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“Your reputation precedes you, Tony,” Diamond said, and took another puff of his cigar.
“So, I hear,” he said, his eyes moving over to Hollis. She looked delicious in a t-shirt and shorts that showed off her long legs. At the moment, they were crossed in a lady-like way, but his thoughts were anything but gentlemanly. Even though he’d been hooking up with her friend on and off, he’d always wanted a taste of Hollis.
When she glanced up at him, her amazing eyes caught in a ray of sunlight and seemed to match her auburn hair. Like melted caramels streaked with red hots. Just like her fiery personality.
Yeah, he definitely wanted to feel her under him. Wanted to wrap a hand through those fiery tresses and yank her head back. Wanted to make her beg for it. She’d always been too high and mighty and he’d love to rein her in, tame her. He’d also like to see her down on her knees, sucking his cock.
“Hollis. What a pleasant surprise,” Tony said.
She gave him a taut smile.
Bitch, he thought.Always thinking she’s better than me. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you a lot more now that Lia and I are hanging out again.” Her jaw tightened and he couldn’t help but smile. Maybe he hadn’t had her tight, little body…yet…but, he always enjoyed riling her up. “She mentioned you’re looking for a new partner. Just so you know-- I’m available. And, very interested.”
Hollis forced herself to remain polite. She couldn’t believe Lia would go back with this creep again.Ugh.Her friend was beautiful, smart and a sucker for bad boys. Hollis glanced at her watch, ignored Tony’s previous comment about her needing a new partner, and stood up. “I’ve taken up too much of your time and should go to the library to do some more research. Thanks for the iced tea.”
“Any time, my dear,” Diamond said, and clasped her hands as she leaned down and kissed his weathered cheek.
“And, if you change your mind…” she said hopefully. But, Diamond only smiled.
As she walked toward Tony, he didn’t budge from his lounging position in the doorway, and she was forced to skirt around his looming form. “Excuse me,” she said, her tone curt.
Tony turned his head and smirked, checking out her ass as she walked out. Shit, he wanted to screw that bitch.One of these days, he told himself.
∞∞∞
After several hours of researching at the library, Hollis made it home just as the sun set in a blaze of reds and oranges that rivaled her hair. She flipped the headlights off and jumped out of her Jeep Wrangler. Hair up in a messy bun, she looked exhausted as she dragged her messenger bag out of the car and headed up the walkway. As she searched for her keys, she suddenly froze.
The front door was ajar.
Hollis swallowed hard, took a tentative step forward and pushed the door all the way open. She reached in to flip a switch and the entrance hall flooded with light.
“Oh, my God,” she said, and took a couple steps toward the small living room. It was completely trashed. Everything had been flipped upside down as though a hurricane had torn through it.
Everything…
Her gaze moved to the desk where she had left the folder from her Dad. The drawers all laid on the floor, papers and files dumped out and scattered all over the place. She didn’t see the folder and a knot twisted her stomach. “Nooo…”
All the notes and maps from her father were gone.
Chapter Five
The Sand Bar was hopping when Hollis pulled her Jeep into the parking lot. The hole-in-the-wall bar did fairly good business most nights because the locals liked the strong drinks and comfort food, and Christmas lights hung all over giving it a festive vibe.
Hollis pushed the front door open and made her way to the bar where she plopped down on a stool. When her best friend Lia spotted her, she hurried over. Friendly and overly-chatty, Lia loved to socialize and made the perfect bartender when she had to fill in.
“Hey!” Lia said, and slapped a coaster in front of her friend. She immediately began to whip up a drink for Hollis. Though she played bartender when they got busy or short-staffed, Lia was also half-owner of the Sand Bar. “We’re short-staffed again tonight. Are you sure you don’t want a job?” She frowned when she noticed how pale Hollis looked beneath her tan. “What’s wrong?”
“Someone broke into my house.”
“What? Oh, my God, are you okay? Did they take anything?”
“Everything my Dad left me about the 13th ship.”
“Oh, shit. Hollis, I’m so sorry.”
Hollis pressed her forehead against clasped hands and Lia slid an extra-strong drink in front of her. “Stay here tonight,” Lia said.
Hollis looked up, eyes grateful, and lifted the glass, downing half of it. Lia leaned in and smiled. “I’ve been staying at Tony’s anyway so the back bedroom is all yours.”
