Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

Light streamed through cream blinds revealing a gorgeous ocean view.

Lowering one knee to the white shag carpet, Tyler bent before a small safe beside the huge mahogany desk. “Obviously you’re not to speak a word of your case with my brothers. The most I’ll tell them is Ben’s requested I go active and to keep you in my sight, and out of everyone else’s.” He keyed the unlock sequence and removed a gun. Sweeping his fingers over his weapon, he checked the safety and rose. “You haven’t answered me.”

“You didn’t ask a question.” She was used to Ben and Brigs carrying weapons, and Tyler had done the same a year ago. Except that fateful morning, his gun had been stowed in the bag he’d dropped into the trunk of his car.

He tucked his gun into the back rise of his navy cargo shorts then grasped her hands. “You’re to stay out of sight.”

“Yeah, I have that nailed down to a fine art.” She sighed as his shirt flapped free at the front. “Sorry about the two buttons.”

“I’ll find them and you can sew them back on.” He tipped up her chin and kissed her. “In the meantime, come with me.” How could he have forgiven her so quickly? She’d been so sure of his anger, his hatred, but those emotions hadn’t even appeared, not a smidgeon.

They took the stairs down to his room and Tyler shut them inside. He tossed his shirt on the couch then from his drawers removed another and dragged it over his head. His muscles rippled under the tight black cotton. “Are you okay?”

“I’m surprised.”

He guided her to the couch. “Tell me what else happened this morning for things to so radically change. Why is Ben now sending Brigs?”

She pressed her sticky palms together. “There was a leak. I have name suppression, but today’s newspaper headline says Eyewitness in Johnny Taita Murder Investigation Turns Twenty-One, Along with Her Twin. Ben’s furious. He said out of the two-hundred and two people born the same day as me, ninety-eight are female. My sister and I are the only twins.”

“Your sister is your twin?” He held up a hand. “Hold on. You never said that, not once.”

“I know. I’m very protective of her. She had to join me in The Program. She’s my identical twin.”

“So Ben cares for you both?”

“Yes, because the killer knew where to find me. He saw me outside Lawntree’s property. It was why the police put a guard on me right after Johnny’s hit-and-run. They were covering their bases, but then the killer returned and shot you, and The Program took over. Ben continued with my case as my appointed Program guard.”

“From now on, you remain glued to my side, and abide by any safety precautions I issue. Too much information has leaked, and if anyone wanted to surf the net, they could get a name, and in today’s computer age, an image would soon follow.”

“That’s what Ben said. I know you think I’m staying, but I won’t involve innocent people. You’ve already taken three bullets for me, and I won’t allow that to happen again. I’m just glad you don’t hate me. I’d never ask for anything more.”

“Hate doesn’t even come into the equation, neither does you leaving. You’re staying here.”

“No, I’m not, and I’ll fight you on that.” She stood and made for the door. “Until Brigs gets here, I’ll do what you say, but only until then.”

“We’ll see, and where do you think you’re going?” He fell into step beside her as she walked down the corridor. At the stairs, he moved ahead.

“To collect some beach gear for Nico.”

“You’re staying on board.” He halted her where the glass doors led to the deck.

“Oh, look.” A long wharf jutted out from Resort Island, and at the top end of the walkway, a dark-skinned man with springy black hair waved them in toward a berth.

“Here.” Tyler scooped up her hair and rolled it into a bundle before setting a black peaked cap from a side drawer over top. “If you’re in anyone’s sight, keep your chin down. We’re only a couple hundred feet from the beach. You go no further than the deck without me.”

The captain reversed into their slot and the islander in his yellow shorts and polo with the resort’s logo emblazoned on it, snatched the end of a coiled mooring rope and tossed it to a crewmember at the stern.

Wow. They were here. Such a striking white sand beach, and beyond a mass of palm and coconut trees swayed, giving a glimpse of the resort tucked behind. People lazed on the beach and dozens swam in the surf.

“Hey.” Luke came around the corner and tugged on the peak of her cap. “We should celebrate your birthday in style with a huge party on the beach. What do you say?”

Her heart lightened, and then dropped. There would be no party, no matter where or how, and one glance at Tyler’s stern look told her she was right. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Tyler drew her back against him. “We’ll think of something on board for later tonight.”