Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

Striding to his room, Tyler cast off his frustration. No. She’d shaken her head and said no. Now he needed to walk off this aching desire she’d stirred in him. Until the next time. He was not done with her yet.

Pushing open the door of his stateroom, he came face to face with Liam. His brother squeezed his shoulder. “We need to talk.”

“Great.”

“Uncle Tyler, where’s Lydia?” Across the room, Nico bounced on his bed.

“Be careful.”

“I’m–” He tumbled over the edge and landed on one foot and one bent knee then picked himself up. “–fine.”

He ruffled his nephew’s soft mop of hair. “She’s in the last cabin at the bow. Go, and be nice.”

Nico pulled a face and was off, tugging up his blue shorts as he ran.

Which left Liam. His brother sat on the white leather couch at the foot of his bed, and idly crossed his ankles. “Do you want to explain your fascination with my son’s new caregiver? It was obvious above deck. I’ve not seen you even look at a woman this past year.”

Joining Liam, he sat and pressed his hands to his thighs. “She said we went out to dinner, and it would have been right before I was sent to Wellington.” His stomach churned. “She’s young, Liam. Did I ever mention a woman of around twenty back then? And say yes. I need answers.”

“No, and how can Lydia Sands be getting to you like this? One meal? And a year ago? That makes no sense.”

“Hell, I don’t know. I feel there’s more to her than what meets the eye, but I don’t know what.” He rubbed his jaw, his memory loss never more frustrating than at this moment. “Although I won’t stop questioning her until I find out.”

Liam let out a low whistle. “Keep in mind Ben sent her to us. And we all know Ben. He never does anything without good reason.”

“I can’t explain what went through me when I first saw her, but there’s a connection, and it’s undeniable.” No woman had ever gripped him at first sight like she had. This year he’d lived each day with the niggling doubt something more than his memory was missing. Now he’d met Lydia, and that niggle became her.

His brother stared out the long pane of darkened glass, looking lost. It wasn’t unusual for Liam to seek his company, for them to chat, and then for him to sit and not utter a word for some time. Gabriella had been his world. It would be her he thought of as they prepared to depart.

Pressing his palms together, he waited.

“It will be good for Nico to have a female’s influence during this trip, right?” Liam’s words were solemn as he turned back to him.

His mother and Gabriella’s car accident was a senseless tragedy, but the pain of all they’d lost, including their father from a heart attack two years before them would always be there. Now though, the ache had eased and the good recollections surfaced and dominated over the bad. “Nico already seeks her out. You made the right choice.”

His brothers and Nico were family.

Liam knocked his shoulder against his. “So many memories…”

“Yeah.” He rocked forward on the couch. “And we’ll make a ton more.”

Nico’s chatter travelled down the hallway, and they rose to their feet.

“This is Uncle Tyler’s room.” Nico yanked a wide-eyed Lydia inside.

He smiled. Ah, maybe he had an ally in his nephew.

“Daddy, can I take Lydia to Cam’s control room? She needs to see my wheel, the one Grandma made me.”

Lydia dipped her head, curiously inspecting his room. He breathed deep. She was stunning, her high cheekbones flushed red, her lips full and a sweet shade of pink. He glanced at his bed, and then her.

“Sure you can, Nico. That’s a great idea. Ensure she gets a full tour and after you’ve visited Cam, come to the deck. That’s where I’ll be with your uncles,” Liam answered him.

Tyler crossed to the one woman snagging his full attention. “Did you have a chance to unpack before Nico arrived?” He kept his voice low, his words only to her.

Inquisitive brown eyes lifted to his. “No. You have a very nice room.”

“My mother decorated the entire ship. She had a flair for choosing the right fabrics and colors. Every piece of art on the walls was handpicked by her.”

“I’ve noticed how wonderful they are.”

“There’s also a montage of yesteryear prints on the upstairs walls of children playing in the surf. They are restored images of my brothers and me from our earliest vacations. Everywhere I look I’m reminded of her.”

“You said this ship was her baby. You miss her?” Her gaze was soft, full of compassion.

“Always.”

“Yay, Uncle Dylan.” Nico raced to the door in an excited blur.

Damn, there were too many people in his room when he wanted only Lydia.

“Hey, there’s my sprite.” Dylan caught Nico as he bounded into his arms.