Page 124 of Maneater

“All right, super hot spy girl, are you ready to get this thing going?”

That smile goes absolutely devious before she nods. “Let’s go.”

“Any updates?” I ask two hours later, sidling up to Josie as she stares at the party, a bit of an annoyed look on her face.

“No. I’m starting to think tonight isn’t going to be the night.”

“No?”

She shakes her head and sighs heavily. “Rory’s watching the feeds of his apartment driveway, and his car has been parked there all day. From what she sees, he hasn’t gotten on the boat in at least three days, which is how far back we’ve been able to see with their system.”

Since we outsource the operation of the boat that transports employees to and from the island, their security footage is not stored on our cloud. However, Rory was able to hack into it remotely last night for this reason.

“So he’s not here.”

She shakes her head. The frown between her eyebrows is so fucking cute, the disappointment that she won’t be able to enact her big plan tonight is plain.

“I think we might be clear tonight. We’re still staying vigilant, but…” She shrugs like this is a huge disappointment to her. “I think we’ll have to reconvene and try to figure out a new plan.”

I look around the room, watching all of the guests enjoy themselves, including Wes and Harper, who are dancing to a slow song together, her head on his chest, and the most serene look on his face, like he has his entire world in his arms at that very moment.

Up until recently, I didn’t understand that, at the very least, your entire world can shift to be about one person and their happiness, especially when you can have such a seemingly fulfilling life from just your career. But since Josie entered my life, I understand.

Looking around, I take note that no eyes are on us, and I step back, pulling her into my arms and walking with her. She doesn’t hesitate, wrapping her arms around my neck and melting into my body, letting me sway her and following my lead.

My whole world is in my arms. What a wild one-eighty from when I first got on this island, thinking my world was this resort, this job.

“Sorry, we didn’t catch him tonight,” she mumbles. When I shift a hand to tip her head up to me, I catch sight of the nearly indiscernible earpiece she’s wearing that looks like a piece of glittering jewelry, and a nervous look on her face.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“I wanted to get this done and solve the case, so you have one less thing on your plate, finally. Sorry, it’s not going to happen tonight.”

I shake my head, then dip to press my lips softly to hers.

“It’s going to happen, Josie. I know you and Rory have about a dozen ideas of how to get this guy to show himself so we can nab him,” I say, and she smiles softly, confirming my thoughts. “If we don’t get him today, it just means I get another day of watching you do your thing. Midnight Spy Girl or whatever.”

She lets out a laugh and shakes her head. “Threat level midnight,”

“Ah, yes, of course. I wouldn’t get it. I’m not a super-hot spy girl.”

Her smile widens, the disappointment melting from her eyes, if only temporarily.

“Exactly,” she whispers, then moves to her toes to press a kiss to my lips. “I’m still annoyed that tonight isn’t the night.”

I let out a loud laugh, then continue to sway with her, laughing and chatting until the song is over. Her brow furrows, and she looks at her feet for a moment before I realize she must be listening to something in her earpiece. Then she sighs and rolls her eyes.

“It seems Tanya and Daniel are missing.”

My eyes widen, and panic fills me because, despite both of them irritating me for different reasons, I don’t want anything to happen to them. Confusion also hits because she doesn’t look concerned in the least; she looks annoyed.

Before I can ask, Josie shakes her head. “No, no. No one is hurt. Yet.” I raise an eyebrow in confusion. “They’re fucking in the staff room on the third floor.”

My jaw slackens. “You have got to be kidding me,” I groan.

“Rory says she wishes she were, but unfortunately, she is not. She has a full view of Daniel’s ass as we speak.”

I cringe at the mental image and step away from her. Frustration fills my veins as I take in the reality that my employees are ignoring the direct order for everyone to be in attendance at this party in orderto make it run smoother, and my general manager is off fucking around, literally. I was hoping I would be able to find some kind of reason to keep him on board after this all died down—just give him some more training and a slap on the wrist—but it’s seeming more and more likely that won’t be an option, not with how recklessly he is acting.