Chapter Sixteen
The Harrisons’ private jet landed on the small island to drop off and pick up.
Val stepped forward to greet Mr. and Mrs. Evans. The retired Marine met his eyes and offered a firm handshake. “Thank you for coming.”
“How’s Meg?” Judy Evans didn’t bother with pleasantries.
“Moaning that I’m making her leave.”
Rick Evans had a catchy smile. “Feeling better, then.”
“Much.” He walked them toward the golf cart that would drive them to the villa. “I’m sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances.”
“I’m happy someone is using their head. Meg can be difficult when she sets her mind to something.”
Val had been told that Judy and Meg were the best of friends and had been since college. Obviously, the woman knew her friend well.
“It’s a short drive,” Val told them. “It shouldn’t take long to have everything ready to go.”
Outside Meg’s villa, two golf carts were loaded with luggage. After they parked, Judy jumped out and worked her way into the villa.
Rick held back to talk to Val privately. “The reason for my presence here is only between you and me.”
“We can trust my security,” Val insisted.
“I’m sure you do, Mr. Masini.”
“Val, please.”
“Trust is earned, not given.”
Val conceded with a nod.
They walked in together and overheard Judy arguing with her friend. “You’re pale. A vampire has better color.”
“I don’t want anyone scaring me into changing my life.”
Judy placed her hands on her hips. “Are you forgetting who you’re talking to?”
“This isn’t the same thing, Judy. No one threatened me.”
Val would disagree with that. So did the others in the room. “Some guy wearing a hoodie and hiding his face corners you in an empty hall, and no one threatened you? Before someone gets hurt sounds like a threat to me.” Michael was pissed. “You ended up in the ER, Meg. We’re leaving, you’re coming with us, and that’s it!”
Margaret rubbed her chest and released a few coughs. Something Val had noticed a lot since she returned from the hospital. He stepped in. “Can everyone give us a few minutes, please?”
Ryder and Michael walked out the back door. Rick grabbed the last suitcase in the room and pulled Judy with him.
“Cara.” He took her by the hand and sat her on the couch. “What can you really do here?”
“I can help you find who’s behind this.”
Not without risking your own safety, he wanted to tell her. “You’re a beautiful distraction that will keep me from finding him. You heard the doctor, you need to rest and give the medication time to do its job.”
“I feel fine.” She punctuated her fineness with a cough. “Damn it,” she mumbled.
He decided to twist her arm to convince her to concede. “Gabi is looking forward to visiting Los Angeles and finding the perfect gown for her wedding. She hasn’t been off the island in some time. You can help me trace the e-mails, find their origin easier with the help of your friends. Michael will be safe from prying eyes.”
Meg stared at him, seeing through his tactics. “You’re playing dirty.”
“Do you trust your friend Rick?”
“Of course.”
“Then he can help me here. And when we have something, I’ll come to you.” He kissed the tips of her fingers. “I want more of you,” he whispered.
“Now you’re really playing dirty.”
He leaned forward and kissed her, briefly. He didn’t dare risk more and shorten her breath. When he pulled away, he noted her half-closed lids and sighed. No, he wasn’t done with her . . . not anywhere close.
He tucked a loose hair behind her ear, waited for her to open her eyes.
“I’ll go.” She slowly opened her eyes.
Alonzo stood beside Gabi outside the plane. They stood much closer than they had the night before, his sister smiled up at her fiancé before he pulled her in for a tender kiss.
Val looked away, giving them the privacy he could.
“Thank you for everything.” Michael shook Val’s hand. “We’ll be in touch.”
Ryder said his good-byes as well before the two men boarded. Judy kissed her husband and followed her brother.
“Call me when you land.”
Margaret offered a frown. “If I felt even a tiny bit better, I wouldn’t be leaving. I think you should know that.”
He smiled for the both of them. “Noted.”
“Hey, Meg? Are we going or what?” Judy yelled from the hatch of the airplane.
