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Tesh Island, The Caribbean~
Many uncharted islands resided among Caribbean waters. Guadeloupe boasted as many of those uncharted lands as any. There, the landscape was accented by the brilliant meshing of turquoise, emerald, sapphire, violet, coral and more. The environment was what drew the tourists in droves. Everyone, from vacationers to marine biologists clamored to explore the island’s beauty.
For Ben, it was hard to believe such beauty encapsulated such misery. It was hard to believe misery existed at all from where she stood.
The view from the Simonsen Inn was as stunning as the online photos she’d swooned over during the plane ride. The flight was non-stop and first class. It arrived in Pointe-à-Pitre and Ben found herself well-rested and eager for the next destination. A private charter plane took her to a remote landing field in Tesh where a limo was waiting to take her on to the Simonsen.
Last minute work upsets kept Rhys from joining her. Both Ben and her best friend knew full well where those upsets had originated. Linda Erickson was trying to flex her quickly disintegrating muscle. Her family still owned the company, however, so that muscle regardless of its state could still pack a punch. For the time being, Rhys still needed her paycheck.
For the time being...if this offer was what it promised, Rhys would never work another day in her life unless she wanted to. For now, though, Ben was on her own in paradise.
Paradise was no exaggeration. Lush, tropical gardens surrounded the 20 cottage inn. The open design living spaces included vaulted ceilings equipped with large stately ceiling fans throughout that circulated the fragrant sea-air. The walls were eggshell white with accents of walnut brown, gold-toned light and water fixtures and hand-woven rugs.
Golf course greens in the distance accentuated the vivid turquoise of the Caribbean. The grounds were secured behind white gates of varying heights. Along the rear of the property they were lower so as not to obstruct the striking beauty of the beach. Small gates outside every condo granted access to the pristine sands.
Ben enjoyed the scenery from her balcony. She had lost track of her time there inhaling the air, letting the wind kiss her face when the doorbell chimed. The sound vibrated from the speakers present throughout the house. Reluctantly, she pulled herself away from the view.
The doorbell ringing had given way to knocking-insistent knocking. By the time Ben made it through the spacious condo to the door, she was panting. Annoyance gave way to glee when she opened the door to Rhys.
“What the...hell...” Ben sighed while she and Rhys hugged tightly.
“Surprise from Syson,” Rhys sighed back.
“Syson?” Dumbfounded, Ben studied her friend while stepping aside to let her in along with an inn valet.
“I don’t know what he did,” Rhys explained, eyes wide and happily assessing as she observed the condo. “All of a sudden my leave request was approved and here I am.”
The valet finished bringing the bags to Rhys’ room. When he was on his way out, the women tried to thank him with a tip. He’d assured them it was unnecessary.
“What did Linda say?” Ben asked once they were alone and each settled to their own plush snow white sofa in the airy living room.
“Not a thing,” Rhys offered a flippant half-shrug and took a lengthy sip of the fizzy water she’d selected from the fully stocked wall-bar just off from the balcony. “I didn’t even see her before I left.”
“Did you confirm it?”
“You know I did.”
“And?”
“And it’s on the level-approved by HR and everything. All required signatures in place.”
“But how?” Ben scooted to the sofa’s edge, her face all but radiating bewilderment. “And why are you praising Syson for this?”
“He’s the one who made it happen,” Rhys left her sofa and began another turn around the impressive lodgings. “Apparently he spoke to someone, made the case for you needing me for moral support.”
Uncertainty settled in Ben’s amber eyes. “Did he tell them what I’m doing? Who I am?”
“Better-he told them who he is.”
Ben scooted back on the sofa. “Who is he?”
Rhys quickly joined Ben on the sofa and squeezed her knee. “He is Faust Enterprises. I was so busy checking out the very cute Lucas Ricxs, I didn’t bother checking Syson’s background, um...is he staying here...Luke?”
