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“Why though? Why did she leave?”
“My grandfather, her father, hated Tomas. He was a rival apparently and only said that Tomas wanted her to get back at him.”
“Hmm interesting. Who was her father?”
She folded her arms across her chest. An action that I was soon learning that meant she was done talking, but it niggled at me, and I had to know.
“Who was her father Kat?”
“Knox Lachlan.”
I could feel the color drain from my face. It was a name Declan, and I knew all too well.
Chapter 9
Rory
As I filed that tidbit of info about her grandfather in my mind, I made a mental note to mention it to Declan. I found myself staring at her in a different light as she shared that piece of her past. I had to reevaluate my initial impression of her. Maybe there was more to this girl than just trying to weasel her way in to take over. One that Declan wouldn’t approve of, and with any luck, he would send her packing.
As we pulled onto the main road, I couldn’t help but test the power of the 427 big block engine. The 4x4 responded eagerly, and I felt a rush of excitement as we cruised down the highway towards the beach.
The tension that had hung between us seemed to dissolve with the wind blowing through the open windows. As she leaned back in her seat, I glanced over at her and saw a flicker of somethingin her eyes – a spark of defiance mixed with vulnerability. I wondered what secrets she held behind those guarded walls.
After a few surprising moments of comfortable silence, she spoke up softly, “Why did you agree to work for Declan and his family?”
I shifted in my seat, pondering her question before replying, “It’s complicated. Let’s just say I owe Declan a debt that goes way back. And besides, working for him has its perks.”
“Such as?” she pushed, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied my face.
I could sense the curiosity in her tone, the hunger for answers that matched my own thirst for knowledge about her. She intrigued me in ways I couldn’t quite comprehend yet.
“Protection,” I answered simply, deciding to keep my explanation vague. It wasn’t the full story, but it was enough for now.
She nodded slowly, seeming to accept my response without further probing. The rest of the drive was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the sound of the engine and the rush of wind.
As we neared the beach, I could see her eyes light up with excitement while we looked for a parking spot. Once I cut the engine off, I pocketedthe keys and together we unloaded the picnic basket and umbrella.
Setting up our little spot on the sand, I couldn’t help but notice Kat’s attitude shift as we did so. She kept looking out towards the water as if longing to race towards it but almost afraid to. Her guard was back up. It was as if a switch had been flipped, transforming her from the carefree girl in the car to sharp and alert.
I watched her closely, not surprised at all by the change in her. She seemed distant, “What exactly are we looking for?” she asked, looking towards the warehouse. The way she surveyed the area with a frown creasing her brow made me wonder what thoughts were running through her mind.
“You see that warehouse?” I jerked my head towards it without looking at it. “There are shipments that have been coming in that aren’t accounted for. Declan wants us to record everything that comes into its dock.”
She nodded. “Are we supposed to act like it’s a day at the beach or are we supposed to act like we are spying?”
“A day at the beach. I would say go swimming if you want to, but you didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
Kat
“Like I need a swimsuit,” I muttered.
I was so used to fighting in the ring in what some people would consider underwear, that I reached for the button on my jeans and undid them. As I slid them down over my hips, I shot a sideways glance at Rory. His eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his handsome features. A small thrill of satisfaction coursed through my veins when I saw the look of lust spark in his gaze before he quickly looked away. Maybe he wasn’t as unshakeable as he seemed.
With deliberate calmness, I stepped out of my jeans and reached for the hem of my shirt before pulling it off in one fluid motion. The warm sun kissed my skin as I stood there in my black sports bra and shorts, making me feel liberated and empowered by the daring act. I could sense Rory’s gaze on me again, but I refused to meet his eyes.
I grabbed a pair of sunglasses from my bag and put them on, shielding my eyes as I scanned the warehouse area. The beachgoers nearby were oblivious to our intentions, their laughter and chatter providing the perfect cover for me to scrutinize the warehouse.
Rory cleared his throat, his voice low as he spoke. “Don’t draw too much attention to yourself, Kat. We need to blend in to gather information without raising any suspicions.”