“I gotta go.”
Right.
Val stepped into her space, flattened her body to his, and lowered his lips. The kiss would have to do for a while, so he took it.
“The majority of investigative work is anticlimactic and frustrating.” Rick Evans looked up from the surveillance cameras and lifted his index finger. “Eventually, however, someone makes a mistake and that’s when we find our guy.”
“No offense, Rick, but you don’t strike me as a kind of guy to sit around frustrated for long.”
The phone in Rick’s pocket rang, reminding Val that he hadn’t yet heard from Margaret.
“Hey, babe.”
“No, he’s right here.”
Val tuned into the conversation when Rick made eye contact.
“No. I’ll tell him. Yeah, I will. Love you, too.”
Rick put his phone back in his pocket and started tapping on the keyboard again. “That was Judy. They made it back OK. Meg’s wiped out and already in bed.”
His heart ached at the thought.
Rick hit enter with a grand gesture and turned in his seat. “Back to my sitting around? You’re right. Sitting sucks. All that data is en route to Russell. My man loves to sit, fiddle, and find. He’ll follow the e-mails, watch your feeds, look for anything out of place.”
Val felt his left eye twitch. “All my camera feeds are off the island?”
“You can still access them here.”
Val wrapped a hand around his own neck.
“Easy, Val. I understand security.”
“So does Lou.” His main guy was briefing their on-island team on Rick’s presence and working on the install of more cameras in the service corridors.
“Good thing about another set of eyes. Russell doesn’t know Lou from you. He’s going to question everything he sees. Whoever we’re dealing with knows the island, knows your rules, procedures, and has your trust . . . or at least that of the staff here.”
“No one comes on the island with a private camera.”
Rick leaned back in the office chair and cradled his head. “Exactly how can you guarantee that?”
“Guest luggage is screened. Cell phones are placed in holding and the on-island cameras are all accounted for and checked before they leave the island.” Val went on to talk about client excursions and how their charters were handled.
“There are watches that have cameras,” Rick pointed out.
Val ran a hand through his hair. “The photos taken were with a long lens. While I’m sure the military can take pictures from space, I don’t think anyone here can. Besides, my guests covet the privacy of the island as much as I do. It’s why they’re here. Everyone is contracted to my privacy policy. If there’s a breach, they stand the risk of litigation in which I will not lose.”
Rick studied the wall behind the computers. “I don’t think we’re dealing with a guest.”
Val didn’t either.
“Which leaves my employees.”
“Losing their job wouldn’t compare to some of the money they could acquire from the pictures they take or the stories they could tell. And what about contracted workers? I’m sure there are repairs needed here all the time.”
“I run Sapore di Amore like a cruise ship. Housekeeping has designated areas they are allowed in, my waitstaff is th
e same way. Maintenance of common areas is taken care of after my guests have left. Emergency situations require the presence of security.” Val had gone over everything already.
Rick stood and stretched his back. “Then we start at the lower decks. Those who have the least to lose and work our way up.”
Val took his jacket that was lying on the back of a chair.
Rick grinned. “It’s still eighty degrees out there. Why the suit?”
Val straightened his tie. “It reminds my employees that I’m the boss.”
They started at the dock, where many of the employees never left.
One of the first things that Rick caught was Alonzo’s yacht docked along the wharf. “Yours?”
Val shook his head. “Gabi’s fiancé.”
Rick narrowed his gaze. “All that from the wine business?”
“Wine is big business.”
“Even better than moonshine, eh, Val?” Behind them Alonzo walked their way, obviously overhearing their conversation.
“I’ve had some decent moonshine,” Rick offered as he shook the other man’s hand.
Alonzo winked. “I have, too, but don’t tell anyone.”
“Are you pulling out?” Val asked.
Alonzo nodded. “You have enough to worry about without my men here.”
Val hadn’t really thought about Alonzo’s crew.
