Page 2 of Shadowed Agenda

Great. Just great.

With her luck, his former SEAL training had given him psionic hearing like Superman, and he’d heard every word they’d said.

Regan didn’t know what was worse—a private book signing for Mrs. Aster or spending a week on tour with Pavlo Barislov.

Deep into writing her newest novel, Regan had left most of her email unopened, including the email with the detailed schedule of events Isla had sent and the updated schedule. She’d assumed Isla would have phoned her if there’d been major changes. She’d assumed wrong.

When Isla had first approached her, there’d been no mention of promoting Pavlo’s upcoming movie as part of the joint venture.

Isla had counted on her tuning out the real world while she wrote. It was how Regan coped when the ideas came faster than she could get them down on the page. The only breaks she took were to care for her daughter.

When Regan had balked at the idea of a five-day book tour with Pavlo, Isla had pulled out the detailed schedule. It clearly statedevents subject to change. The authors were referred to by initials only. Regan suspected it was a deliberate move, so even if she had read it, she would have assumed it was another romance writer. She wondered if Pavlo had fallen for Isla’s trick. It could explain why he’d accepted.

Isla claimed they were a perfect match for the book tour. They hadchemistry.

It wasn’t the word Regan would have used. She’d have saidphysics, like two magnets repelling each other.

The man had taken offense during the first book talk when Regan had gently pointed out that all the women in his books occupied minor roles. He’d glanced at her and raised an eyebrow before politely listing other bestselling authors in his genre who could be accused of the same thing.

Regan wasn’t fooled by Pavlo’s calm appearance and the sexy smile he flashed. Women drooled over the tall, handsome man who, according to the e-zineCheck it Out, was one of America’s top 100 eligible bachelors. He didn’t affect her. Okay, maybe a little. The man’s body was all hard muscle, and his ass… It was impossible to ignore. But she had his number. Pavlo Barislov was every bit the alpha male found in his books.

Those types of men were on herdo not date EVERlist. Regan would not repeat her past mistakes and let a man control her life. She intended to stay as far away from Pavlo as she could. He was nothing but trouble.

As far as Regan was concerned, the five-day tour was Isla’s worst idea.

Pavlo sauntered over to them, not a crease in his navy suit. Regan hadn’t had time to pass the travel iron over her dress. She cringed internally. Thiswas notsomething she wanted to discuss in front of him.

“Everything all right, ladies?” he asked, his voice deep and as smooth as melted chocolate. Regan ignored the little shiver that danced down her spine.

“We’re finalizing the arrangements for Regan’s private book signing Friday afternoon,” Isla said.

“I’m not doing it, Isla,” Regan said firmly.

“Why not?” Pavlo asked, looking at her and raising an eyebrow. Regan had learned that Pavlo never wasted words.

Isla remained silent, her lips pinched into a thin line, and her eyes narrowed in anger.

“The private book signing is with Senator Aster’s wife,” Regan replied, her stomach clenching as she prepared to defend her decision. She’d pegged Pavlo as one of the Senator’s supporters. It didn’t matter. She was not doing the private book signing.

“I’d make the same decision.” Pavlo turned to Isla. “I didn’t see that on the revised schedule of events you sent last week.”

Regan shifted nervously. Revised schedule? She’d missed that email, too. She wondered if there was something else Isla had slipped past her.

“The possibility of a private book signing was noted at the end of the document,” Isla replied curtly.

“The Senator’s schedule is planned well in advance. I’m surprised you could arrange something at the last minute,” Pavlo said, skepticism in his voice. Regan was surprised he was challenging Isla’s truthfulness.

“The Senator and his wife will be in town for a meeting. Mrs. Aster is a Regan Christenson fan. When the Senator heard Regan was staying at the same hotel, his staff contacted me, requesting the private book signing. Their anniversary is coming, and he thought it’d be nice to surprise her.” The challenging tone in Isla’s voice matched Pavlo’s, daring him to question her further. “This is an opportunity Regan can’t afford to pass up.”

Regan snorted. This signing was an opportunity Isla couldn’t afford to pass up. It would look impressive on her resume.

Pavlo raised an eyebrow, not convinced Isla had shared all the details.

Before he could speak, the stage manager interrupted them. “You’re on in two minutes.” He motioned for Pavlo and Regan to follow him.

Pavlo gestured to her to precede him. One thing she had to admit, the man was always a gentleman.

Regan noticed Pavlo’s glance back at Isla as they approached the stage. A brief, imperceptible frown replaced his habitual smile. It was gone so quickly, Regan wondered if she’d imagined it. The vein throbbing in his neck said she hadn’t. Regan wondered what she’d missed.

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