A Dangerous Arrangement

by Lee Christine

  Did that mean he’d spotted Dean too?

  Come on, Marina! Think! Think!

  ‘I’ve got shorts on. They won’t let me in. I didn’t know.’

  In the pause that followed, Marina recalled the police would be listening in on the conversation.

  ‘Do you have it?’

  ‘I’m here, aren’t I?’ she snapped.

  Natural enough?

  She turned her back on Dean so she was looking at the church. If Victor could see her, the last thing she wanted to do was draw his attention to Dean.

  Then Victor—Li, spoke again. ‘Okay, you see that cafe opposite?’

  Heart pounding so hard the blood was crashing in her temples, Marina turned slowly and looked to the other side of the piazza. ‘The one under the big white building? The one with the green awnings?’

  ‘That’s right. Go in there.’

  ‘Okay.’

  She swiped a shaking thumb across the screen and killed the call. As she put the phone back inside the bag, she felt for the USB.

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

  This was it.

  She began descending the steps again, Dean’s words ringing in her ears. He’ll expect you to be nervous. It would be strange if you weren’t.

  Determined not to look at him, and careful not to fall down the steps, she continued to the bottom. The police would be aware of what was happening, but Rask had given them strict instructions not to make a move until they were positive they had the right man.

  She headed across the piazza, eyes peeled for Li Chen.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  From inside the golf shop next door, Li watched Marina come towards him. He scanned the surrounding area. The place was packed with locals, tourists from the cruise ship and the paparazzi.

  Even so, it was peaceful.

  People were out enjoying the early morning sun.

  Not a cop anywhere in sight.

  Most of them were probably stationed down by the docks, waiting for the celebrity’s yacht to berth. According to the golf shop owner, another large contingent of paparazzi was gathered down by the water.

  Li watched as Marina grew closer. Even from across the piazza, he’d had no trouble recognising her. He’d lived with her for six months. Even her hat was familiar.

  He shifted the pack on his back and pretended to inspect the ‘Big Bertha’ driver he held, though he continued to scan the piazza.

  He was certain she was alone.

  And she’d made a natural gaff, turning up at the church wearing shorts.

  Returning the driver to the sets of clubs in front of him, he turned and thanked the shopkeeper.

  Marina was outside now, only a few metres away.

  He opened the door and walked towards her.

  There was safety in numbers.

  Another minute, and he’d have the designs in his hands.

  ***

  Marina faltered as Li came towards her.

  He looked the same as always. Jeans, tee-shirt, cap with some kind of logo.

  She heard the policeman’s voice in her head. He’s a white collar criminal. There’s nothing to suggest he’ll harm the lady.

  ‘I thought you wanted to meet inside,’ she said when he was within earshot, pointing to the cafe and trying to sound as natural as possible.

  ‘It’s crowded, and it’s not like we’ll be drinking coffee.’

  Marina stiffened as his eyes shifted around the piazza, praying he wouldn’t recognise Dean.

  ‘Why me, Victor?’

  She couldn’t slip up, couldn’t call him Li, couldn’t let him know she knew his true identity.

  And she had to distract him.

  ‘You were the stand-out candidate for flatmate,’ he said, watching as she began to unzip her handbag. ‘An American citizen. No family or significant other in the country.’

  She dug in the bag with nervous fingers, sweat beading on her forehead.

  Where the hell were the cops?

  Surely they’d seen him by now.

  ‘Teaching all day, rehearsing at night. A world traveller.’

  Arsehole.

  It seemed she too had been specifically chosen.

  ‘Hurry up.’

  She jumped as he lost his patience.

  ‘Alright! I’m nervous, goddamn it. It’s in the inside zipper.’

  Where the hell were they?

  ‘You hand it over—nothing will happen to your career.’

  ‘How generous.’

  An impotent anger burned in Marina’s chest. She wanted to push him, shove him, pummel the bastard with her fists and kick out at him with her feet.

  But there were other ways of winning.

  Smarter ways.

  And finally, it was coming at her now.

  Over Victor’s shoulder, the balding cop was exiting the cafe just as Marina’s fingers closed around the flash drive.

  She pulled it from her bag, held it up in front of Victor’s face, and couldn’t help smiling a little. ‘Be my guest.’

  He reached for it—the same instant the copper’s hand came down on his shoulder.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Marina stepped back as chaos erupted all around her.

  Within seconds, the two other officers had come to the aid of the balding cop. The one with the wire glasses whipped the USB from Li Chen’s grasp. The man with the brush-back wrested his hands behind his back and cuffed him.

  It was over.

  A wave of elation swept through her. They’d done it!

  And then someone grabbed her hand and pulled her backwards, just as several dozen paparazzi converged on the scene.

  Dean!

  ‘This way. Hurry.’

  His arm came around her waist, his body shielding her as they pushed through the burgeoning crowd of locals and interested tourists.

  Pure exhilaration coursed through Marina’s body making her want to fling her arms around his neck, leap in the air and shout with relief.

  But there were smarter ways of winning.

  And the celebrations would come later.

  He steered her into a narrow lane and they maintained their pace, fast enough to put a good distance between them and the fracas—slow enough to not draw attention to themselves.

