Page 83 of Secrets Beneath the Waves

Thursday night

The evening beganlike something out of a romance novel. Ellie and Mark shared a candlelit dinner at a charming seaside restaurant, where the salty breeze carried the soft strains of acoustic guitar.

Mark was his usual carefree self, cracking jokes that made her laugh and sharing just enough about his life to keep her intrigued.

For a moment, Ellie let herself believe it was all real. The chemistry, the connection, the way he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world.

After dinner, they strolled hand-in-hand along the beach. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow on the waves that lapped at their feet. Mark stopped to pick up a seashell and held it out to her with a boyish grin.

“For your collection,” he said.

Ellie took it, her fingers brushed his. The small gesture sent a ripple of warmth through her, and she chastised herself for it.Don’t fall for him, Ellie.Remember why you’re here.

But when he leaned in and his lips brushed hers, her clear thinking evaporated. The next kiss was slow, deliberate, and everything she hadn’t known she needed.

For a moment, she felt her guard coming down.

Dating had been problematic for her as she grew up. In high school, she’d been so obsessed with training there wasn’t time. She had plenty of opportunities, but her dad asked so many questions about who she dated, it wasn’t worth the trouble.

And how could she bring them home to meet her parents? They lived in a venerable fortress. With armed guards at the gate. Her mom had been adamant that she couldn’t do anything to blow their cover. Any meetings with prospective suitors had to be at a restaurant or somewhere far away from their house.

Symbolic of her dating life. Any boyfriend had to be kept at emotional arm’s length, somewhere far away from who she really was.

In college, she could date and did, but a serious relationship was impossible. How was she going to explain to the person that everything she had been telling them about herself, including her name, was a lie?

When she came to Cayman, dating wasn’t even on her radar for the same reasons. She was obsessed with the mission, and her entire persona was a lie. Matthew was the only one who knew her real identity. Even CIA Luke didn’t know she was the daughter of Jamie Austen. As far as she knew. He certainly didn’t know she was there to snuff out a mole.

Mark, however, came out of the blue. She hadn’t planned to have feelings for him.

And it felt good.

Tomorrow, she had to confront Matthew. The next day, Luke. For one night, she only wanted to feel normal.

Was that so wrong?

Mark made it easy. They laughed and teased each other as they ran along the shore and kicked up sand.

Until the unthinkable happened.

Mark came up behind her, catching her in a playful bear hug.

“I’ve got you now!” he said, his voice full of mock triumph as he lifted her in the air.

Ellie giggled and twisted in his arms. But then she felt his hand slide lower, grazing her waist. Her heart stopped as his fingers brushed against her concealed gun.

“What’s this?” Mark’s tone shifted instantly, his playful demeanor vanished faster than a vapor in the wind. He stepped back, held up the gun he’d pulled from her waistband. The moonlight glinted off the barrel, and Ellie’s stomach dropped.

How did he do that so fast?

Ellie froze. Her mind scrambled for an explanation that wouldn’t unravel everything. Every nerve in her body was on high alert.

“Mark,” she said carefully, forcing her voice to stay calm despite the pounding in her chest. “Give that back.”

But he wasn’t listening. His fingers curled around the grip, his gaze locked onto the weapon with an expression that flickered between shock and something darker. His nostrils flared slightly and his eyes burned with anger.

“A gun, Ellie?Really?” His voice was low, almost a growl. Accusing. Disbelief laced with something more dangerous—mistrust. “You bring a gun on adate?”

Her pulse kicked up a notch. She needed to de-escalate, fast.