"Two flights and a ferry ride is exhausting, but I see why people do it. Isadora Island definitely meets the description of island paradise. At least as far as I've seen."
Jason's smile widened. "Without question. And please, take the opportunity to enjoy it during your off hours. If we're going to be on a long-term assignment away from home, might as well enjoy the beach." He checked his watch. "I need to go. Here's your room key." He handed her a keycard. "You have time to get settled. We're meeting in room 336 in two hours. Your room is 335. We're all on the same hallway."
She nodded. 'We' probably includes Knox.Thanks for the heads-up.
He looked at his watch again.
Allie noticed his stance, and which direction his feet pointed. Jason really wanted to leave. "Don't let me keep you." She held up her keycard. "I'm fine. I'll see you in two hours. Room 336."
"Great. Glad you're here. I'll see you in two hours."
She watched him walk out the front door of the hotel. There was something different about his gait from the last time she worked with him. A new lightness. She'd heard the woman he was dating was also working on Isadora Island temporarily. He was obviously on his way to see her. Obvious to Allie at least. Observations like that came second nature. Usually.
That was why she was here. Not to analyze Jason Bridger. She was here to analyze bad guys. Or suspected bad guys.
Her duties for WhiteRock varied, but reading people was her specialty. At least it had been until her last mission. She'd missed the red flags.
Again, the relentless questions gnawed at her confidence—as they had for the past three months.
The severity of the fallout made her mistake unforgivable. Which is why she shouldn't still be employed. And yet—by some miracle—here she was.
She tried to shove the haunting thoughts from her mind as she walked to the elevators. But she'd have to face Knox soon. She hadn't seen him in person since that tragic night. Since he'd put pressure on her wound and ridden to the hospital with her. The last time she saw him was in the emergency room.
He'd texted several times during her recovery. But they both knew her phone was being monitored by the FBI, so there was only so much she could glean from those texts. She wouldn't know where she stood with him until she looked him in the eyes today.
And she was afraid of what she'd see. Or not see.
Knox didn't know why people liked to jog on the beach. It looked cool in the movies—someone taking a morning run with waves lapping near their feet.
He'd decided to try it this morning. Not. A. Fan.
Running on sand was slow and tiring. The ground was so uneven. He'd stick to the jogging path around the resort from now on. The view was still amazing. And he'd be less likely to sprain an ankle.
He'd returned from his less-than-satisfying run along the seashore hours ago and headed straight for The Mandeville's fitness center—because he had more nervous energy than he knew what to do with.
Allie Harkwood would walk back into his life today. At least into his professional life.
And she made him feel more unbalanced than the sand on the beach.
A long shower, a brief call to his mom in Austin, and a club sandwich later, he still had an hour to kill before the meeting in 336. How was he supposed to—
His phone vibrated. A text from Allie popped up.
I'm at The Mandeville. Jason said we meet in an hour. Do you have time to talk first? I'll keep it short.
That didn't sound promising. But what did he expect? At least she wanted to talk. And he'd rather not have Jason and Rowan staring at them when he saw her for the first time in three months. Because he wasn't sure what she'd say. Or what he'd say.
He texted back.
Sure. Now is fine. I'm in Room 333. Or I can come to you?
He watched the three dots dance on the screen, wondering if he sounded too eager.
On my way.
A minute later, a soft knock on the door announced her arrival. He rubbed the back of his neck, checked himself in the mirror, prayed for wisdom, and opened the door.
Rowan's fist, poised to knock a second time, greeted him. No sign of Allie.
