Her Protector Billionaire Groom

by Taylor Hart

  She walked over, and he was surprised at how he suddenly felt a bit shy.

  He poured the sunscreen into his hands and then applied it to her shoulders and her arms. All of his old attraction to this woman was nothing compared to what he was feeling now. Was it because he’d longed for her for so many years?

  Her vanilla scent was overwhelming, and he gazed into her eyes. Though blue instead of forest green, they were still familiar. Without thinking, he brushed a hair out of her face.

  She pulled away from him. “You can’t do that. You’re my brother.”

  Bam! He was back to real life. Or fake life. He coughed and walked away from her, back to the board. “Get on the board.”

  When she joined him, he checked her feet.

  She laughed. “I’m fine.”

  “Good.” He went into fun brother mode. “So you balance on your board by putting your dominant leg back, which would be your right.” He knew she was right-handed.

  She copied what he was doing.

  “Okay, actually, let’s have you start on your stomach.” He dropped to a push-up position.

  She grunted and then got down more slowly. “Show-off.”

  His eyes met hers, and all that flirtiness returned. He grinned. “Okay, when you’re out there, the most important thing is balance.”

  She smiled back.

  “Are you hearing me?”

  “Just get on with it.”

  But he couldn’t help it. He wanted to tease her, frustrate her. When was the last time he’d wanted to tease and frustrate a woman?

  She pushed his shoulder. “Parker.”

  That made him even happier. He liked her touching him. “Fine.”

  He spent the next half hour going through all the steps of how to surf; then they were out in the water. He was surprised by how fast she caught on.

  “Up!” he shouted as a wave came.

  She popped up, and he pushed the surfboard as hard as he could to give her some extra momentum. They’d done it three times so far, and she was getting the hang of it.

  She got up and rode the board for a couple of seconds before falling off.

  He caught the next wave in. As he went by her, she shouted, “Show-off!”

  He laughed, loving her competitive side. He got on his board and paddled out. “Link up,” he called out. They’d been practicing this.

  “Okay.”

  He paused and scooted back on his board, put the toe of his surf shoe on her board, and then easily paddled farther. He’d learned all of these techniques to help people over the years. Since he had the Surf and Soup, he’d taught surfing to anyone willing to learn. As long as you had a board, it was free. He had a passion for it.

  The Surf and Soup. His heart plunged. How was he going to keep it open? He needed to make some more calls. This mission hadn’t come at the best time.

  Or had it? Suddenly, it felt like Jack Kelly was laughing at him. Had the old man somehow known he’d find Ari? No. That was stupid. Ridiculous. How could he possibly know? Still, Parker couldn’t argue how strange it was: the gauntlet had been laid down to get married by Christmas, and the woman he’d been searching for his whole life had just reappeared.

  “Parker!” she shouted, pulling him from his thoughts. “Is that a good wave?”

  When he turned back, he saw the wave was going to crush them. “Go under!” he shouted.

  Chapter 17

  “You almost killed me!” Ari accused as they walked out of the hotel lobby. They’d gone back to their suite, showered, and changed, and now they were going out to shop.

  Putting a hand to his chest, Parker gave her a look of mock horror. “I almost killed both of us.”

  She giggled, and he burst out laughing. How long had it been since she’d laughed like this—for real, not as a cover?

  He coughed and looked around, scanning the street. “I looked up where the best shops are while you were getting ready. We need to go this way.” He pointed to the right, and they moved in that direction. As they walked, he leaned close and said, “I just got a message that Carlos has arrived, and Jose is meeting with him right now. So I guess he will be at the dinner tonight.”

  “Tonight?” She stiffened.

  He turned to her. “You okay?”

  Of course she was okay. She was just feeling the whiplash of switching from happy mode to take down Carlos mode. “Don’t we need your friend Chuck to give us communications stuff?”

  Parker nodded while he began texting.

  It was strange how much her life had changed in just twenty-four hours. “It’s weird, isn’t it?”

