“That would be the thing,” Luke interrupted silkily. “You don’t have just cause. I’ve already told you, I don’t know Mina James. Never had the pleasure.” But I will.
Garrick marched forward, stopping only when he was toe-to-toe with Luke. Then, voice low and cutting, he said, “I know you’re lying.”
“He just insulted you,” Rayce said. “First he arrived uninvited, then he insults you. That is ballsy.”
“Wanker,” Julian threw in, nodding.
Garrick’s gaze cut first to Rayce, then to Julian. “Who the hell are you two?”
“They’re my personal security team,” Luke said, his voice perfectly smooth. “They monitor all of the activity on the island, and I assure you, if Mina James was here, they’d know it.”
“Mina who?” Rayce wanted to know.
“Got a pic of her?” Julian asked at the same time.
Garrick’s skin couldn’t get much redder. Beside him, Agent Lang glanced around nervously while the woman—she kept glaring at them all.
“Of course, he has a picture,” Luke announced, after a beat as the tension mounted. “Garrick keeps it in his inner coat pocket. Right next to the heart she wanted him to cut out.”
Garrick surged forward.
Luke put his hand on the man’s chest. “You don’t want to do that.” He didn’t use any force, though he was sorely tempted to shove the man back. To toss him twenty feet. To throw the guy’s ass into the ocean. “I have cameras all over this island. And I’m sure the last thing your boss at the FBI wants is for you to suddenly appear on the evening news, starring in a video as you attempt to attack me.” He paused. “Attempt being the key word. Because that video would mostly show you getting your ass kicked.”
“Get your hand off me,” Garrick spat.
The female agent had circled around them, moving off the little path. Her hand went to her holster. The other agent, Lang, was still standing there, and sure looking as if he wished to be a million miles away.
Luke let his hand linger a moment longer, long enough to prove that he was moving it away from Garrick only because he wanted to do so.
“There are two ways to do this,” Garrick informed him as the agent’s hands went to his hips.
“Oh, tell me more…” Luke invited, sounding bored, because he was.
“You let me search your property. You and your guards stay out of my way. You let me get Mina James and my team will walk out of your life.”
Julian leaned forward. His hands moved languidly in the air, the movement imitating wings. “I think you mean fly out. ‘Cause you can’t walk on the water.”
Garrick sent him a killing look. “Option two,” he snapped.
“I can’t handle the suspense,” Luke said.
Garrick’s hands had fisted on his hips. “Option two is that we leave now…and we’re back in the hour with a full force of FBI agents and local law enforcement authorities. We tear your house apart, and we still find the woman. Only we take her and all three of you…” His index finger swept over the group. “And you’re charged with harboring a fugitive. All of you are locked up. No more private island. No more mansion. Just a new cell buddy and a pot to piss in as you wait for trial.”
Luke couldn’t help it. He tossed back his head and laughed. Oh, damn, but he hadn’t realized that Garrick would be amusing. It was just…
Adorable.
“I’m not fucking kidding,” Garrick snarled.
Luke couldn’t contain his laughter.
Garrick shook his head. His fingers were hovering so close to his holster.
It will take more than tranqs to stop me.
Luke sucked in a deep breath, then another. “Sorry,” he finally managed. “That was just…so cute. That you think I don’t have a dozen of the highest priced lawyers in the world at my beck and call, just waiting to deal with any shit that comes my way. Or…” Another chuckle escaped. “That you don’t think half the senators in D.C. owe me favors—that I don’t have pull at the FBI or every other government agency.”
For just an instant, worry flashed on Garrick’s face.
Luke had no more laughter. He did have a cold promise to offer. “You’re playing out of your league with me. I’m warning you about that now. Tread carefully or you will get burned.”
“Did you just threaten a federal agent?” Garrick demanded.
Luke shrugged. “Take my words however you will…”
Garrick motioned toward the other two agents. “We are searching this island. You can’t stop us, we—”
“I’ll go with you on that search,” Luke announced. “I’ll personally escort you around my home. Then you and your friends will leave—minus this mysterious Mina James because she isn’t in my home—and you will never show your face here again. If you do, I’ll be calling my lawyers and all of those friendly senators I mentioned.”
Garrick was seething. “Then get the hell on with that escort.”
Luke rubbed his chin. “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to use some magic words. Have you ever heard of please?”
Oh, if looks could kill…