“It’s okay. I had a child I cared for once who called me Lee.” Her lips lifted. “Not that I’m saying you’re a child.”
“Ah, excuse me.” Luke sighed and walked past them to the gangplank. “I feel like I’m interrupting a moment here and, bro, it’s almost time for the ship to set sail.”
“You’re right. Let’s go.” Tyler held her arm and led her on board as Ben’s sleek silver Jaguar revved in the parking lot. “You and Ben? You’re what to each other? Are you his client?”
“No. He’s a friend and got me this job. I’m not a client at all.”
They walked through the opened double glass doors on the second floor and into the living room where two cozy groupings of four white leather couches faced each other. Black and white sea prints his mother had adored graced the walls painted in her favorite shade of ocean-blue.
Lydia’s shoes clipped across the polished pine floors as she set her case near the stairwell. She inspected the area. “Do you mind if I ask where Liam is?”
“Below-stairs. Luke will grab him for you.”
His brother groaned as he dropped his duffel on the couch. “I will?”
“Yes. Liam’s downstairs checking inventory with Malcolm. Tell him we have a guest, one Lydia Sands, and bring Nico.” He would see how this mysterious woman responded to his nephew, because if she wasn’t a caregiver, he’d soon know.
Luke sent him a good-natured grin as he took off. “I’m onto it, only, bro, you’re not to interrogate the girl while I’m gone. I see that look in your eyes.”
“Just watch where you’re walking.” At thirty-two, he’d kept his family and countless others safe, and Ben had dropped her off. Which meant protection was required in some order, whether she was a client or not.
Leaning toward her, he met her gaze head on. “Okay, it’s you and me. Now, tell me who you truly are.”
Lydia needed a sound, realistic plan because Tyler was on form as he’d always been, and she’d clearly stirred some kind of memory. From the first second, she’d sensed it, which was why she’d said they’d gone out.
“We went out for dinner. If you feel you know me, it’s from then. Ben told me about your memory loss. We went out around the same time.” That should put him off questioning her further.
“Are you saying--” He arched a brow. “--we dated?”
“No. It was just one meal. We didn’t see each other again.”
“How’d we meet?” He crossed his arms.
Okay, maybe he would question her further. “Ben introduced us.” And he had, but not the way she’d said. “I can’t wait to meet Nico.” Where was Luke?
“I’m sure you can’t. How’d this dinner I can’t remember go?” He came closer and touched a finger to her chin then slowly tracked it along her jaw.
“The food was nice.” She swayed and almost brushed noses with him.
“Nice?”
Looking deep into his eyes, she wanted more, just as she had a year ago. “That’s about it.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Footsteps pounded up the stairwell, and she stepped back as a man’s deep chuckle and a child’s delighted squeal traveled to her. Luke raced around the corner carrying a squirming boy over his shoulders. “I told you I’d catch you, Nico. No Whitehall is faster than me.”
“Nah-ah, Uncle Tyler’s the fastest. He told me he’s quicker than Superman.”
“I doubt it.” Luke winked at Tyler as he lowered Nico to his feet. “Superman can dodge bullets. Your Uncle Tyler hasn’t nailed that essential ability yet.”
Tyler laughed. “Hey, it was impossible to dodge three at once.” He looked at her. “Ignore Luke. I got shot a year ago on duty, and now it makes a good joke.”
“Ben told me about the shooting.” Unbelievable. “Why do they joke about it?”
“It’s the best way to ease the stress. I lost some memory from the time of the assignment, but the outcome was all good. I’ve been able to reconnect with my brothers and join Liam, Dylan and Luke at Whitehall Shipping. That wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”
Did he just say the outcome was all good? She tapped her ears. “I’m sorry, your memory loss must be worse than you thought if you consider being shot at as good.”
“Yeah, that’s not quite what I meant.” With a grin, he glanced at his nephew. “Lydia, meet Nico.”
She lowered to Nico’s level and held out her hand. She was here for him. “Hey, Nico. I love your super-yacht.”
The boy with black curls beamed. “Daddy said you were coming.”
Tyler cleared his throat. “Nico, after a girl offers you her hand to shake, you never miss the opportunity to get a kiss on the cheek in too.”
“Okay.” Nico put his tiny hand in hers, and smacked his lips to her cheek.