Page 7 of Island Protector

His ideas, the code he’d created, had netted him a fortune before he’d completed his undergrad. The research and opportunities that followed only built up his net worth. Add in his knack for investing, and he was set. The sailing school didn’t need to turn a profit. Ever. Hell, he could quit working today, become a paranoid recluse, and never run out of money.

And he didn’t have anyone to give it to when the Vedras found him.

Deep down, he was convinced he wanted to be found. For revenge, if nothing else. He wanted to handle it—finish it—when they came for him. It was the least that karma owed him after the fiasco of that last op.

“Lucky you,” Jess murmured. Putting on a hard smile, she caught his gaze. “It’s never fun when things go sideways,” she said. “But you survived. You’re here. You could turn the page on the past.”

“Wise words.” Lately, getting to know folks around town,building relationships with his students, making plans for new programs and collaborations took up more headspace than the frustration and anger he’d arrived with.

So he’d lost control of a situation entrusted to him. That wasn’t all his fault. It had been a team effort between the Guardian Agency and a federal task force. They’d put him in because he had the unique skills to be a double agent and take as much intel as he gave.

He’d been good at being someone else.

Until everything imploded.

Yes, his real identity had been exposed, but the Vedras money laundering operation was done. The corporate espionage network that dealt technology and software advances to the highest bidder had come unraveled.

Miles’s efforts had leveled the playing field once more.

For as long as it lasted.

“Why did you come back home?” he asked. He’d heard about her heroics in Key West.

Jess sighed. “Because I needed the quiet. I needed to get my head around what I wanted my career to look like. Unlike you, I don’t have to worry about anyone coming for me. But you are safe here. Safer with every relationship you build.”

There was one person he was interested in building a relationship with: Molly Trumble. Something about her just made him want to get close. But was it fair to her and her son if the Vedras came calling? Could he protect them on his own?

“Maybe. Just taking chances with the tourists.”

“Not alone,” she reminded him sharply. “You’re aware enough to know when someone is out of place.” She studied him. “Are you worried about yourself? Is it the business or your students? Have you encountered someone in particular?”

“All of the above,” he admitted. “Someone in particular is why I’m here,” he said, getting to the point of his visit.

He had Jess’s full attention now. Her brows snappedtogether. “Talk to me. We’re monitoring everything about the Vedras organization. And if anyone is good at interpreting gossip, it’s a girl who grew up in a small town. Getting to you here is not impossible, but it’s way more difficult than if you were hiding out on your own.”

Naturally, she misinterpreted him, though gossip was what brought him here. Even before the Vedras case, he’d established himself as a loner. Some habits were proving nearly unbreakable. “I know.” He tipped his head back and scrubbed at his face. “I know you’re right. But I’m here about?—”

The office door opened, interrupting him. Molly walked in and his thoughts simply evaporated. She looked more stressed than sad, until she recognized him. Surprise, followed by uncertainty pinched her features. He could sympathize. For months he’d wanted to ask her out, only to have doubts creep in that if trouble arrived he wouldn’t be able to protect her or Bryce.

Jess made a small noise in the back of her throat and Miles was sure she’d read him like a book. Even if it wasn’t common knowledge, his attraction to Molly was probably clear to an expert observer like the former cop.

Not that Molly had ever shown much mutual interest. He was sure she only came around the marina to keep her promise to her son. Though he hoped things would change, she might never let him out of the friend zone.

That didn’t mute his desire to help her.

Her gaze darted between Jess and Miles and back. She licked her lips and took a hesitant step forward. “I’m interrupting. Nina… Nevermind. I’ll come back at a better time.”

“Stay,” Jess said. “Miles and I were just catching up. Nina sent me a text that you were on your way.” She glanced at Miles. “Should we pick this up later?”

“Later is good for me.” He pushed to his feet. “I’ll text you about taking Bryce out this weekend,” he said to Molly.

“Wait. Please stay,” Molly said. “You should probably hear this. I don’t think, um… No,” she said firmly. “He can’t go sailing with you.”

That sent his curiosity into high gear. “What do you mean?” He watched her face. She really shouldn’t play poker. Her emotions were too easy to read. If she’d been sad, she was pissed off now and he liked that much better.

Most of the time, he found her in a friendly mood. Always greeting folks around town, being involved and helpful and kind. The only serious anomaly was when he’d shown her his new sailboat back around Halloween. She hadn’t been enthused at all, and so far, there’d been no sign of that status changing. She’d been clear she didn’t share her son’s fascination with the water and boats.

He wanted to ask her out. Take her somewhere nice, just the two of them. He was already attached to her kid and he wanted to know her better. Still, his situation left him cautious about making a romantic move. If some detail slipped through the cracks and the agency lost track of someone gunning for him, Molly and Bryce would be in jeopardy.

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