Page 12 of An Epic Voyage

Still, it had felt intimate in the enclosed room.Her only reasoning was that she hadn’t wanted his hands on her.She might not have been able to stop herself from jumping his bones.

She’d thrown out that jab about facial recognition.Little did he know that she, in fact, had access to the world’s most sophisticated software.That hadn’t been her impetus for taking the picture, though.It was for Piper and Chelsea.They appreciated a fine-looking specimen as much as she did.Maybe she’d snapped it for herself, too, if she were being honest.A little souvenir from her latest mission.

As they navigated the boat, she surveyed the surroundings.She needed to check out most of the yacht to determine if the nuclear weapon was on board.Still, it would be next to impossible, judging from the size and the number of security personnel she witnessed prowling around, not to mention the dozens of cameras.

More than likely, her opportunity would arise on Van Houten Island.She’d studied the plans and had committed to memory the places she wanted to search.The article she’d read mentioned a safe room, but it wasn’t on the blueprints.She’d need to find it.

Her task seemed monumental, but failure wasn’t an option.The repercussions could be deadly, especially if Jabari Abdullahi got his murderous hands on the nuke.She shuddered to think of the damage that would rain down on Africa if that’s where he chose to use it.For all she knew, he might have a target somewhere else in the world, maybe even in the United States.

Inside a secret storage compartment in her makeup case, Indy had several microscopic cameras she planned to place around the boat to monitor any movement of the device.They were small enough that Griffin shouldn’t be able to see them.She’d need to be careful where she placed them.

“So, Griff—can I call you Griff?”

“No.”

She didn’t even try to hide her smile.Sparing with him was quickly becoming her favorite pastime.“Griffin, I’m assuming you’re in charge of Van Houten’s security detail.”

He shook his head.“Just a cog in the wheel.”

Yeah, right.She’d noticed the way the others would straighten when he neared.They observed his movements.“Everyone seems to defer to you.”

He simply shrugged.

“How many security personnel are on board?”

“Lots.”

She frowned.She had a feeling he was being conveniently obtuse.“Am I allowed to explore, or will Griffin clones accost me everywhere I go?”

He turned to her with one brow raised above his sunglasses.“Why would you want that?”

She held out her arms.“Look around.It’s incredible and begs to be explored.I’ve never been on a yacht before.The sybarite in me can’t wait to see more.”

“Sybarite?That’s an awfully big word.”

Indigo stopped and slammed her hands on her hips.He noticed and turned to her.“What?”

“Griffin Dean, you are a snob.”

“Why?”He seemed genuinely perplexed.

“That was a slam because you think I’m not too bright.Is it because I’m a beautician?”

“What?Now who’s the snob?Your occupation or education had nothing to do with my comment.Touchy much?And I never said I thought you had a low IQ.”

Actually, it had been a stupid miscalculation on her part.It would be better for her if he thought she was dumb.It was easier to fly under the radar when people expected little from you.She knew how to play the blonde bimbo, but for some reason, she didn’t want Griffin to see her that way.

Indy mentally slapped herself.She was on a crucial mission that could save hundreds, maybe thousands, of lives.She didn’t have time for a distraction, even an incredibly handsome one.

“So, can I wander?”

“No.I’ll show you around.”

“No offense, Griff, but I’m a grown woman.”She thought she heard him mutter,I’ve noticed.Her body shuddered.“I don’t need a chaperone.”

“No offense, Indigo, but you’ve got one, like it or not.”