Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

“Right, I get it. I take it the sweet ride off the deep end of the wharf is all yours?”


“Yes. The crew restocked supplies this afternoon. We sail on the high tide to the far side of the island. There’s so much bush around there, that very few ships drop anchor. We’re almost guaranteed privacy.”

Brigs adjusted his army duffel over his shoulder and caught Lydia’s elbow. “Let’s move out then.”

Tyler stayed on Lydia’s other side, keeping her snugly between them.

Lydia cast a glance his way as they passed couples strolling along the beach hand-in-hand. The surf rolled in, foamy waves rising to beat against thick round pillar posts as they made their way along the wharf to their berth. Brigs strode ahead up the gangplank and Tyler set his hand to the small of her back.

From inside, Nico called out it was dinner.

Lydia slowed at the glass doors and plucked off her cap. She spread her fingers under her hair and swished it. Silky dark chocolate tresses tumbled to her waist. Damn, he loved her hair.

He caught a lock and ran his fingers down the smooth shaft.

“What are you doing?”

“You understand why you’re not going?” Twining the length around his finger, he tugged her closer.

She poked his chest. “Yeah, because you’re a dummy.”

He grinned. “But a dummy who likes your smart mouth.”

She reached up and kissed him. “I need to eat. It takes boundless energy to keep up with you, and right now I’m low on fuel for our next argument.”

He let her go, and she grabbed a seat next to Nico. She picked up his nephew’s knife and fork. As she cut his meat, he glanced at Brigs. His friend knew his brothers well from the years they’d worked together. Brigs chatted to them, and then sat next to Lydia.

Tyler came around the table and sat opposite the one woman who held all his attention. His brothers eased into their chairs.

With his legs stretched out, he caught one of Lydia’s feet between his, needing the contact.

“What are you doing?” She crooked her head to the side.

“Exactly what it looks like, and a bit more.” He hooked her foot higher and propped it into his lap.

Luke let out a low whistle from beside him. “Bro, she looks angry.”

“She’s looked that way all day.” Tyler cut into his steak then turned to Nico. “How’d Uncle Luke do on the sandcastle building?”

“Every single one he made fell down. Daddy’s was the best.”

Luke chuckled. “In my defense there were a lot of scantily dressed woman on the beach. So many thongs, and it was most distracting.”

Tyler grinned. “Well, you’ll be able to build better ones tomorrow. The beach we’re going to is within a secluded cove.” He glanced back at Nico. “I’m told it has dolphins close by.”

“Can we swim with them?” Nico’s eyes bulged.

“Yes, but you’ll need to wear your wetsuit and a life-vest.”

Nico beamed.

Luke held up his hands, weighing the left down and the right up. “Hmm, thongs and beach babes, over dolphins and sandcastle building. That’s a tough call.” Everyone laughed.

Returning to Lydia, Tyler ran his hand over her caught foot and massaged the sensitive arch. “You want to join us and swim with the dolphins, Lee?”

“Lee?” Brigs set his cutlery down with a loud clatter. “Tyler, what did you just call Lydia?”

“Lee. Why?”

“I thought you didn’t have any memory recall of this one.”

“I don’t, and what’s calling her Lee got to do with my lost memories?”

“A lot.” Brigs arched a brow at Lydia. “Has anyone else ever called you Lee? You know, apart from…”

Lydia caught a hand to her mouth. “No. I didn’t put the two together like that. Shoot.”

Okay, why was she freaking?

Brigs stood and moved behind Lydia’s chair then guided her to her feet. “Apologies folks. Little lady here needs to have some confession time.” Brigs jerked a look at him. “Alone, and with you. Obviously it’s case-sensitive.”

Her gaze darted around the table. “I’m sorry for disrupting the meal.”

Tyler scraped back his chair. “The office is this way.” He led her into the room and shut the door. “Would you care to explain what Brigs is on about?”

“I’m so sorry. During your time at Jeffrey Lawntree’s, you called me Lee. You and Jay were the only ones, but I didn’t think much of it beyond that.”

He stiffened. “I think this warrants some form of memory recall, which means you have some serious explaining to do.”



Lydia searched her mind. What else might she have missed? “Tyler, we spent every daylight hour together, you, me and Jay. There were so many subjects we spoke about, your family and mine. From that first day I boarded your ship, you had this way about you, not with displaying any prior knowledge of me, but certainly the emotional connection was there. Definitely the attraction.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I mean, you were totally professional back then. You stuck to your guns.”