Page 6 of Price of Paradise

“Are you certain you lost it? Maybe someone took it.”

Her gaze widened. “You think?”

Gunner shrugged, then sat next to her. “I’ve never known you to be careless.”

“I was drinking though.” She’d only had two pina coladas and they’d been pretty weak on the alcohol. Had it been enough to cause her to be reckless with her things?

“You aren’t drunk,” he chastised, patting her thigh. “Did you notice anyone suspicious when you were at the pool?”

“No, not really,” she said, before recalling an odd moment with the waiter.

He nudged her with his knee. “What is it?”

“The waiter. John. Kept hanging around. I thought he was flirting at first, but…I don’t know.”

He stood, then ground out, “Come on, we’re going to speak to the hotel manager.”

“Whoa, we can’t go around accusing someone with no proof, Gunner.”

“No accusations,” he clarified, “but we are going to ask some questions.”

“Like what? Hey, does John the Waiter have sticky fingers?”

He glared down at her. “No, smartass. I want to find out if your wallet is an isolated incident."

"I doubt they’re going to tell us anything. It would look bad on them to admit they have a problem with theft.” She tilted her head. “Hold up. What are you even doing here?”

“Later for that,” he answered, grabbing her hand. “Let’s get this out of the way first.”

“Fine, but I’m going to need answers.” She picked up her keycard and let him lead her out of the room. Gunner was in Miami and there could only be one reason for that. Her. And just what did she want to do about that tidbit of information?

****

An hour and some change later, Mae was back in her room with Gunner. He hadn’t only gotten answers, but also a refund on her room and complimentary drinks for the duration of her stay. He’d been something else to watch. The manager offered his sincere apologies and explained that Mae’s wallet was definitely not an isolated case. A security camera had caught the waiter lifting her wallet, a woman’s purse, and one man’s watch. Police had been called and John was escorted off the property.

“I’m glad you got your wallet back, but I’m sorry about the cash,” Gunner murmured.

She tilted her head and watched him. “Are you kidding? I never would’ve gotten any of it back if not for you. You saved the day, Gunner. Really.”

“I’m glad I could help,” he replied, shifting from one foot to the other. “What are your plans for the day?”

“No way, buster,” she warned. “You aren’t getting off that easily.”

“Huh?”

“Why are you in Miami?” Mae asked, not even bothering to hide her annoyance. “And what about Viola?”

“I handled that. She’s taking the week off and I’ve paid her double for the trouble.”

“Jesus, Gunner, why would you do that?” His gaze shifted away, and Mae lost her temper. “Gunner!”

He cursed under his breath, then bit out, “you left.”

Had the man had a stroke while she’d been gone? “I…I’m on vacation,” she slowly explained. “People do take vacation, you know.”

He ran a hand through his thick black hair. The gesture was so unlike him. Gunner was always calm, always in control. She took a moment to really look him over, noticing the stubble on his chiseled jawline. His normally crisp white dress shirt had wrinkles and appeared as if it’d been slept in. Her heart raced. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

Gunner glared down at her. “Yes, my assistant abandoned me.”

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