Page 3 of Owen
He opened the top dresser drawer and spotted something pink and silky, trimmed in lace. Whoa. Concentrate on the conversation. He turned to face her. “Isolated doesn’t translate to safe.” He had enough experience as a SEAL to make that statement. The tiny village in a country half a world away where his shoulder had been injured, leading to the end of his military career, had been remote and far from safe.
She walked over and slammed the drawer shut. “It feels safe, and it’s as close to being off the grid as I can get and still have internet access to continue pursuing Wilson. And I can go back to Virginia Beach easily enough if I need to conduct an interview. It’s a bit of a drive, but not too bad.”
Even though Owen knew there was no chance of talking her out of continuing the investigation, hewashoping that he could break through her stubbornness and make her remember that she was supposed to be lying low, keeping out of sight and out of mind as much as possible. They knew that Wilson’s operation was targeting her. While being held captive, Helen had overheard a phone call that said as much.
“I thought you weren’t doing that in person anymore. It’s too dangerous.” He wanted to remind her that she’d promised Helen that she’d be cautious, but he didn’t think that would go over too well. Sophie could be prickly when anyone tried to put the brakes on her work.
She shrugged. “It’ll be worth it. A former lieutenant of Wilson in his drug smuggling operation hasalmostagreed to a meeting with me.”
“Almost?” He felt a new prickle of fear. Someone high up in Wilson’s network would know plenty, but they would also be untrustworthy and dangerous. Surely, she wasn’t seriously thinking of meeting up with this guy on her own.
“Yeah, I just need to finesse it a bit more. I’m this close, though.”
“Sophie, that isn’t wise.” He was more than a little impressed with her skills, even if he wished she paired them with a stronger sense of caution and self-preservation. Still, there was no denying that her drive was invaluable in building a solid case against Wilson. Owen had been running his own investigation that included detailed background checks, but so far, he hadn’t scored anything of interest that Sophie hadn’t already uncovered. She was amazing. Frustrating, but amazing. Telling her to back off wasn’t going to be effective. She was too invested in this and too smart. There was only one thing he could think to do.
“We need to team up,” he said, trying to sell it. “I’ll pretend to be your husband, and we can work together on the investigation.”
“With you playing the role of bodyguard again?” Her hands were back on her hips, highlighting the curves he was working hard to ignore. He forced his eyes to her face.
“In a way.” From early on in the investigation, he’d been her bodyguard as much as she’d allow at Ethan’s request. This was just an extension of that. Kinda. “We’d be working toward catching Wilson, too. Two heads are better than one, and we each bring a unique set of skills to the partnership.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’ll try to boss me around. I don’t take directives well unless it’s from my editor.”
He had no doubt that even her editor took some flak from her if he tried to curb her when she was following a story. “It’ll be a mutually beneficial relationship.” With the added benefit of keeping her safe.
“With you deciding when the investigation get too dangerous? That’s not my usual thing,” she said. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I cut my teeth on the crime beat. I know how to keep myself safe when dealing with lowlifes.”
“Drug smugglers are the worst of society. I’m not sure you’ve ever dealt with people that low.”
“I’ve interviewed dealers, racketeers, and pimps. How much worse could it be?”
Way worse, he wanted to argue. From what they’d uncovered so far, they were dealing with a trigger-happy international organization. This wasn’t local riffraff looking to make a quick buck. But he doubted that would convince her. He had another argument for why she should keep him around in mind, but he’d hold off until he had to use that.
“Besides don’t you have a job or something you have to do?” she asked. She was baiting him now.
“I’ve got time,” he said with an easy smile. He didn’t actually need a salary; he only worked gig jobs to give himself something to do. But he had no reason to share that with her. “I’m between jobs with the private eye I work with.”
“I thought you were a bouncer, too.”
“When I need to be.” When his buddy who owned a sports bar asked him to help out. Not often. “It’s casual.” That earned him a baffled look. Sophie didn’t understand not charging at something like it was a five-alarm fire. He was taking a slower route in his civilian life while he figured out his future. “Besides, keeping you and your friends safe is at the top of my to-do list right now.” He’d kept his tone friendly, a little flirty. But he was about to play his ace.
“I’m sure that’s not how you want to spend your time,” she said.
“I’ll tell you what I don’t want.” He switched his tone to serious. “I don’t want another call from Ethan saying that no one has heard from you. I could hear Helen freaking out in the background, and I got six texts from Julia, whom I’ve never even met, in a two-minute period. That’s what I don’t want.”
He also didn’t want to experience again the panic that had shot through him at the thought of something having happened to Sophie. Nope. He wasn’t going there again. She either accepted his proposal or he lurked in the woods near the camp. She huffed out a sigh, and he knew he’d hit a nerve by referencing her friends. She was going to accept his help and protection.
“Using my friends against me. Not fair,” she said with another sigh. “Okay. I accept your assistance.”
“And protection,” he clarified.
“That too,” she agreed. “It might even work out for the best. You can be the muscle. So…thanks, partner.” She held out her hand to shake on the deal.
For one second when their hands touched, he considered pulling her into him. She wouldn’t tolerate it, though. He was surprised and pleased that he’d gotten away with holding her hand when they walked from the lodge to the cabin. He liked the physical contact with her. It was like gripping a live wire. A challenge, but sure to cause a spark.
“I’ll get my bag from my car,” he said, reluctantly letting her go.
“Later,” she said. “If we’re going to do this, we have to put on a good show. Meet and greet over coffee is already underway at the lodge. We’ve got to make an appearance at that and any other mandatory sessions. We can skip the optional activities and use the time to work on the investigation.”