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The GKMTec team had problems. Huge ones. But they didn’t need Arden to tell them what they already knew. After the demonstration her first day, the four of them had been working tirelessly to come up with ideas. Unfortunately, they were no closer to a solution than when she’d joined the team a week ago.
And the work was so consuming, she hadn’t had a chance to move out of the hotel yet. Garvey had found her a gorgeous berth at Keehi Harbor, but lugging her suitcases back to the dock wasn’t a task she looked forward to.
Using Garvey as a crutch wasn’t a feeling she was comfortable with. At least not in this way. He’d probably dismiss her concern, but she made a mental note to talk to the hotel directly about the room and any extra charges she’d incurred.
A knock sounded on her door.
When Garvey had invited her to a charity fundraiser for a local animal shelter, she’d jumped at the chance. Until she remembered she hadn’t packed anything formal to suit the black-tie affair.
A quick trip to a local dressmaker Olivia recommended had netted the most gorgeous sheath Arden had ever laid eyes on. And by the look in Garvey’s eyes when she opened the door, he approved.
As he bussed her cheek, he ushered her out of the room. “We should get going if we’re going to make the cruise before it leaves the dock.”
She slipped her hotel key into the small bag the clerk had talked her into purchasing because it went so well with the dress. At least it had the cute factor going for it, because the tiny size wasn’t practical. “You’re still not going to tell me how you developed some of the tech at your lab, are you?”
“The world isn’t ready for my brand of awesome just yet.” The smile he flashed didn’t touch his eyes. Something had been...off with him for the past week. And she hadn’t been able to put her finger on what.
She’d been pestering Garvey to spill about a few items she’d seen at the office. Though he hadn’t been very forthcoming, that didn’t mean she was going to quit. From what she’d seen so far, the group was light years ahead of anything else on the market. Despite her persistence, she was still annoyed with him. Other than his invitation to this event, they’d barely spoken since he’d left her with only a cold shower for company.
As they stepped into the lobby, she looked around. “We’re not riding your bike this time, are we? Because while there are a lot of things I can pull off, I’m not sure that is one of them. Not in this dress.”
“Ah, no.” He nodded toward the valet station. “Something with a roof, I promise.”
She expected some modern affair that sliced through the dark streets to add another layer of luxuriousness to the night. Instead the valet pulled up in a vintage muscle car. The dual exhausts announced the arrival of the vehicle while the eight-cylinder engine roared with all the gusto of the brass section of a philharmonic.
The breadth of the car was massive. It was a wide, hulking monster that would chew up the road and any cars that dared veer into its path. It would own the highway with the arrogance of a lion leading his pride.
Sparkling chrome seemed to go on for miles, while deep blue paint gleamed under the lights. While it wasn’t what she’d anticipated, the vintage car was all Garvey. Out of the ordinary and sinfully gorgeous.
“She yours?”
“Down to the last stitch in the tucks of the upholstery.” He opened the door, clasped her hand, and held on while she slid into the passenger seat.
She took in the impeccable wood-grain of the dashboard. The sparkling silver accents that outlined the speedometer and tachometer. Even the radio knobs, which appeared original to the car, were spotless. It shouldn’t surprise her. He was a man who took the time to appreciate something he cared for.
“Must have cost a fortune to have her shipped from the mainland.”
“Didn’t,” he stated as he slipped behind the wheel. “Rescued her from a pile of rust over near Pearl Harbor. Sun and sand wreak havoc on cars around here. Most people opt to toss rather than restore. I prefer to own a car built when designers actually had a passion for the automobile. This model was introduced in ’67. Guess it makes me feel as though I’ve done something to contribute to keeping history alive. Especially on an island so intent on moving forward.”
They slid through the streets, carving their way around the heavy traffic she’d grown used to since arriving to the island. After pulling onto the highway and shifting into fourth, Garvey covered her hand with his. “Relax.”
The gentle contact made her realize she was holding on with a death grip. “Sorry. Been a whirlwind few days. Pretty sure I could sleep with my eyes open at this point.”
“You’re doing great.” He pressed his lips against her knuckle. “Promise.”
She didn’t doubt it. But she needed a distraction to keep her from curling up into the backseat to fall fast asleep. “What was it like working for Special Activities?”
“Demanding. Intense. Rewarding.” He paused as he glanced over before changing lanes. “For a time at least.”
“You said you stepped back because of your sister. Are you sure that’s the real reason? Or just some excuse you use when you don’t want someone to get too close?”
“It’s the truth. She became my priority as she got older. As I realized she needed a parental presence in her life because our parents weren’t coming back. Too wrapped up in their missionary work for the less fortunate. Makes me both angry and proud of them at the same time.” He released her hand for a moment to adjust the volume on the radio. “She was born after I’d already left to create a life for myself. I was just finishing up my first year of college when I got the phone call.”
“When the CIA came knocking.”
