I mean why do you care about us at all?
Its a job.
Who hired you?
It doesnt matter. What matters to you is that your fiancé is already having an affair. You cant marry a man like that. Jackson wasnt ready to tell her more. Mention of her father would likely alienate her further. He didnt yet have proof of Trents accusations. And if she was having trouble accepting that Vern would cheat, shed never believe he was conning her.
Hes not like that. I dont know where you even came up with that idea.
Shed stopped struggling against his grip, and that was good. Her fear seemed to have been replaced by anger. Jacksons guilt eased off.
Wedding guests, he said, opening the throttle to increase their speed. It was a clear, relatively calm night, thank goodness. They needed to put distance between them and the position where Crista had made the call.
My wedding guests?
Technically, I would say they were Verns wedding guests. They seemed to know him, and they were joking about his relationship with Gracie. I realized I couldnt in good conscience let you marry him, so I took the opportunity and grabbed you.
She was silent for a moment. So this isnt so much crime as altruism.
Yes. The easiest thing for me would have been to walk away.
You can still walk away.
Were on a boat.
Swim away, then. Or drop me off onshore and drive awaymotor away? Float away? What do you call it?
Navigate away. And no, Im not dropping you off onshore. He made a show of looking her up and down, enjoying the view far too much. Youre not dressed, for one thing.
Ill put my wedding dress back on. It might be uncomfortable, but its better than staying here.
Id get thrown in jail, he said.
Darn right. But thats going to happen anyway.
Not for a few hours. And hopefully not ever, although Jacksons worry factor was steadily rising.
How long until we get there? she asked.
Get where?
To the secret location, wherever it is youre taking me. How long until we stop navigating?
Why?
Because Im hungry.
Oh, now youre hungry. Well, youre going to have to wait.
I can eat while you navigate.
Im not letting go of you.
Im not going to jump.
Thats what I thought last time.
Were way too far from shore.
Yeah, but Im sure youve got another brilliant plan in mind already. Sabotage the engine, harpoon me from behind.
You have harpoons on board?
Give me strength, he muttered.
She leaned close to him. Am I annoying you? Frustrating you?
Yes on both counts.
Her argumentative nature was annoying, but his frustration came from a whole other place. She was stimulating and exciting. She was a beautiful, feisty, apparently complex and intelligent woman, and he was battling hard against his sexual attraction to her. He didnt want to be rushing from a crime scene with her as his captive, contemplating the best way to stay out of jail. He wanted to be on a date with her, somewhere great in the city, contemplating how best to get her into his bed.
Theres a simple solution, she told him.
It took a second for him to get his brain back on track. Let you go? he guessed.
Bingo.
Not until we meet up with Mac tomorrow.
Youll let me go then?
He knew he was being cornered, but there really was no choice. He could only hope Mac could come up with definitive proof by morning.
Yes, said Jackson.
Cristas mouth curved into a dazzling smile. They hit a swell, and she pressed against him. Her curves were soft, and her scent was fresh. For a moment the risk of jail seemed almost worth it.
* * *
When Crista awoke, she was disoriented. It took a few seconds to realize the warm body beside her wasnt Vern. She was in bed with someone bigger, harder, with a deeper breathing pattern and an earthier scent. And the bed was moving beneath them.