“Really?I didn’t realize that.”The man was good at acting and pulling off the baffled look.
It was all bullshit.Just a ruse to make her think he cared about sharks when he couldn’t care less.“I’m shocked; for a man of your status, you’re not informed of every nuance of everything you buy.”
“Some things I don’t pay attention to.”
“Like the fact your hotel is built on a marsh field?”she asked innocently as she sipped her wine.
“There are ways around it.Money can solve many problems, Miss Grant.”
“Really?I figured common sense would.Like building on the north side of the island for one, or better yet, leaving this island.”
Miles’s face turned hard as granite.She could see anger radiating from every pore.“I think this evening is over, Miss Grant.”
Mac had done exactly what she’d told herself not to do.Piss him off.The man now knew her name and what she did for a living.She had just royally fucked up.She should have just stayed home.
The only thing she could do now was graciously bow out.“I think you’re right.Enjoy your evening, Miles.”Mac rose from her seat and headed for her house.
She glanced out of the corner of her eye to see Barry leaning across the table, talking softly to Annabelle.She seemed to be hanging on his every word as if he’d hung the moon and stars.They were so intent on each other, Barry didn’t seem to notice she was leaving.
It was just as well he didn’t see her probably ruin yet another mission.Miles would be ever cagier now that he knew she was on to him.Why hadn’t she just kept her damn mouth shut?Maybe she really wasn’t cut out for this spy business.
Chapter 25
Barry noticed Mac storming away from Miles’s table.He would have to ask her about it when the dinner was over.What had she been thinking sitting with him?Talking to him?At first, she had looked flirty with him, and then his fiery Mac had shown her true colors, and they’d seemed to look angry at each other.
He hoped in her anger she hadn’t revealed they were looking into him.Mac had a tendency to speak before thinking.
“Well, I should go,” Annabelle announced.
“The night is young, or are you going to turn into a pumpkin by midnight, Cinderella?”He was ready to call it a night but didn’t want her to think he was rushing for it to be over.
“No,” Annabelle giggled.“But Miles has an appointment that I need to be there for tomorrow evening.I need to work on a few things at the office beforehand and find time to get my beauty sleep.”
“The hotel and its issues?”Barry guessed.
“No, business dealings on the north side of the island.Some fishing matters.I won’t bore you with the details.”She waved it off with a flick of her hand.
“You know, you never did tell me how you ended up working for a man like him.”In fact, she had hardly spoke about herself at all.She had a way of deflecting the conversation.
“Another time.”
Barry could tell she was avoiding the explanation, but he wasn’t going to push her.He might need to ask her out again to get more information, and he didn’t want to rouse suspicion.“Ah, another one of those good things to those who wait.”
“Exactly.”She laughed, standing up to gather her things.
Barry stood up as well and pulled her chair out of the way.“Well, thank you for a lovely evening.”He wouldn’t get any more details from her right now.The bug in her bag should pick it up tomorrow and show where they were going.
“I hope you won’t make me wait too long until the next time.”Annabelle stood there a moment as if waiting for something.If it was a kiss, she would be waiting a long time.Flirting was one thing.Kissing her was another.He didn’t want his lips anywhere near her.
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.I can walk you to your car,” he offered.Barry still had a tracker on him that he could put on her vehicle.
“That’s alright, have a good evening, Sean.”Annabelle stepped closer and leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek.
“You too, Annabelle.”It took all of Barry’s hard training not to shudder from her touch or step away.
Annabelle gathered her bag and strutted away, putting an extra sway into each step.More than one man watched her leave.One even looked at him like he was crazy for not going after her.He had every intention of going after his woman, but it wasn’t Annabelle.
Barry noticed Miles watching Annabelle leave, but she didn’t look in his direction.Miles turned to stare at him.He could almost feel Miles’s probing gaze from across the courtyard, trying to read him.
