Vivian watched him through the rain-streaked window, her jaw tight. Typical Blake—swagger and sarcasm where caution should be.
The engine rumbled to life, headlights cutting through the mist as they pulled away from the safehouse.
The drive north wound through fog and salt air. Pines pressed close to the road, their tops lost in cloud. Blake hummed tunelessly at the wheel, too relaxed for her liking. Vivian studied the case file in her lap—Laurel Tide: smuggling, extortion, trafficking, and missing agents.
Special Agent in Charge—and the closest surrogate father a person could want—Kurt Maddox’s words echoed:You’re there to keep Blake under control. You want your promotion? Earn it.
When they pulled into the marina, the wind came off the water sharp as glass. Fishing boats rocked against the docks, their masts groaning under the weight of the storm rolling in.
A man in a wool cap lifted a hand as they approached. “You the newlyweds who boughtWindward Lady?”
Before Vivian could answer, Blake slid an arm around her shoulders—warm, heavy, annoyingly confident. “That’s us.”
Vivian stiffened. “Guilty,” she said tightly. “How’d you guess?” For all she knew, he already knew they were FBI. Laurel Tide had been one step ahead too many times. They thought the leak had been plugged after the Christmas Cove op, but Jensen went missing a day after transmitting intel about this marina.
The man chuckled, oblivious. “Only expecting one happy couple today. Slip C-12. Watch your step. She’s a little rough.” He gestured down the dock. “Name’s Dan. Come on—I’ll take you to her.”
“Thanks,” Blake said cheerfully, steering Vivian along with a subtlerelaxglance. Allowing space to grow between them and their escort.
“You can let go now,” she hissed under her breath.
“Locals are watching,” he murmured against her ear. “Play the part.”
His tone grated—commanding, practiced, and far too effective. She refused to react. She’d learned long ago never to let her personal life bleed into her work. Unlike her father. She would never compromise her career for desire.
“You’re enjoying this,” she muttered.
“Little bit,” he murmured. “You make a great fake wife, Viv. Only kind I’ll ever have the pleasure of in this job.”
“Try that again when we're alone. Remember, I’m armed.”
The retort died the moment she saw the boat.
TheWindward Ladysagged against the dock, rust bleeding down her sides. The wheelhouse windows were fogged with mildew, and the name barely clung to the peeling paint.
Dan spread his hands like a man presenting a masterpiece. “She’s a fixer-upper, but a young couple like you? You’ll whip her into shape.” He handed Blake a card. “Don’t forget, I’m Dan, and anything you need, I’m your man. I work on the docks—can fix just about anything.”
“Great,” Blake said—far too gleeful for Vivian’s comfort.
Viv leaned in, laid a hand on Blake’s chest, and smiled tightly. “No need. My amazing husband here isincrediblyhandy. Aren’t you, sweet bear?”
Blake’s grin flashed, wind whipping through his hair. “Aw, love is blind. She fell for me hard. Chased me for months before I agreed to start dating.”
Viv slid an arm behind his back and pinched him—hard. Not that it mattered. The man had zero body fat and the resilience of a brick wall. Unfair. He lifted a few weights and looked like a Greek god; she killed herself in the gym just to maintain her figure. He was infuriating. People flocked to him effortlessly.
She smiled sweetly. “And then you had to give up your playboy ways. Took you over a year to get me to trust you. Thought he’d die from lack of attention.”
He snugged her to his chest and dipped his chin down as if to kiss her. Her body tightened. She refused to react to the way he leaned in. She couldn’t break cover.
“But she was worth it in the end.” He leaned closer, and she closed her eyes, preparing herself for one of Thomas Blake’s infamous kisses that drove ladies to fall in love with him and chase him like he was the only water left in the world. She focused on the mission, not him. So for the sake of their cover, she’d have to allow it. But instead of his lips, his nose grazed hers, and he smacked her backside. “Later, honey. We don’t want to make our new friend uncomfortable.”
The first snowflake hit her cheek, melting hot against her skin. She’d have clocked him one if Dan the Man wasn’t standing two feet away, grinning like they were a new circus act in town. “I’ll give you two some privacy, but I’m around if you need me.” He scurried away.
Vivian forced a tight smile, teeth clenched. “You really think this boat’s going to get us inside Laurel Tide?”
Blake gave her that infuriating smile—the one that looked like equal parts charm and bad idea. “Sure. She’s got character.”
“Character?” She glanced at the rust streaking down the hull. “She’s got tetanus.”
