Page 47 of Battle Lines

“You don’t remember my name, do you?” The teasing warmth was a definitive means of flirting.

“You didn’t offer it,” Milo reminded her and she chuckled. The laughter and the light touch of her hand to his other arm seemed to offer a hint of possessiveness.

Amusement danced in her eyes as she focused on me and then past us to where Grandfather presumably waited. “Waldemar,” she said easily, the emphasis on the hint of Eastern European accent to her name suggested it probably affected the spelling. “Margreta Waldemar.”

“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Waldemar.” He was being downright charming. I could kiss him. “This is Elaine Benedict, and her grandfather, Leopold Benedict.”

“Miss Benedict,” she said, returning her attention to me. I had to let go of Milo’s arm to shake her hand. She was almost effervescent in her smile. This close…there was something familiar about her yet I just couldn’t place it. Then she turned to Grandfather. “Mr. Benedict.”

“Ma’am,” he said, shaking her hand briefly. “We’ve met.”

“We have?” The coyness was a play; she wasn’t surprised even if she faked it. “I’m sorry, I don’t recall.”

“It was a few months ago,” Grandfather told her. “Just another event…”

“Ah,” she said, her expression shifting. “I go to so many.”

He didn’t though.

“Well, it was lovely to meet you,” I said. “But we have a tee time.”

“Absolutely, I don’t want to hold you up. Maybe we can have tea another time, Miss Benedict, Mr. Benedict.” She turned. “Mr. Hardigan.”

I shook my head as she strolled away and as I turned, I caught Adam staring daggers out the window. Right. After Ezra’s visit the other night, I didn’t have it in me to deal with Adam’s attitude.

Just no.

Facing Milo, I met his concerned gaze. I squeezed his hand as he took mine. I was fine. He didn’t believe me, yet he nodded all the same.

“Come along,” Grandfather said. “You’re with me, Mr. Hardigan. Maybe I can teach you a thing or two while I beat my granddaughter.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Milo said as he glimpsed down at me. “Are we allowed to wager on these matches?”

Surprise flashed through me. We neared the first hole as the group playing began to move on.

“What did you have in mind?” Grandfather asked him.

“Small stakes, but a lot of faith,” Pretty Boy said. “How about a hundred on Lainey?”

Grandfather raised his eyebrows and glanced at me before flicking a look at Karagiani then back to Milo. “You’re on, Mr. Hardigan.”

“Good,” Milo said. “No throwing the match for her.”

“I would never.” Grandfather wouldn’t. He’d much rather I won fair and square.

So would I.

They even shook on it.

ChapterSeventeen

BODHI

The sunrise over the beach offered a captivating view. My flight landed before dawn, giving me plenty of time to acquire a rental vehicle and drive out here. My last trip to the Cayman Islands had been when I was a teenager.

Pretty girls in bikinis. Dolphins. Turtles. Nipping some rum before going dancing. I didn’t pay much attention to the island itself.

The breeze tugged at my shirt. I’d gone with island fashion. It was easier to blend in if I looked like I belonged here. I even had a fishing hat. Watching the sunrise while sipping coffee and perched on the hood of the rental car offered a rare moment of perfect peace.

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