Page 16 of Hideaway Reunion

Natalie sighed, exchanging a speaking glance with Celeste. “You’re right, Brayden. So, what’s the first next step?”

“Why don’t the three of you keep working on your event plans,” he suggested. “Celeste, if you could send the plat map to my research team, we’ll start looking into the bogus survey issues and see if there’s any legal option available.”

Celeste sat forward. “Taking care of that right now.”

He served up more strudel and topped off the coffee just as the construction noise set in with a mechanical screech and the growl of engines.

“Definitely need to focus on evenings,” Roni grumbled, walking over to join her sisters.

Although the tension lingered, it had faded enough that Brayden relaxed too. With a shared goal, the emotions seemed to ebb closer to a truce as the sisters focused on being proactive with events and potential charity tie-ins for the weeks ahead.

It didn’t hurt that Brookwell Island was a vibrant hub of activity in the summer. Knowing the powerhouse Roni could be, he decided to walk the property while he waited for the research team to respond.

He filled a stainless-steel travel mug with coffee. “I’m going out for a circuit,” he told them. “You’ll stay here, with the security system armed?” he asked.

“Cross my heart,” Roni replied. “We’ll be at this for a while anyway.”

With a nod, he stepped out into the racket, even more determined to prevent more nonsense from the developers.

He walked down the drive and across the front along the street just in case the guy with the water main assignment had dropped a clue. Away from the breeze off the ocean, the humidity pressed against Brayden as he turned, certain to stay on Hideaway property on his way toward the water. It was impossible to ignore how the relentless mechanical roar of the Indigo Reef machinery next door provided the perfect cover and perfect distraction for any trespassing or observation.

So far, no one had shown up on the new cameras and he ran a check to be sure they were all working. Passing the weathered garden shed, situated between the house and the trees, his gaze tripped over what appeared to be drag marks and crushed ferns. Last night, he’d tucked a camera under the shed’s roofline, not bothering to hide it. He wanted to make anyone think twice before coming close to the house.

He walked around the building, tripping the camera along the way. He figured he could’ve been responsible for the ferns, but not those drag marks. Using the code for the shed, he slipped into the dim interior. The scents of damp earth and old potting soil reminded him of the stories Roni shared about playing hide and seek out here and getting caught when she sneezed.

His flashlight beam swept across the floor, following those fresh marks in the dusty floor to the corner. Heart kicking into high gear, Brayden knelt behind a stack of wicker chairs and pulled back the corner of a canvas tarp to find a large plastic industrial crate.

Way too new to be back here. He couldn’t think of a single reason Roni or her sisters would have such a box.

Flipping the latches, he lifted the lid. His flashlight illuminated several rugged aluminum technician cases. He popped the latches of the top case, and his blood ran cold.

Inside was an electronic control module—the ECM computer brains used to operate big equipment like the bulldozers and excavators currently in operation next door—along with their proprietary diagnostic programming tablets.

Talk about upping the game. If found by the police, this could be devastating for the Hargrave sisters. More than grand theft, the felony charges could include active industrial sabotage. He thought about that spot in the woods where someone with zip ties at the ready had been watching the house. They were ready to pin this on Roni.

A cold, lethal focus washed over him. “Not on my watch,” he whispered, shutting the lid. He used his phone to check the cameras. They must’ve planted this before he got the camera set up. A shudder slid down his back as worst-case scenarios flooded his mind.

They needed to act fast.

He called the research team and had them loop in the bosses. Together, they would document this situation and make sure it didn’t go the way the Indigo Reef planned.

CHAPTER 5

Veronica knew something was wrong as soon as Brayden returned to the Hideaway. Sure, he put on a cool, brave face, but the brackets around his mouth were deeper than normal. She would know, having indulged in many long studies of that mouth. A few hot dreams too after that interrupted kiss last night.

His hands were the real giveaway. He kept flexing and stretching his fingers as if he was warming up for a few rounds with the speed bag or heavy bag. She knew his routines intimately after so many years and he didn’t usually choose a boxing workout unless he was working through something.

Was that something about her specifically or the Hideaway situation in general?

Her sisters, still clearly annoyed with her, had refused to leave before Brayden returned. Having finally ushered them out the door, she planned to get the whole story out of him now that they were alone.

“What happened?” she asked.

He shook his head, avoiding eye contact. “I need a shower.”

Hurt, she froze. It was bad enough her sisters were pissed off at her. She couldn’t think of a single reason why Brayden would be giving her the cold shoulder.

Unless it was her crack about zero romantic interest when Natalie was suddenly shipping them. Again. They hadn’t even talked about that strange, wonderful, abbreviated kiss last night. He was her best friend. Knew her as well as she knew herself. He had to understand she wouldn’t want to share anything happening between them with her sisters before they sorted out the facts for themselves.