“Álvarez isn’t used to losing.”
“The skeet shooting is a rematch,” Gaby correctly concluded.
“Yes, and it’s more than a game to him. Winning is his identity. He’ll want to reassert his control and prove he’s still the one setting the terms.
“And while he does?”
He met her gaze in the moonlight, unable to miss the sparkle of mist on her skin and lashes. Bloody hell, she was a distraction.
Rhys glanced over her head at the rock walls, the palms above, the open sky masquerading as freedom. At anything other than her to maintain his cool.
“He’ll be focused on me, not his muses. Or mine.”
“Which gives me time to search for Natalie,” she said, understanding dawning.
“You and Mateo,” he clarified.
“But what about security?”
“If anyone asks, you’re taking your daily exercise as your master requires,” he said, certain in a way she wasn’t yet. “No one will question a guest’s companion obeying her master’s commands. Or that she’s guarded as she does so.”
Her eyes narrowed, calculation replacing fatigue. “Natalie is behind that iron gate.”
“Agreed,” he replied.
“How do we get in?”
“You and Mateo will figure it out,” he said. “In the meantime, I’ll give Álvarez some stiff competition and keep him occupied.” He didn’t mind the challenge. The company was another matter.
She angled a look up at him. “Have you ever shot skeet?”
“Never. But I’ve had hours of rifle practice.” He shrugged. “How hard could it be? If Álvarez thrashes me, he won’t want to stop. All the better for us.”
“Or you beat him,” she countered, “requiring another contest and buying Mateo and me more time.”
His hands settled on her shoulders to drive his next point home. “Don’t challenge anyone directly. You observe. You count. You come back.”
“And if I find her?”
His jaw tightened a fraction. “Then we adjust.”
She nodded once. No dramatics. No hesitation.
“You held your ground tonight,” he murmured. “You earned this.”
Her lips parted. “This?”
“The chance to finish what we came here to do.”
Determination hardened her features, but he didn’t miss the wince when she moved.
He extended his hand toward the water. “It’s not a jacuzzi, but the warm salt water should help.”
She glanced at the rippling pool, a shadow crossing her face. “Are you joining me?”
“As inviting as that looks?” His mouth curved. “Try and stop me.”
Rhys kicked off his shoes and unbuttoned his trousers. Before he stepped out of them, he heard a splash.
