Page 63 of Safe and Sound

“With his money, he could’ve paid to have the negative shit about him wiped off the internet.”

“I didn’t do a deep dive on him. Just a quick search.”

“What a nightmare,” I groaned.

“Stop overreacting. Dare will never know that I told some random chick that you two were dating. In the meantime, you get to look less like Sad Sap Sally in front of the town.”

I laughed in spite of myself. “You better be glad I love you.”

He winked. “Doesn’t everyone?”

“Okay, Mr. Ego, I’m going to work in the back room.”

“Shake those tits and ass,” he teased.

“Fuck my life,” I muttered as I walked past him.

Chapter Fourteen: Dare

Although it pissed me off to no end, I allowed James to follow me to the outskirts of Boston. Once he was satisfied that no one was hiding out on the interstate to ambush me like something out of theGodfather, he pulled over and turned around.

Without James on my tail, I gunned the engine of my Porsche 911. That had been another sticking point with my bodyguards. They’d wanted me to drive one of the bulletproof SUVs. But I refused. I rarely got my sports car out of the city.

After arriving in Gloucester, I followed the GPS directions to Taverna by the Sea–the restaurant that Ava’s parents owned. Traffic was a nightmare with the town’s Greek Festival goingon. I had to park two blocks away from the restaurant and walk down.

When I made my way up the hostess stand, an elderly man stood stacking menus. He glanced up before giving me a welcoming smile. “Good evening. How many?”

“Actually, I’m just here to see someone.”

After putting down the menus, he said, “Who are you looking for?”

“Ava Carras.”

Tension coiled in his body. “What do you need with her?” he demanded.

Although I wanted to argue that it was none of his business, I imagined he was just being protective of Ava. “We had a date last night, and I didn’t get her number.”

He eyed me suspiciously before proclaiming, “Ava wasn’t in town last night.”

“I know. She was in Boston.” Winking at him, I added, “With me.”

As he continued scrutinizing me, a familiar voice boomed behind him. “Pappoúli, we just cleared out another four-top.”

When I glanced past the man, Ava’s nephew, Nick, came striding up to the hostess stand. At the sight of me, Nick’s eyes bulged wide. “Dare?”

Extending my hand, I said, “Hey man.”

“What the hell are you doing in Gloucester?”

With a grin, I said, “Trying to woo your aunt.”

His eyes popped wide. “Really?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good for you, man.”

“So, he really does know Ava?” the old man asked.

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