  ‘In here.’

  He pulled her into a deep shopfront, a jewellery store in darkness, yet to open.

  ‘Dean!’ She went to put her arms around his neck but he shook his head and took the hat from her head.

  ‘We’re not out of this yet.’ He pulled something from a bag, took a quick look around to make sure nobody was watching. ‘Take the cardigan off. Quickly.’

  She did as he said and he stuffed it in the bag along with the hat. Then he ripped the tag off a colourful caftan and dropped it over her head.

  ‘Give me your sunglasses. Take these ones.’

  She swapped glasses.

  He dropped them in the bag with the other things and looked at her. ‘Don’t put the hood up. I was thinking it could cover your hair, but that’s good enough. We don’t want you to look too ‘rock star’, or the paparazzi might mistake you for the other celebrity in town.’

  He smiled then and dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. ‘Come on.’

  He gripped her hand, and when they reached the end of the lane he handed her the carry bag. Looking at the street signs, he phoned Rask.

  ‘Send the car to the corner of Fagiano and Matalo.’ He spelled out the names and hung up.

  Then he pulled her into a deep alcove that led to a small hairdressing salon. Like the other shops along the street, it remained closed, or maybe it didn’t open until ten or eleven. ‘Come over here, honey. Stand in this doorway.’

  Once they were hidden from view he took the camera from around his neck and wrapped her in his arms.

  They clung together, Marina’s arms around his waist, her head resting on his chest. She drew in a deep breath, listened to the sound of his heartbeat and relaxed for the first tim
e since Li’s message had come through.

  ‘I can’t believe it’s over.’

  ‘Not quite yet. We have to get you out of here.’

  But it wouldn’t be long. Rask was sending a car, and soon she would be back on the yacht, in her stateroom, or in Dean’s. Safe from the prying eyes of the world. And while he would be busy with the police and dealing with all the issues connected to the theft of his intellectual property, they had tonight … maybe even a few more days should he ask her to stay until she was due to fly out of Rome.

  She turned her face up to his, and he kissed her gently on the lips, a caressing, clinging kiss, like he couldn’t bear to break it. Warmth spread throughout Marina’s body, chasing away the stress and tension of the last few hours.

  It was over.

  It was really over.

  The sound of a car pulling into the curb had Dean breaking the kiss, and a few moments later he was handing her into the rear seat of a black town car, similar to the one Rask had collected her in, in Sorrento.

  ‘The boat ramp, a mile south of here, the one the locals use,’ he instructed the driver, squeezing her hand, his eyes on her as she settled into the soft leather seat with a sigh.

  The driver nodded and put the car in gear.

  And then the town car began winding its way through the narrow back streets of Livorno.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Rask was waiting in the tender.

  They drew some interested stares when they took off their shoes and waded in. Most of the locals had their trailers backed up and were launching their boats, preparing for a day of fun on the water.

  Rask took Dean’s camera and the bag, and then his hands were on her waist and she found herself sitting on the side of the tender. She swung her legs into the boat and found a seat as Dean hoisted himself in.

  ‘Go!’

  This time, he didn’t bother with a life jacket.

  The three outboards lowered, and the next instant the tender roared to life. Rask opened the throttle, and then they were cutting through the water and heading out to sea.

  Marina let out a whoop, but while Dean gave a measured smile he wasn’t sharing in her state of unbridled joy and success. Not yet.

  Neither was Rask.

  ‘Give us an update.’ They were moving so fast, Dean had to shout over the sound of the outboards.

  ‘There’s good news and bad. Li went quietly. No resistance. It’s already being reported on social media as a foiled terrorist attack. That’s crap of course, but we’re happy to let that run for the moment.’

  ‘And the bad?’

  ‘Someone’s spotted the yacht, and I think from the attention we just received at the boat ramp it will only be a couple of minutes before that’s confirmed. There’s already speculation that you pulled out of the America’s Cup because you’re having an affair with the celebrity due in town within the next hour.’

  Dean shook his head, one hand gripping the tender’s side. ‘Jesus! How do people think these things up?’

  They rounded a small headland, and the Orion came into view, her cream hull and graceful lines gleaming in the morning sun.

  ‘You can ride those rumours out.’ Marina reached across and gave Dean’s forearm a squeeze. ‘The truth will come out in time. People will learn why you abandoned the America’s Cup.’

  He nodded, but his mood remained pensive and subdued. Marina leaned back in the leather seat and rationalised that Dean was right. Until everything was settled, they couldn’t relax.

  As Rask manoeuvred the tender close to the yacht, Alain appeared on the stern.

  Minutes later, they were back on board the Orion.

  Marina watched as Dean ran a hand through his hand and looked at Rask. ‘Did you do as I asked?’

  Rask handed over a bunch of keys. ‘Everything’s ready.’

  Not understanding the exchange, Marina opened the door leading to the yacht’s interior. She couldn’t wait to get down to her stateroom and shower. The adrenaline rush had worn off, leaving her weary and tired. Fifteen minutes ago she’d been ready to party. Now, all she longed for was to wash the perspiration from her skin, along with the clinging stench of corruption that came from dealing with Li Chen.

