Page 22 of A Real Good Bad Thing

“Anything for you,” he said. “And when you wear it, you can feel good about the world. I know that’s important to you. For every diamond that comes from this mine, money goes to help build schools.”

“That’s thoughtful,” I admitted.

Then, I wondered if I was looking at the answer to my questions. Mom said he’d stolen money from his firm. Now, he had jewels.

He had to have hidden that money somehow. Had he ferried the money in gems?

My skin tingled.

He might literally be handing me a clue. “Thank you again,” I said, but a bitter taste settled in my mouth. Had I just accepted a gift purchased with money he’d stolen? How could he do something like that?

“It’s my pleasure. And Willow would love if you could come over for dinner Thursday night.”

“Sure,” I said, trying not to give away my hurt.

“Fantastic. She’s having some friends over too,” he said as he finished his mimosa. Okay, maybethiscould be a good thing. A gaggle of friends could work to my advantage when it came to snooping around.

“I can’t wait to see your new place,” I said.

And to explore it too.

* * *

A few hours later, I glided along the shallow bottom of Happy Turtle Cove, watching bubbles rise through the crystal-blue water.

A pair of turtles paddled through the shallow reef, coming close enough to brush against my leg. Boy, I’d missed these guys over the past year.

When Duke had lashed out with his online smear campaign after our breakup, he’d hit Flamingo Key first, knowing how much I loved it. So cruel. So vindictive.

But in a few days I’d bring a group of Texans here, showing them the world under the water. Maybe I’d get to introduce them to these two turtles. They were, quite honestly, inspiring—and I wouldn’t let the past with Duke poison my beloved cove.

I checked my dive watch. One-fifteen p.m. After last night, I had more than a suspicion he’d come looking for me. I kicked for the shore and stood when I got to the shallows. By the time I’d stowed my snorkel gear, my sexy fisherman was crossing the beach of Happy Turtle Cove at 1:23 p.m.

11

A LIAR’S KISS

Jake

No matter whatArielwas up to with Eli, it was a crime for her to be that hot.

Because…that bikini.

I didn’t stand a chance. It showcased all her assets. Those legs. Those curves. Those gorgeous breasts.

Wave the white flag.I surrender.

“You deciphered my code,” she said as I crossed the sugary white sand.

“I like a challenge,” I told her. I didn’t realize until I’d said it how true it was, on multiple levels. “Pretty clever. Though once I knew that Happy Turtle was a place, I figured the numbers were a time.” I lifted my wrist as if showing her my watch. “One twenty-three, on the dot.”

She glanced at my naked wrist, then her gaze drifted up, lingering on my ink. I’d had it done years ago, and it still brought me some peace.

“Punctuality is super sexy,” she said with a smile that wrinkled her nose.

Could a liar have a smile like that?

She’d had brunch with my target. That might just mean that it was a small world. But I didn’t trust coincidences, and the Rosalinda fiasco had made me wary of beautiful women in the vicinity of my goal.

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