Barefoot With a Stranger (Barefoot Bay Undercover Book 2) by Roxanne St. Claire Page A

“Well, what about Gabe?”
    “He won’t tell you anything.”
    “But why can’t he go to Cuba?”
    He turned and gave her a get real look, which she accepted with a slight nod. The sister of a spy would be well trained to live with unanswered questions, and while he respected the fact that she knew when to stop asking, he also felt she was owed something. At least a reason for why they had to convince Gabe not to go to Cuba.
    “I will tell you this,” he said, reaching for her hand. “If he does go to Cuba, he will never come out alive. He made enemies. Deadly enemies.”
    She blinked at him, truly speechless, color washing over her fine cheeks. “Is he safe here?”
    “As long as he never steps foot in Cuba, yes. But I swear to God, Chessie, there’s a serious amount of money on his head, and if there’s one thing crooked Cubans like, it’s money.”
    She stared at him as that settled on her. “He trusts us enough to do this for him.”
    Mal nodded. “Though I can’t say what he’ll do once we find this child and prove he’s Gabe’s son.” Because Gabe Rossi would risk life and limb to get his child. They both knew that.
    “Then I know what we have to do,” Chessie said, her voice calm. “We can tell him about the bug, and we can tell him how and why I found it. But then we have to convince him to handle the fact that we were together and let us go on this mission and find his son. One, two, three, that’s what we’ll do.”
    “Francesca, the planner,” he whispered.
    “That’s me.”
    “I like it.” He leaned closer, feeling the need to seal the deal with a kiss, but she edged back and gave her head a quick shake.
    “Poppy,” she said under her breath.
    He frowned. “Excuse me?”
    “The maid over there is Poppy. She works for Gabe. She’s his eyes and ears around the resort, and I guarantee you she’s taking everything in right now, including how you almost…” She slowed her speech and scowled. “Were you just so overwhelmed with being human that you were going to kiss me?”
    He laughed. “Overwhelmed, yeah.”
    “Uh, excuse me.” The woman’s voice pulled them apart, and Mal turned to meet large, dark eyes under a furrowed brow. “Can I help…oh, Miss Chessie! I heard you were here. Didn’t know that was you, and I have to check everyone out, you know.”
    “Hello, Poppy.” Chessie climbed down from the cart and greeted the woman with an easy hug. “Nice to see you again. Have you met Malcolm Harris, Gabe’s friend?”
    She lifted a brow. “He has a friend other than Nino?”
    Mal smiled. “The list is short.” He shook her hand. “Hello, Poppy.”
    “Are you looking for Mr. Gabriel? Don’t bother going in the office, he’s not there.”
    Damn it, Mal didn’t want to put this conversation off any longer. “Do you know where we can find him?”
    “Yes, but…” A plump lower lip pushed out, and she tightened her mouth and looked from one to the other. “You’re his sister, and you’re his friend, right?”
    “Right,” they answered in unison.
    “Well…” She glanced from side to side, as if she suspected they were being watched. “I don’t know who else to tell because I tried to tell Nino, and all he does is tell me to mind my own business. Minding other people’s business is my job now, doesn’t he know that? Anyway, maybe you can help.”
    “What is it, Poppy?” Chessie asked, a note of impatience telling Mal she was as anxious as he was.
    “It’s Mr. Gabriel,” the woman said on an exaggerated sigh. “I simply don’t know what to do with him.”
    “What do you mean?” Chessie stepped closer, immediately more interested now.
    “Well, I know I’m supposed to be watching other folks around here and reporting back to him. That’s my job, you see,” she added to Mal, as if he hadn’t picked that up yet.
    “What about Gabe?” Chessie pressed.
    “He just hasn’t been himself since last time you were here, Miss Chessie. He’s not