  Parker cocked an eyebrow but didn’t look away from the screen. “A lot of life is weird right now. You have to be more specific than that.”

  “The man I was going to kill last night, I’m going to be hanging out with this week.”

  Parker pulled all of his attention from his phone and faced her. “You’re going to be fine.”

  “I know.” It was nerve-racking, though. She walked faster, trying not to get wrapped up in all the reasons why this was a bad idea. She thought of her father and the knife in his chest. “This man killed my father.” She scoffed. “He killed both of my parents. This man doesn’t deserve to be walking around at a beach resort and having dinner parties.” She sucked in a breath, ordering herself to keep it together.

  Parker reached out, squeezing her hand.

  For a moment she was paralyzed, and she stopped walking. She yanked her hand back. “You can’t do that.”

  He tugged off his sunglasses. “I know. Listen, I don’t like it either. Believe me, I want him to get justice too.”

  She knew he was telling the truth. When they were young, that was what he liked the most about the Bureau: that he could get justice for good people who had been harmed by criminals. She stared at his hand; he had taken hers so easily.

  Part of her wanted to joke about the attraction burning between them. But she didn’t know how to do that yet. Surfing with the man had been intense. Sure, she’d watched him from a distance, but being so close to him was hard. And with his shirt off… Keeping her head in the Jose and Carlos game was torture.

  In an attempt to distract herself, she pointed to the pier to their left. “Oh my gosh, I love Ferris wheels.”

  A half smile formed on Parker’s face. “Remember that Ferris wheel at Elitch Gardens we went to in Denver?”

  Of course she did; it was exactly what she was thinking about. “That was a good day.”

  “Ferris wheel. That will be our code word.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That’s the code word if you need to get out ASAP. Like someone is going to hurt you.”

  “I like it. Oh, and hot dogs.”

  He laughed. “What is that for?”

  “Hot dogs is the word if I just need help. Like I need you to help me know what to say or something.”

  He grinned. “I like code words.”

  She shrugged and made to enter a fancy dress shop. “You always have.” She thought of the times they’d be walking into some party in high school and he would tell her a code word they could use if either of them wanted to leave.

  Parker took her by the arm, pulling her back.

  “What?”

  He searched her face. “You have to remember that while you are here, you have to turn things up a notch with Jose. I don’ like it, I’ve learned from undercover ops that you have to be all in. Can you do that?”

  Her stomach twisted, but she stayed firm. If this was the way to get information that could take down Carlos, she would do it. “Yeah.”

  “So be what Jose needs you to be.” He gestured to the dresses. Then he grimaced and turned for the door. “I just can’t watch it.”

  Around eight, there was a knock at the door. Ari was ready, wearing a satin short sleeved dress, with a plunging neckline that Parker said he really didn’t like—which meant it was perfect.

  His friend, Chuck, had come to the
room and given her the lowdown on communications. Surprisingly, there wasn’t much too them. Just a tiny black dot-looking thing that Chuck attached right inside her ear. It was connected to her phone, so as long as she had her phone, she’d be good. She could hear Parker, and of course, everyone could hear her and her conversations.

  Parker, still playing the fun-loving, somewhat flaky brother, was on the couch with his feet up, watching some game on TV.

  She answered the door.

  Jose stood there, dressed in a very nice suit.

  He let out a low moan. “Mi chica, you look beautiful.”

  She grinned and fell into her shy bimbo role. “And you’re handsome.” She leaned in and kissed each of his cheeks.

  He held her close and planted a slow kiss on her lips.

  “Bye!” Parker called out, waving at them over the top of the couch, his eyes still glued to the screen but his mouth drawn up in a thin line.

  When they arrived on the rooftop restaurant, Ari’s eye was drawn to about twenty couples around a huge table. She recognized many of them, because she’d helped coordinate information for Jose so he would know how to use them as part of his money laundering operations—or rather, “benefit foundation”.