“Accelerated me through college to get me to The Farm as early as possible. Wasn’t her fault our parents decided to skip out on us. No reason to blame her. Or not give her the opportunity to have some kind of family life. I couldn’t do that hopping all around the globe.”
The fact he’d chosen family over duty said a lot about his character.
About him as a man.
“Doesn’t mean those in charge didn’t try to change my mind when I gave my resignation.”
“Guess they weren’t convincing.”
“My mind was already made up.”
And Arden knew that once that happened, Garvey was an immovable statue. She’d encountered that attitude more than a few times. It was as detrimental as it was handy. “Ever talk to anyone back there?”
“From time to time,” he answered carefully. “My separation wasn’t received well for more than a few reasons, even though most wanted me to stay on. Surprised a few of the upper ranks didn’t get on their knees and beg. They sure spent enough time shoving how good of an agent I was down my throat while I was in.”
The heaviness of the discussion filling the air was thick and so absolute, she felt the weight of each second tick by. There was an undercurrent of something in Garvey’s voice. A mysterious tone she couldn’t decipher even with all her training. It wasn’t as though she worked out those fancy spy muscles, anyway.
She couldn’t take the charged atmosphere and changed the subject. “How did Keira take it when you told her?”
“Who says I have?”
Interesting. Of course, she hadn’t read in any of her family, either. “Better to protect her?”
“I kept that part of my career as far away from her as I could. I wanted her to have as normal of a life as possible without me adding to it. When she’s older I may tell her. If I find a reason to. Even though that is a chapter of my life that’s over. Right now, she needs to focus on school. On carving her own path.”
She loved the way Garvey’s voice went all hard and affectionate at the same time when he mentioned Keira. His sister meant far more to him than he let on. “What does she think about what you do? All this high-tech stuff?”
“She calls me a circuit junkie, shakes her head, and puts her nose back in the books. Beyond her cell phone and laptop, she couldn’t be less interested in technology. Her interests lie more toward the political field. Wants to change everything she touches.”
Garvey’s voice held a touch of pride. The proud brother who might not have liked sending his younger sister out into the world but was pleased by what she’d accomplished. By the woman she’d become.
“She wants to change it while you protect it.”
He grunted.
Garvey pulled the car into a slot at the docks and killed the engine. He squeezed her hand once before getting out and came around to the passenger side to collect her. She took his offered hand as she marveled at the large ship tied up to the pier. The towering vessel gleamed in the fading sunlight.
“Gorgeous.”
As they boarded, even more elegance surrounded them.
A woman in a bright red gown, hair carefully curled in soft, spiraling waves, tilted her head in welcome as they passed through a large archway and into a huge ballroom. Thousands of lights illuminated the packed room, adding a soft, romantic glow to the atmosphere.
The center of the area had been taken up by a wood dance stage, while tables had been artfully arranged around the perimeter so diners could admire anyone who decided to take to the floor.
Directly across from them, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows displayed the setting sun as it threw shades of purple, gold, and orange across the darkening sky. On either side of the window, several game tables had been set up and were already surrounded by anxious gamblers waiting for them to push away from the dock and venture into international waters.
A loud bellow filled the room, and the ship lurched underfoot. Garvey tucked her closer to his body as he maneuvered her to the bar. “Looks like we made it just in time. Two champagnes, please.”
The flavor of the drink was light and airy, as she suspected most champagnes would taste. Not a choice she would have made, but for the rich, decadent night, a perfect complement.
“What is this fundraiser for again?”
“New animal shelter. Whole island is in severe need of more.”
Damn. There he went being all altruistic again.
A few minutes later, he set his empty champagne flute down on the bar. “I see someone I need to speak to for a few minutes. Be all right by yourself?”
“Of course.”
Garvey left, and she indulged herself with a few seconds of admiring his ass. Several other women had taken notice as well and smiled knowingly at her before turning back to their dates.
She scanned the room, noting that a row of tables had been set up in the far corner near where they’d entered. Curious, she accepted another glass of champagne from the bartender and wandered through the crowd.
Black velvet had been draped over the tables. Various pieces of jewelry were artfully displayed on them.
“Would you like to bid, madam?”
“No, thank you. Just window shopping.”
The rail-thin man smiled. “No harm in browsing the collection. Perhaps an interesting bauble will catch your eye and win your heart. Then you can persuade your gentleman caller to win it for you. All in the name of charity, of course.”
She offered a smile to the persistent man as she stepped down the table. Rows of expensive items had been artfully arranged to showcase each piece at its finest.
“See anything you like?”
What was it with this guy? “If you’re into expensive trinkets and gaudy, overpriced baubles.”
Arden inched her way down the table, not really paying attention to the goods spread out before her but knowing she had already committed to looking. Computers and information had captured her attention more than the glitter of jewelry. As she started to turn and make her way to the gambling area, a spark of light caught her attention.
In the space of a few heartbeats, she fell in love.
