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Hope smirked. “He’s always expecting trouble.”
Alex ignored her comment, intent on Jack. “Not necessarily. Let’s just say I’ve learned it pays to be prepared.”
With Alex there, nothing seriously bad could happen, and Sara was starting to feel left out. The meeting with the developer would be poetic justice in action. “We’ll all go. I’d love to see the look on Wayne’s face when he finds out.”
Without moving his head, Alex shifted his gaze to her, eyes hardening. “No. You and Hope stay here.”
Anger flickered, rising through Sara’s abdomen. “What? We have every right to be there!”
“Sara, it could be dangerous,” Jack said.
“So what? We’re not some damsels—”
“Be quiet, Sara,” Hope said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Alex is right. We’d only be a distraction.”
Sara gaped at her sister, stunned she wasn’t demanding to be there. Hope stared steadily back at her. “Alex knows more about security issues than you or I ever will. And I’ve learned that sometimes I need to listen, whether I like it or not. We stay here.”
Sara turned her attention back to Alex. His eyes weren’t cold anymore, but they held an iron glint she’d never seen before. Hope’s words sunk in—Alex wasn’t just a dive instructor. “Ok.” She regarded Jack, who also looked at her seriously, then nodded. “We’ll just have to save the celebration for tomorrow evening then.” Sara started walking up the pier as the others turned to follow.
“Jack, can you hold back a second?” Alex asked, before sweeping his gaze over the remainder of the group. “You all go ahead. We’ll catch up in a few minutes.”
Sara and Hope ambled up the pier, with Dexter in between. Hope was in full tour-guide mode, pointing out the features of the resort, and Sara’s irritation about the meeting fled as she watched the older man. Dexter wore a delighted and slightly dazed expression as he countered with reminiscences from his childhood.
This isn’t about me or Hope, is it? Something big sister already realized. Maybe you need to listen more and barge in less, Sara.
Then she bit back a laugh at that last ridiculous thought.
CHAPTER 38
Flickering morning light danced through the green canopy as Jack gripped the wheel of his Ranger. He forced his hand to relax, trying not to worry about the upcoming encounter. Next to him, Dexter sat alert but not tense as they rumbled down the dirt track at the north end of Half Moon Bay. But Jack’s mind kept returning to yesterday’s conversation on the pier after the others had left. When Alex had pulled Jack aside, he’d been concerned about that morning’s meeting.
“My Spidey-Sense is tingling. I don’t like that Timmons wants to meet Dexter alone in an inconspicuous area. If it’s only Wayne that shows up, everything will be fine. But I’ve thought about Beavis and Butthead a time or two. We’ve seen them twice—at our bar, and later with Wayne. I wonder now if Timmons sent them to cause trouble that night. I might be a little overcautious, but I don’t want you two outnumbered.”
Now Jack glanced at Dexter. “Alex told me he was going to get here early. We might not see him, but he assured me he’d be nearby.”
The older man had been staring at trees outside the window. At Jack’s words, he turned and raised his brows. “I thought he couldn’t wait to rub this fella’s face in everythin’.”
“I think it’s more that he wants to assess the situation. So don’t mention him, ok?”
Dexter shrugged one bony shoulder. “Doesn’t matter to me, one way or the other. I reckon you and I can handle this man just fine.”
They came to the end of the dirt road and Jack parked a good distance away from the same high-end Tesla he’d seen at Breakers. An old beat-up Ford Explorer was also there, and Jack frowned.
They walked over the hilly rise and sank into the sand, heading toward the spit. Jack casually glanced around, but there was no sign of Alex. The morning was very quiet, and the waves were nearly silent as they caressed the shore. Three men faced away from them on the rocky ground, and all three turned around at their approach. Wayne stood in the middle and narrowed his eyes at Jack. Pirate Dude and Earring flanked him, and Jack instantly went on high alert. Pirate Dude wore a black T-shirt emblazoned with the Jolly Roger, and his mullet was even longer.
Shit. So much for our friendly little meeting.
Wayne straightened, keeping both hands in his pockets. “Decided to bring company, Dexter?”
Dexter creaked a laugh. “Didn’t realize you were so worried about an old man you needed two bodyguards.”
Wayne smiled and ambled toward them. “Oh, they aren’t anything that fancy. I’m just ensuring this process goes as smoothly as possible.” He stopped in front of Jack, keeping the same cocky face, and the divemaster itched to punch him. “This really doesn’t concern you,” the developer continued, arching a brow at Jack. “There’s a lovely restaurant at the resort down there if you want to get a cup of coffee.”
Jack stared straight back, crossing his arms. “Not gonna happen, asshole.”
Wayne’s face hardened. “Watch it, or I might teach you some manners.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
