Page 12 of Moonlighter

“What, Engels? Hit me.”

She folds her hands primly. “Why did you volunteer for this trip? Was it to get even with me for humiliating you?”

“Fuck no.” What a stupid question. “In the first place, it takes a hell of a lot more to humiliate a man than a quick brushoff at a party. And secondly, I didn’t volunteer for this trip at all.”

Her head jerks backward. “What? Then why are you here?”

“Because my father has a soft spot for you, and my brother is a scheming asshole.” She might as well know the truth. “I didn’t know about your conference until I’d eaten two of my three tacos.”

Alex’s blue eyes bulge. “You didn’tknow?And yet you packed your bags anyway?”

“Don’t be too impressed.” I shrug. “I haven’t been to the beach in a long time. And running in the sand is good cardio.”

She blinks. “Okay, back up. You really want to go to Hawaii? It’s going to be a boring week of accompanying me to parties and meetings.”

“That does sound dreadful,” I admit. But I’m going out of duty more than for the scenery. It’s not her fault that my family are thoughtless freaks. “But it’s fine. Let’s board your gas-guzzling private jet and get on with it.”

I stand, but she holds up a hand. “No. Wait.”

“What do you mean,wait? I thought people chartered jets so they didn’t have to wait!”

“Listen,” she begs. “If you’re not into playing this role, then it will never work. I’ll ask Max to send somebody else.”

“If Max had someone else to send, he would have. Trust me.”

She winces.

“Besides, I can play the role, Alex. It’s not like it’s hard.”

“You’d think.” She scowls. “But don’t forget—you’ll have to pretend to like me.”

“Huh,” I say, scratching my chin. “So, like, I shouldn’t ogle other women? Or pick up some chick at the bar, and take her back to my room?”

“Ofcoursenot.” A look of pure horror crosses Alex’s face.

“Butbaby,” I complain. “Maybe your new boyfriend is a swinger. How do you feel about threesomes?”

“Eric!” Her eyes bug out.

That’s when I crack up. “Do they let gullible people run companies? I’m surprised.”

“You’renotfunny!” Alex tips her head back and glares at the ceiling. “Please, just go home. I don’t need a fake boyfriend. I changed my mind.”

“Alex, calm down.” Although I’m still snickering inside. “You know how some people learn a trade at the dinner table? Like, how to run a pharmacy, or how to rope cattle?”

“Or how to license cable channels for fun and profit? I know how that works. AndThe Journalstill thinks my father secretly runs my company.”

“Well, what I learned at the dinner table was how to be a bodyguard. How to punch someone to inflict maximum pain. How to neutralize an opponent without making any noise. How to blend in with my surroundings. And—since I’m me—the whole attractive arm candy thing comes naturally.”

She rolls her pretty eyes. “So you’re saying you’re like Jason Bourne, but more egotistical?”

“And more athletic. Honestly? That guy is a punter. He draws way too much attention to himself. And I call bullshit on some of those car chases.”

“Excuse me, Ms. Engels?”

We look up to find another obsequious airport employee waiting there with a smile on her face. “Your takeoff window depends on a timely departure.”

Alex springs off the sofa. “All right. I’m ready to go.”