Page 38 of Deadly Waves

“I thought you would never ask.”

“EAT UP,baby,” James said as they shuffled through the buffet line an hour later. “You’re going to need a full stomach for what we have planned today.”

Mandy creased her forehead as she glanced at him. “What are we doing today?”

“It’s a surprise.”

A memory niggled the back of Mandy’s brain. She didn’t remember all of the events of the previous evening, but she was almost certain James said something similar when carrying her to their suite. “What surprise?”

“Get a lot of food, Mandy,” James prodded, refusing to answer. “Get eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. Make sure it’s a full breakfast. I don’t want you running on fumes later.”

“James … .”

James ignored Mandy as Grady moved to the spot next to him in the line. “Anything?”

“She’s still missing and the security team claims they’ve searched every common area – including all of the storage rooms in the work areas – and they’ve come up empty,” Grady answered.

“Why did you say claimed like that?”

“Because they didn’t exactly strike me as diligent.”

James rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I’m having the same problem,” he said. “They don’t strike me as bad people, but I’m pretty sure they’re making ten bucks an hour and that’s not exactly high-priced talent in this field.”

“You’ve got that right,” Grady said. “They’re like rent-a-cops, only less qualified.”

Mandy’s mouth dropped open when she realized James was purposely ignoring her. “Hey! What’s my surprise?”

“The surprise is that you need to eat a full breakfast,” James said, pressing his hand against her hip and urging her forward. “Do as I ask.”

“I’m not doing as you ask,” Mandy argued, her eyes flashing. “To be fair, you haven’t asked anything. You’ve ordered me to do things. There’s a difference.”

James tugged on his limited patience as he locked gazes with her. “Will you please eat a full breakfast?”

“Not until you tell me what my surprise is,” Mandy answered. “I heard some people talking and know we’re stopping at a port today. Does that have something to do with my surprise?”

James tilted his head to the side, considering. “Yes.”

“Are you taking me shopping?”

“Maybe tonight because I thought we could have dinner at port, but that’s not your surprise,” James said, his smile wide as he exchanged a conspiratorial look with Grady. “Eat your breakfast.”

“I can’t believe you haven’t told her,” Grady chided. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me until last night either. This is possibly the biggest thing that’s ever going to happen in her life and you’re keeping her in the dark. You’re a bad, bad man.”

Mandy’s heart rolled at the teasing. “What’s my surprise?” She was so loud she caused a few heads to snap in their direction.

“Take it down a notch, baby,” James admonished, using his hand to address her volume issues. “I’m still working here.”

“I’m sorry.” Mandy meant it. “I just … you know I hate surprises. You have to tell me.”

“You don’t hate surprises,” James countered. “You love them. You hate that I keep secrets from you. There’s a difference.”

“James, I’m honestly going to have a meltdown if you don’t tell me,” Mandy said. “I’ll … cry … if it comes to it.”

James’ expression darkened. “That’s emotional blackmail.”

“I know, and I don’t like that I have to do it,” Mandy conceded. “I need to know, though. I’ll die otherwise. Do you want that?”

“You just told me this morning that you’re going to live forever,” James reminded her.