Ben smiled, recognizing the interest her best friend tried to mask. “He is. Sharing a suite with Sy-it’s a small inn, but best on the island.”
“No argument there,” Rhys’ eyes were wide as she surveyed the lovely space before turning back to Ben.
“So...Faust Enterprises?” Ben prompted.
“Right,” Rhys flopped back onto the sofa as though she were exhausted. “They’re into everything, finances, real estate, security, shipping,” she ticked off the company’s interests. “Publishing even,” she shared in conclusion. “Prized Collections has been trying to get a partnership going with them for decades.”
“I see,” Ben leaned forward, resting her elbows to her knees. “Why’s he working as a bodyguard?”
“No idea, apparently his uncle runs the company-the one Lucas told us about.”
“Andrew Faust. I remember.”
Rhys straightened. “Sounds like you aren’t the only one with family drama.”
“Hmph, guess not,” Ben left the sofa to study the view from the open French doors.
“So speaking of family,” Rhys set down the water, crossed her legs. “What’s next up with yours?”
Ben leaned on the doorframe and tucked a windblown twist behind her ear. “I’m supposed to meet with the rest of the family. Should be interesting,” she rolled her eyes. “Half the family doesn’t get along with the other.”
“Family,” Rhys lay prone on the sofa, “gotta love ‘em.”
“Mmm...” Ben kept her eyes closed against the strong breeze. “Later, there’s supposed to be some big gala where everyone gets together at Maxim Bino’s place. Soon to be my place.”
“Your uncle,” Rhys propped on her elbow. “You never told me about your call with him.”
Ben shrugged. “It was nice. It was...nice.”
“Nice.”
“It was fine, Rhys,” she took the opposite sofa. “Nothing special, you know? He uh...he was just-he sounded very nice. Happy to meet his little sister’s kid.”
“What about you? Are you happy about it?”
Ben smiled, accepting that once again Rhys had seen through her act. “I am. I am, it’s just...just what he wouldn’t say or the way he said it.”
“Ben...”
“I asked if he thought it would’ve been easy for her to leave and not look back. He said yes, given the state of things.”
“Meaning?”
“I didn’t have a chance to ask. I think this should be asked face to face anyway.”
“And then what?” Rhys pushed to sit. “Mr. Evan and Miss Cara are gone. There could be a good reason why they never talked about these people.”
“You don’t need to convince me of that, Rhee,” Ben joined her friend on the other sofa. “Unfortunately, it’s a reason I need to know. I can’t leave without it.”
***
Luke waved to Syson from behind a pine desk that occupied a sizable corner of the cottage’s living area. “Ladies all checked in?” he asked.
Syson went to the bar. “It’s handled. I waited until I saw Rhys going into Ben’s cottage before I came back to ours.”
“Appreciate your promptness.”
“What was the rush?” Syson poured a cooler of orange juice and sipped while closing the distance to the desk.
“Drew.”
Syson buried a groan. “Can’t I have a few more hours in paradise before I have to deal with that fool?”
“You’re gonna wanna know this,” Luke stood behind the desk. “The creep knows you’re out and that you took Avery and Jace with you. It’s not clear whether he knows why you’re out- chances are, he does.”
“The guy who attacked Ben?” Syson studied the contents of his glass.
“Surely working for Drew and my guess is he surely told him she had your help out there.”
“He would’ve found out sooner or later, right?” Syson finished off his juice, saluted Luke with the empty glass.
“Later would’ve been better, since he decided to follow in my footsteps.”
“You gonna make me guess here?”
“Drew made a withdrawal of his own,” Luke shrugged matter-of-factly, “he even used my bank.”
“Christ...” Syson rubbed his fingers through his hair and went back to the door. “Sean, right? Sean Bolton was the withdrawal?”
“Mmm,” Luke’s mouth tilted into a knowing smile, “and he’s not too happy that you gave Avery and Jace get out of jail free cards and not him.”