Page 138
Story: Riches and Romance
“And the rest?” JT asked.
It was easy to see that this whole discussion was bothering JT. She wasn’t sure what to do about it. “According to the reports I’ve read, the other two were in Houston that week for aconference. The truth is all you need to worry about is giving me cover. I’ll handle the mission once we get to the island. I assume Mr. Drake will be coming with us.”
“I will,” Drake acknowledged. “Because the whole resort has been bought out by Malone Oil, my only choice is to go in as staff. I’ll be working as waitstaff. Hutch assures me we’ll be able to have eyes on the suspects at all times. I believe the North Korean asset will likely try to make the drop someplace outside the resort. You have a few activities planned off site, correct?”
“We have deep-sea fishing one day, and there’s a beach on the other side of the island where we’ll go for a picnic. There’s also hiking pretty much every day. It’s not hard to get away from the group,” JT admitted.
Tag pointed his way. “That’s why we’ll need everyone to take shifts. I would like to have Nina in a less high-profile position, but it seems like that option isn’t on the table.”
She didn’t think JT needed more guilt. The poor man had been through a lot this morning. He’d found out his one-night stand was going to turn into a week-long nightmare, and that people he’d trusted had betrayed him. She knew what that felt like all too well. “I can make it work. I can certainly keep an eye on the admin. Or rather, she’ll keep an eye on me since she’s already accused me of being a hooker.”
Big Tag looked right at Drake. “A hooker is a woman who sells her sexual services for cash. Although some might take credit cards now.”
Drake’s eyes rolled so far back Nina was almost certain he could see inside his own brain.
“And we should call them sex workers,” Charlotte added.
“That’s what I thought, too.” It was good to know they were on the same page. Girl power. “She seemed very rude.”
“She is. You’ll have a time with that one,” Michael said. “I’ve never understood why JT didn’t fire her.”
JT pushed back off the table and stood. “Is that all? Because Nina and I should probably get to work. What’s your wardrobe like?”
“It’s like clothing. Normal amount of cotton blends. I brought a nice pair of trainers,” she admitted.
JT shook his head. “We’re going shopping. You’re supposed to be the fiancée of a billionaire. I assure you Deanna will know exactly how much your clothes and shoes cost. We’ve got a week until we go to the island. I have to do some work at the office, but with my father being sick, they can’t expect me in every day. However, I’m going to assume it might help for them to see you coming up to the office to spend some time with me. You’ll need to be dressed properly, and by properly I mean expensively.”
Charlotte sighed. “I like the makeover part best.”
Makeover? But he did have a point. Her clothes were perfectly fine for an assistant coming to her first retreat. Not so great for a coddled and indulged fiancée.
“I think you two should spend a lot of time together between now and the retreat,” Big Tag announced. “You need to get your stories straight. I mean it. I want you to speak in one voice when someone asks you how you met. You need to figure it all out right down to where you proposed. One person is already dead. I’m not going to lose Damon’s newest operative because of chemistry.”
“Our chemistry is…” she began.
JT put a hand on her arm. “Of course. We’ll work on that this afternoon. Maybe I can make her like me by buying a shit ton of expensive shoes.”
Charlotte sighed. “It always works for me. Go to Nordstrom and ask for Helena.”
“We’ve put three of Helena’s children through private school with Charlie’s purchases.” Big Tag stood and gave his lady a hand up. “Come on, baby. I can hear Travis from here.”
Sure enough, a low wail was coming from the hallway. Charlotte Taggart had recently given birth to her fourth child, a son they’d named Travis Taggart. There was a daycare on this floor, so the employees didn’t have to be far from their children. Damon was talking about expanding the nursery they kept at The Garden for Oliver Knight and Nathan Carter. When Hayley went back to work, her and Nick’s daughter would be joining the boys.
She liked the daycare, liked having the children close.
“Mrs. Taggart, he woke up hungry.” A young woman strode in carrying a tiny bundle in her arms.
“He’s always hungry.” Big Tag held out his arms and took the baby. “Come on, son. Let’s go to my office. I’m not going to miss a chance to see your mom’s boobs. Now remember, you’re only renting. I bought.”
Charlotte laughed as she followed them. “Have fun. I’ll expect all thePretty Woman-like details the next time we talk.”
“Yeah, I suspect we’ll definitely have a talk very soon.” Michael was watching his brother like he didn’t want to let him go.
But she rather thought JT’d had enough of his brother’s opinions for one day. She reached for his hand. “We should probably get used to showing each other some affection in public.”
His fingers immediately tangled with hers, sliding in like they were puzzle pieces. “Yeah, we should. I’m known for being pretty affectionate with my girlfriends.”
“You are?” Michael’s brow had risen.
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