“Where do your employees sleep when you’re on the island?” Rick asked.
Alonzo was slow to smile. “On the yacht, Mr. Evans. Their accommodations are quite comfortable.”
“That would make sense.”
Alonzo turned his attention back to Val. “Looks like you’ve had a lot of cabernet drinkers, my friend. I’ll be sure and have my assistant send more.”
“Thank you.” The last thing on Val’s mind was wine.
“I know you’re preoccupied, but wanted to let you know that once Gabi returns I plan on taking her away for a short trip.”
“Does Gabi know about this vacation?”
“Not yet. I’m working on some of the details. I’ve neglected my fiancée and need to rectify that.”
Val couldn’t agree more. Having his sister and Alonzo off island for a while was good for all of them.
Val shook Alonzo’s hand. “Don’t work too hard.”
“I’d say the same but know you’ll give my words less weight than I’ll give yours.”
They were both workaholics. It was surprising Alonzo found the time to get to know Gabi, let alone promise to marry her.
Maybe it was sleeping in her own bed, or maybe it was the smoggy air, or maybe it was her neighbor’s smelly cooking . . . but Meg slept like the dead and woke up refreshed in a way she hadn’t felt in weeks.
Even her shower felt better than she remembered. She sucked in a breath on her peak flow meter to see how her lungs were faring. Her numbers were getting better with the medication the doctor had placed her on. Crazy how oxygen in the bloodstream made her look at the day with bright glasses.
She practically jogged down the stairs to the smell of coffee and breakfast.
“Look who’s up.”
Meg wrapped an arm around Judy and Gabi, who were huddled over the stove. “Home-cooked food? For me?”
“Don’t get used to it. Gabi insisted.”
Meg helped herself to a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen counter. “It’s good to be home.”
“Vacations are always nice, but coming home can be even better,” Judy said.
“Yeah, well . . . that was the least restful vacation I’ve had in a while.”
Gabi offered a frown. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t take offense, hon. The island was beautiful, the food was amazing . . . and the company . . .” She pictured Val with a smile. “Yeah . . . anyway, it’s not any of that.”
“It’s the helicopter ride to the hospital . . . gets ya every time.” Judy always had a way to cut to the core of things.
“Worrying about Michael—” Meg cut her words off and glanced at Gabi.
“Please don’t. I’m not blind. He’s not the first celebrity to go to my brother’s island posing as someone he’s not. Trust me.”
Judy nudged Gabi. “I wanna ask who, but I won’t.”
“I wouldn’t tell.” Gabi grinned with a wink.
“Oh no!” Meg thought of Val, and looked around the kitchen for her purse.
“What?”
“I forgot to call Val last night.”
“Don’t stress it,” Judy told her. “I talked to Rick.”
Meg sighed, pushed the conversation off for a later time. “I wonder if they’re any closer to finding him.”
Judy set a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of Meg. “If the hoodie guy is still there, Rick will find him.”
“He didn’t do anything.”
“He scared the oxygen out of you.” Judy dished her own plate and sat beside Meg. “I’ve known you for a long time, that doesn’t happen very often, and I’ve never had to take you to the ER. So he didn’t do anything doesn’t fly with me. You were scared shitless.”
“I’d been dancing all night, running all day . . .”
“Why are you downplaying this? The guy cornered you, said some nasty things, and took off.”
Judy had a point.
“I guess I don’t want to think a little threat turns me into a melodramatic basket case who ends up in the hospital.”
Judy pointed her fork in Meg’s direction. “With the exception of that description of yourself, you can’t be accused of being melodramatic.”
The doorbell to the Tarzana house rang and Judy jumped up to answer it.
“Delivery for Miss Rosenthal.”
Meg leaned over to see down the short hallway to the front door. Judy was taking a massive bouquet of what looked like two dozen roses.
“Ah, my brother is so sweet,” Gabi announced when Judy brought the flowers into the kitchen.