  ‘Marina. Where are you going?’

  She turned at the sound of Dean’s voice. ‘To take a shower.’

  He shook his head. ‘There’s no time.’

  She frowned, not understanding. She looked from Dean to Rask. The former detective refused to meet her eyes, staring at the deck as if bracing himself for something bad.

  As for Dean, there was a firmness in his stance and a resoluteness in his gaze, unlike anything she’d witnessed before.

  A chill slipped down her spine as she waited for him to speak.

  ‘You have to leave, Marina.’

  His words hit her with the force of a bullet train. She blinked as the air left her lungs and the blood left her head.

  Rask’s hand came around the top of her arm. ‘It’s for the best,’ he said, eyes full of apology.

  ‘For who?’ She looked at Dean again. He stood statue straight, contained. In that moment he reminded her of Alain, a comparison she never thought she’d ever draw.

  He took a deep breath. ‘The spotlight’s fallen on me, and that means it will fall on you too. You have to get out of here.’

  No!

  It was too soon. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

  She wanted tonight.

  And tomorrow.

  Maybe even tomorrow night.

  But would more time spent with Dean put an end to her longing? Would it make it any easier to walk away in the end?

  It didn’t seem she had a choice in the matter.

  ‘I see.’ Trying to muster as much dignity as she could, Marina looked down at Rask’s hand on her arm.

  He uncurled his fingers and let her go.

  She turned away. ‘I should pack.’

  ‘Your luggage is in the chopper.’

  Dean’s words were like a jagged dagger to her heart.

  Stunned, she brought a hand to her stomach.

  The next thing she knew, Rask was turning her around so she could look at him. His eyes were full of compassion, and in that moment she knew just why he meant so much to Dean.

  ‘I had Danika pack your things, but I packed the violin myself. I know how much it means to you. It’s safe with your luggage, in the helicopter.’

  Tears pricked the backs of Marina’s eyes and her throat closed over as she thought of their scuffle over the Stradivarius. Rask still bore the scratch marks on the back of his hand.

  Somehow, she managed to move her lips. ‘Thank you, Hektor. Goodbye.’

  He took her by the shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘It’s been a pleasure, my dear.’

  Stunned, Marina turned and followed Dean into the interior of the yacht. She couldn’t believe how aloof he’d become, like he couldn’t bear to look at her.

  ‘Why are you doing this?’ she asked when they reached the helipad.

  His eyes cut to hers. ‘I’m keeping my end of the bargain.’

  She flinched at the firmness in his voice. ‘Do you have to be so goddamn cold about it?’

  He moved quickly, taking her by the shoulders and giving her a tiny shake. ‘I’m getting you away. You kept up your end, Marina. You met Li.’

  ‘And you and Rask organised everything which resulted in his arrest. He can’t blackmail me anymore. I would never have had the clout to do that. Doesn’t that make us equal?’

  He shook his head, glanced out over the ocean, his jaw set in a brutal line. ‘You want to stay because of what happened between us. But your emotions are ruling your head. Li’s arrest will bring serious heat. Believe me, you don’t want that.’

  What happened between us.

  Past tense.

  ‘Isn’t that up to me to decide?’

  ‘What’s wrong with you?’ His eyes blazed into hers. ‘I’m giving you the cha
nce to go home before the whole world finds out you’re in Italy. We did it, Marina. Together. You saved my company, now I’m saving your career. That was our deal. You don’t want anyone to know about your RSI, so go now, before one of the hundreds of paparazzi recognise you.’

  He let her go then and opened the passenger-side door so she could climb in.

  What had he just said? You want to stay because of what’s happened between us.

  Well, it was a good enough reason for her—but clearly not for him.

  She set her shoulders and strode over to the aircraft. Helicopters didn’t faze her. She’d often been ferried around in them, from one concert to another, particularly in Europe and England where the distances aren’t what they are in Australia.

  He continued talking as they settled in their seats. ‘Danika and Alain signed lifetime confidentiality agreements upon their employment. The first thing I want to do when I get back is remind them of this, particularly as I’ve issued Alain two weeks’ notice. This is to protect you as much as anyone else.’

  She nodded. She understood.

  She just didn’t trust herself to speak.

  ‘Honestly.’ He looked at her and turned the throttle all the way open, and for the first time Marina glimpsed a hint of apology in his eyes. ‘I don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep over the next forty-eight hours. There’s so much to go through with the Italian authorities and Interpol, not to mention the situation I have with the America’s Cup.’

  He raked a hand through his hair then put on his headset. Is that what he thought? That she only wanted to stay on board so she could sleep with him. And could she blame him for thinking like that? She’d thrown a tantrum worthy of a rock star when he’d taken her out to sea without her permission. And she hadn’t exactly hidden her dislike of all things aquatic. It would be natural for him to assume she’d want to get off the yacht as soon as possible.

  ‘I’m not interested in merely sleeping with you.’ She had to say this, had to get it out before he started the rotors. ‘I have to feel something. If I’m not soul connected …’

  He stared at her, jaw locked, a muscle working in his cheek. For a moment, she thought he was going to turn away, but then he reached out and caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger.