Page 13 of Criminology of a Character

“You didn’t see his new face.” Bel sat up, curling her legs like a butterfly beneath her as she pinned him with her certainty. “The changes to his features were so drastic that I didn’t recognize him until he spoke that phrase. His face was wholly and completely changed, and I doubt Botox can produce those results. I realize my conviction is ridiculous because surgery healing time is longer than a week, but I know what I saw.”

“Which is why you asked Hyde if they could reduce your scarring.” Eamon lifted his hand and trailed a finger down a faint pink scar that kissed the curve of her breast. “You wanted to know if the clinic was capable of performing complicated procedures.”

“Which they aren’t.”

“Or so they say.”

“I believe them, though,” Bel said. “Facelifts and rhinoplasties require more work and longer recovery times. They’re not exactly vacation procedures, and the only reason to hide the ability to perform them is if they knew who Gianni was. If they’d known they’d changed the face of the most wanted man in America, I doubt Hyde would’ve been so eager to show me the clinic. If he were hiding something, he would’ve immediately recommended Frank Victors, but he practically begged for me to come back in the morning. That’s either a man without concern or a man cocky enough to flaunt the truth in front of a detective.”

“So, who changed his face? I paid attention to the doctors at dinner. They’re all talented, and the island’s privacy would allow them the freedom to work in secret, but I detected nothing. And to quote you, a week isn’t a long enough healing time.”

“That’s the part that bugs me. Although you once gave me a potion that healed my fatal wounds, and the flesh on your back regrew in a matter of minutes, so a week is nothing when certain forces are at play. There’s a reason Gianni made his way to this island for that procedure. I just need to find out why.”

“No.” Eamon’s voice was too firm, and Bel leaned back with a glare. “I mean it, Isobel.” He sat up, shifting in the sheets so he could stare into her eyes. “You’re here as a vacationing civilian, not a detective. Alessandro Gianni is a dangerous man, and I don’t want you involved with a case that isn’t yours. You don’t need a target on your back.”

“Eamon—”

“Calling Barry about what you witnessed and asking Hyde about beauty treatments are one thing, but if you go hunting for the doctor who helped a mob boss disappear, the Gianni family will label you an enemy. I’m not letting the mafia put a hit on you. We’re on vacation because you need a break. It stays that way.”

“So, you want me to do nothing?” She shifted backward, putting distance between them.

“You already did something.” Eamon inched forward, refusing her attempt at separation. “You’ve done more than anyone. You alerted the FBI to his surgery, and now law enforcement has the upper hand. He’s not aware they know the truth. He’s probably back home celebrating his triumph, completely unaware you ruined his plans. You helped, but I can’t let you throw yourself into his line of fire. Not when this isn’t your job.”

“I know you’re right.” She collapsed forward, her forehead falling against his bare chest, and Eamon instinctively wrapped her in his protective embrace. “I just hate letting men like him go. The things his family has done. I witnessed those horrors with my own eyes, so in a way, it feels like my case.”

“I love you for always doing the right thing, but this is where my selfishness comes into play.” Eamon kissed her head before inhaling the shampoo scent on her hair. “You aren’t here in a legal or official capacity, so while I understand the desire to help, I’m afraid of the cost. What price will you pay if you pry into the wrong places and the Gianna family learns your name? People like that don’t let people like you live, and while they’ll find it impossible to get through me, there are other ways to punish you. Ten ways, to be exact.”

“Ten?” Bel started to ask, but she froze when the realization dawned on her. Five sisters. Two beloved coworkers. One close friend. One father, and a cherished dog… not to mention her brothers-in-law or her nieces and nephews. There were more than ten ways to punish her, and she would rather die than put her family in the line of fire.

“What are you thinking for lunch?”Eamon rolled over and laid his head on Bel’s stomach, the sand caught in his hair tickling her bare skin. They were the only ones on this secluded beach, and they’d put their privacy to good use.

“Something quick? Something fancy? You?” He kissed her belly, and she squirmed below him.

“I’m going to be out of shape when we get home.” She laughed as she slid her fingers through his still-damp hair.“The food here is amazing, and allwe do is eat.”

“That’s what you’re supposed to do on vacation.”

“I know, but getting back into the swing of things will be rough. The most exercise I’ve done here is swim.” Their vacation was rapidly approaching its end, and Bel had listened to Eamon’s warning. She’d ignored her detective’s nature andthrew herself into enjoying their final days. She hated admitting it, but he was right.Thiswasn’t her case or jurisdiction, and herfamily was too important to risk.Eamon would protect her with his life, but the Giannis’ pockets ran deep. It would take one call to a corrupt NYPD officer to find the Emersons.

“Did you want to do something?” he asked. “I’ve been craving a run.”

“You should’ve gone.”

“When we get home, you’ll move back into your cabin, and if you catch another case,your days will be occupied. While we’re here, I prefer to spend all my time with you, and I assumed you wanted to chill.”

“I did,” she agreed. “Until our‘swim’wore me out.” She blushed at the memory of what they’d just enjoyed in the water, and Eamon glanced up at her with a heated gaze. “Now,I’m thinkingI need to move before I end up ridiculously sore when I go back to exercising.”

“In your defense, if you hadn’t been out of breath after that‘swim’,I’d be offended.” Eamon kissed a trail up her chest to her lips before he pulled her to a seat. “But I recall asking you to join me for a run a few months ago. What do you say we revisit that request?”

“Me, run with you? Yeah right. I could never keep up.”

“I’ll go slow,” he begged. “Come on, humor your poor boyfriend… that is if I am your boyfriend?”

“You’d better be after what we just did.” She slapped his chest, and he caught her wrist and pulled her in for a kiss. “Even if boyfriend is an odd term for a man old enough to have possibly inspired Mr. Darcy.”

“I agree. Girlfriend doesn’t adequately describe the woman who’s become my home, but until the English language invents a better word, that’s what I want you to be. I assumed we were exclusive, but I wanted to confirm you felt the same.”

“Well, boyfriend.” Her face screwed up, and they both laughed until they werewheezing. “Okay, I’m done. I can’t call you that, even if it’s what you are. So, Eamon,I guessI’ll humor you with a run, but you better keep your promise and go slow. Otherwise, I’ll never exercise with you again.”

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