Page 323 of The Romance Adventure

“You’re very kind.” I have to remind myself to breathe.

His gaze flicks to mine and I can’t be sure if he registers any familiarity. “It’s a good night for a cigar. If you’ll excuse me.” Hand planted mid-chest, he makes a genial little bow and continues down the hallway.

Legs wobbly, I barely make it through the main rooms where the guests continue to mingle, completely unaware that a computer program attempted to steal a Faberge Egg. Meanwhile, I got what I came for.

I’d like to say I take a deep breath when I get outside, but it’s not until I’m on a flight west that I fully breathe again.

What I told Zayn Alberts was true. My heart does belong to someone else. And I’m going home, even though Coco Key isn’t where I grew up. No, I bounced between Concordia, England, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary for a hot minute. Oh, and there was that summer in France and some schooling in the US.

But they say home is where the heart is, and mine is on that little forgotten island, even though I have to end things.

If I had a do-over, would I not have chosen to marry my husband?

Actually, yes, and not for the expected reasons. It started with a smirk from across the crowded room on a sultry night in Spain. The next thing I knew, we danced until the sky started to lighten with dawn.

But he’s the opposite of Zayn in every way: tall, strong, and tan from years of boating and diving, treasure hunting and adventuring.

No, I didn’t judge my husband on looks alone, but it helped.

Yes, I lied, but not about what language I spoke.

No, he doesn’t know what I do. He can’t.

Yes, I was on a job, but not that night.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the man with all my heart, but if I could rewind and start over, I would. However, not because I want a different outcome. But the details matter and there are some I withheld, mainly for his safety. Though I’m sure he’s capable of handling himself.

It has more to do with his not knowing the lengths to which Kent Von Dräger will go to guard what he believes is rightfully his.

I’m well aware that there’s a major conflict of interest here. The situation pricks something inside. But it’s too late to go back. I can’t change the course I’m on.

This is where hope comes in, because there’s no schematic, detailed plan, or standard operating procedure to follow.

As I imagine the turquoise sea surrounding Coco Key, I’m in uncharted water when it comes to love.

For now, I’ll focus on what I know and review the material from the case. I’m close to having enough dirt on Von Dräger to bring him in. First, I have to wait for him to make a move. A false move that exposes him, which he’s historically been careful not to do. Then again, he’s never had the ultimate treasure he seeks. It’s the same one I’m after and my husband too—though he doesn’t know that.

With the same care I would handle an ancient manuscript, top-secret document, or even a piece of evidence, I unfold the scrap of paper I stole from Kent Von Dräger’s humidor.

It only means something to certain people, and even then, it’s merely a means to an end. I take a photo of the thick, aged, wrinkled portion of the map in case it’s ruined or lost.

Studying it, I can’t quite make sense of the lines and markings until, like a piece of a puzzle, I match it with the other three parts.

Doing so isn’t a question of if, but how and when. I still have to work out those details. The good news is that my husband doesn’t hide the other pieces in a humidor. They should be easy enough to obtain.

In the meantime, I know what I’m looking for somewhere along the island chain—the link to the distant past, but mine as well.

I’m not the only one looking for the treasure, but none of them know that I’m the competition, least of all my father.

Shortly after I was put on this case, I saw Von Dräger for the first time in person. Aside from his list of crimes, something about him kept me up at night. It was something I couldn’t put my finger on until I was reviewing imagery intelligence.

It’s all in the eyes.

As for my husband, if he knows anything about me, other than what I’ve told him, he’s really good at hiding it. However, I’m trained in data and asset collection, analysis, clandestine operations, and have years of on-the-job training. Not to mention my hands are registered weapons.

It’s safe to say I’d know if he knew my true identity. The problem is I know about me and lies are hard to live with.

They say love conquers all, but can it handle deceit and theft?