  Jose walked around and introduced her to his business cohorts. Much to her relief, she wasn’t nervous to see Carlos. She had been the other night, but he clearly hadn’t recognized her at all.

  Carlos took her hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes lingered on hers, then swept up and down her body like he wanted to eat her. “And we meet again.”

  Immense revulsion swept through her. “I’ve long waited for this moment.” Except she’d imagined she would be shooting at him, stabbing him with a knife. “You’re such an amazing man.” She gave him a flirtatious grin.

  Carlos froze, then lifted a lip. “Well.” He turned to Jose.

  Jose shook his finger at the mob boss. “No. No. Ellas es mi novia.”

  Both men laughed.

  She knew that novia meant girlfriend. He was claiming her. Like she was a piece of property and not even a person. She ignored the chauvinistic display of women as showpieces and sat next to Jose, her smile still firmly in place. She really didn’t like that Carlos was right across from her with his date. He was so close, but still out of reach. For now, she kept her performance up.

  “Good evening, everyone,” Jose said, standing and dinging the glass in front of him with his spoon. “Tonight, I want to give a toast to all of you for coming out to make sure the state of California can still benefit from the gracious benefactor Carlos Fuentes.”

  Everyone held up their glasses.

  “Oh, boy,” Parker said into her ear.

  There he was. He’d been so quiet, she was worried her gadgets weren’t working.

  “Let’s have a good time, and after we eat, we will talk about plans for expansion on the … charity organizations.” Jose lifted the glass higher, a sly smile on his lips. “To Carlos Fuentes.”

  The whole group mimicked him. “Carlos Fuentes.”

  Carlos stood, smiling. “And to the soon-to-be governor Sanchez.”

  More applause accompanied the clinking of glasses.

  Ari managed to swallow her need to hurl, and she pressed the glass to her lips without actually drinking from it.

  “Keep yourself together,” Parker said into her ear.

  His commentary made her smile as she put her glass down.

  Carlos caught her eye, winking at her. “You seem happy tonight, señorita.”

  Ari cast a glance at Jose; he was talking to one of the workers who was bringing in the food. “I am.”

  Carlos nodded at her, leering. “What did you do today?”

  Keep it casual. Killing him would be satisfying but taking down other men like him would be even more so. She could make sure no other daughters lost their fathers as she had. “I had a good day at the beach.”

  “Ah,” he said. He set his napkin on his lap and picked up his fork and knife to cut into the steak. “I love the beach. What did you do?”

  She actually relaxed as she thought about spending the day with Parker. “I learned to surf.”

  At this, Carlos grinned at her. “That is quite an accomplishment.”

  “Thank you. It was hard, but I loved it.”

  The woman next to Carlos put her hand over his possessively and let out a laugh. “Sweetheart, we should take surf lessons.”

  Carlos ignored her, keeping his focus on Ari. “Do you think I should? Could I have the same instructor you had?”

  “Heck no,” Parker said into her ear.

  Ari grinned. Carlos’s question felt a bit too prying, but she tried not to hesitate. “Actually, you might be able to. My freeloading brother got dumped by his girlfriend, so is hanging out with me this week. He’d probably teach you if I asked.”

  “Nice,” Parker whispered in her ear. “Yes, can I please give the man a surf lesson?” His voice sounded dangerous, but protective.

  Carlos gave her a sweeping look, the kind that told her he was imagining her in a swimsuit … or not. “Would you come?”

  She knew she was blushing. He probably thought he was flattering, but she found him disturbing.

  Jose suddenly butted in. “Would she come where?”

  Carlos didn’t seem to be worried about hitting on Jose’s woman. “Oh, nowhere. She was telling me about her surfing lessons today. I just wondered if I should try it.” He met Jose’s gaze in some sort of macho staring contest.

  The woman next to Carlos put her hand out to Ari, leaning across the table. “I’m Lucia.” She seemed embarrassed by her date’s actions. “I think maybe all of us should do a surf lesson together.”

