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“Edward had created this AI program that allowed cars to self-drive, along with other applications that could be applied to drones and a host of military innovations, and he wanted to sell it. So I sent him to my father, who was on the board of a tech company. My father said no—and Edward went to his competitor. What I didn’t know was that conversation was overheard by someone who had invested heavily in my father’s tech company... and he murdered Edward so that he could keep Edward’s program from the competition.”
Wow.“Is this what your sister’s podcast was about?”
She nodded.
“I haven’t listened to it, but, Tia—that doesn’t sound like your fault.”
“If I hadn’t sent him to my father?—”
“Seriously. You can’t cause and effect everything that happens. It completely takes out the God factor?—”
“Are you saying God’splanwas for Edward to bemurdered?”
He looked at her, suddenly unable to speak. “No. God never causes evil. That happens because we live in a fallen world. But He did... He did know.”
And that meant He also knew that Juliet would careen off the road on the morning of their wedding....
Doyle hung his hand on the back of his neck. “We can’t control everything that happens to us. At some point, I think we just have to figure out how to move forward. And most of all, we can’t look back to our choices and let them hold us hostage.” From the patio, music began to play. “What did you mean back when you told Jamal that you’d believed something about yourself that wasn’t true?”
She stared at him, then gritted her jaw and turned away.
“Tia—”
“That I matter.”
He blinked, trying to let the words land.
She sighed. “The fact is, I think I was trying to make Edward love me. I mean, he loved me, but he loved my sister more. And I thought, if we could be partners, if I could help him get his program off the ground... Silly, I know. But I just couldn’t admit that I’d said yes to marrying a man just because I didn’t want to be the forgotten older sister.”
“The forgotten?—”
“Never mind.” She turned to face him. “I realized tonight that I was doing it again. Getting in over my head. Maybe I was just numb after today’s... well, after today. But it hit me, sitting at dinner, when Ethan suggested we go into the mines that... Idon’twant to find gold and face Sebold and...” Her expression broke. “I don’t want to put anyone else’s life in danger because I’m listening to my fears and trying to be in charge.”
“You are sort of in charge. I was impressed with your presentation.”
She touched his chest, let the silence of the night slip between them. “Thank you for saving me today.”
Oh.And suddenly her hand on his chest heated through him, and she lifted her face to meet his.
His gaze fell on her lips, slightly parted, a question in her eyes.
The rush of desire crested over him, the night stirring the breezes, the shadows luring him to?—
He put his hand over hers and blew out a breath.Coworkers. And there was too much riding on this job for her for something to go south between them.
Maybe too much for him too, if he was honest. So he slid her hand off, then squeezed and let go. “Please stop trying so hard, Tia. It’ll all work out.”
She gave him a tight smile, but the warmth in her gaze, the question, was replaced by something he couldn’t name.Sadness? Relief?
“So, that was your sister today? Our scuba guide?”
He frowned at her question. “Yeah. She’s a professional guide in Key West. I think Declan met her at my sister’s wedding. Why?”
She shook her head, wearing a sort of wry smile. “No reason.”
Hmm.Then,speaking of diving—“What if we were able to get shipments in without Sebold knowing?”
Life sparked in her expression. “Really?”