Meg didn’t think she was a flower kind of girl, but she was smiling despite her own self-perceptions. She took the card and opened it.
She started to giggle.
“What did he say?” Judy asked.
“They’re not from Val.”
“They’re not?”
Meg leaned in and sniffed a fragrant bud. “Nope. They’re from Jim Lewis.”
Gabi tossed her head with laughter. “Maybe he is trying for his next wife after all.”
Judy scratched her head. “Who is Jim Lewis?”
Chapter Seventeen
“You remember Shannon Wentworth.” Meg stepped into her client’s photography studio with Gabi right behind her.
“Yes, of course. You and your new husband were guests of ours earlier this year.”
“Yes . . . I’m sorry but I forgot your name.”
“Gabriella Masini. Val’s sister.”
Shannon shook Gabi’s hand and offered a gracious smile. “We had a wonderful time on your island.”
“It’s my brother’s, but thank you. I like to think I help in some way.”
“How is the political campaigning?” Meg asked once the introductions were out of the way.
“Exhausting. Not to mention fattening. I swear, there are more dinners than there are days in the week.”
Shannon wore her long hair down her back in a slick ponytail. Her tiny waist and petite frame weren’t something Meg could easily imagine overweight. “Eat a celery stick, I’m sure that will even things out.”
Shannon understood Meg’s humor and slapped her arm. “What brings you to my neck of Beverly Hills?”
The studio Shannon had moved to after her contractual marriage ceremony was located in the center of Beverly Hills, just off Rodeo. The high-end real estate was part of the deal. She could shoot candid or even not so candid pictures of the exclusive clientele that lunched on Rodeo just to be seen. She also accepted the contracts of others who wanted their children’s graduation pictures, baby pictures, or wedding photographs taken by
a professional. What was even better, Shannon always wanted to mentor new graduates with talent. Her studio afforded her that effort.
Meg patted Gabi on the back. “My new friend is planning her wedding. She needs a gown, and since you’re the photographer of all things weddings, I thought maybe you could point us in a direction. Show us some shots . . . tell us who you know.”
Hollywood, LA, the entire scene was all about who you knew, not what you knew.
Shannon’s gaze fell on Gabi with renewed interest. “You’re getting married?”
Gabi lifted her left hand and wiggled her fingers. “I am.”
“Congratulations . . . wait.” Shannon narrowed her eyes and stared at Meg. “Is she a client?”
Meg laughed. There was no way Alonzo would have passed the background check. “Ah, no. Gabi was engaged before we met.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Shannon turned to Gabi a second time. “Congratulations. When is the big day?”
Gabi looked between the two of them . . . twice. “In the fall. And what do you mean by am I a client?”
“I told you I did background checks,” Meg offered as a half answer.
“Background checks?”
Shannon jumped in. “I know people. Lots of people. Let’s look at some brides and you can tell me what appeals to you. We can go from there.”
They sat down to a pile of photo albums, every one of them filled with brides and everything weddings. If there was one thing Meg believed in, it was paying it forward. It helped that Shannon was a kick-ass photographer and a nice person. The nice person part was a plus. Helping her build her business didn’t require a second thought.
“Are you getting married on the island? Somewhere cold? Do you know what your bridesmaids are going to wear?”
Gabi pulled her shoulders back and grew silent. Her eyes started to fill with moisture.
“Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Meg managed to catch her new friend’s gaze.
“I don’t have a bridesmaid. How can I get married without a bridesmaid? A maid of honor?”
Shannon jumped up and brought a box of tissues while Meg patted Gabi’s back as a few tears fell from her eyes. “Lots of people get married without a big wedding party.”
Gabi dabbed her nose. “I have a cousin, but we don’t see each other very often. When we announced I was getting married she didn’t know if she was going to be able to come.” Gabi stood and started to pace. “This is awful.”
Seduced by Sunday Page 14