  The suggestion felt strange, like maybe they weren’t talking about surfing.

  Ari shook her hand but didn’t respond. Carlos flashed Lucia a grin and kissed the back of her hand. “You’re too good to me.”

  Jose’s expression soured into disgust. He put his hand over Ari’s. “I don’t think I want a joint surf lesson.”

  Holy crap, Ari didn’t like this at all. She coughed. “Hot dogs.”

  Carlos frowned at her. “What?”

  “It’s okay, Ari,” Parker said in her ear. “You’re doing fine. Talk about the food.”

  “Don’t you just wish for a hot dog some nights?” She stuffed a piece of steak into her mouth. It seemed to be a good change of topic.

  Carlos nodded. “I do wish for hot dogs some nights.” He smiled at Lucia. “We eat a lot of fancy dinners.”

  Lucia pushed her lips into a pout; she obviously had them worked on. “Poor baby.”

  They all laughed.

  Jose turned the conversation to business, and Ari was glad for the change of topic, even though she knew all the charitable organizations and business talk were a cover for criminal enterprises.

  Parker spoke onto the earpiece after a bit. “You’re doing great.”

  It was actually comforting to know he was right there, helping her. Her throat tightened, and she looked down. Sure, when her father had been with her, they’d done just fine, but she’d been so lonely since he’d been taken from her.

  “Do you plan to live here in California forever, Sabrina?” Carlos asked her after a while.

  She blinked and looked up at him, not really processing the words. Seeing him sitting there, her hand itched to pick up the butter knife next to her and impale him with it. It would be like one of those action movies where she just stabs them right in the chest, or maybe a vein in his neck, and blood gushes everywhere while she heroically makes her escape.

  “Sabrina?”

  She jerked her head toward Jose. Had she missed something?

  In her ear, Parker laughed. “Carlos just asked where you want to live in California in the future.”

  Ari gave Carlos a little smile. “I guess I will always love living by the beach. Right now, I have an apartment, but I would love a beach house.”

  Carlos nodded tow
ard Jose. “You like working for this man?”

  She gave Jose a huge grin. “I love it. I give my best service to the state of California and to this man. All of his goals and dreams, and everything he envisions that will make this an amazing state, make me want to help as best as I can.”

  Carlos looked skeptical, maybe angry. He quickly smoothed it over with a smile at Jose. “Looks like you have a good woman.” He held up a drink to Jose in a little toast.

  She held the man’s gaze. “Where do you live, Carlos?”

  “I’ve actually been living in Paris this past year.”

  Ari focused on him, trying to play both men at once. “Oh, I love Paris. I’ve never been, but I studied art history for a semester in college, and I am fascinated by the Louvre and the hidden paintings in the basement.”

  “Ah, yes.” His eyebrows pumped. “I have been to the Louvre many times, and my favorites are the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.”

  “Oh, tell me about what it feels like to be in the Louvre,” she gushed.

  Carlos chuckled and began a dramatic story about the feel of the Louvre, the smell and the vibe in the air. Of course, being a billionaire, he got personal tours and he loved it. As he talked, Ari got the sense he was less interested in the art than attention he received as a VIP.

  “Nice job,” Parker whispered.

  Ari turned up the charm. “Tell me more about Paris. Where is your favorite place to eat?”

  Carlos reached across the table and touched her hand; Jose tensed. “My favorite place is a hidden boutique Italian restaurant that has a patio facing the Seine river.” Carlos smiled at her, ignoring Jose’s obvious disapproval.

  The rest of the meal went like that, with Carlos eating out of her hand and Jose shooting daggers at his benefactor with his eyes.

  Jose ended up giving a presentation to the whole table about all of the different ways he would help charities in California thrive if he won the position as governor.

  At the end of his presentation, Jose said to the group, “Now it's time for dancing. We have a beautiful dance floor. Make sure you use it.” He quickly took Ari’s hand and excused them.