need a clear head when we land. Things could get sticky fast.” The plane gave another violent shudder, and my fingers dug into the armrest. “That is if we live through this.”
I wasn’t afraid of dying. I’d been there. But plunging into the ocean and then becoming shark bait scared the shit out of me. I hate sharks. My first year in the SEAL’s on a practice mission in the Pacific, a shark decided I looked like a nice snack. It took a large chunk out of my thigh. One hundred and thirty stitches later, I developed a strong dislike for sharks and a new appreciation for the Discovery channel. If not for a show about how to survive a shark attack I would have been an entrée.
“We’ll be fine. ” Frankie cupped my hand, trying to reassure me. “I’m sorry I tricked you.”
I tore my gaze from the water below and looked at her . “Don’t ever do it again. You hear me?” She nodded, but the excited sparkle remained in her eyes. I shook my head. An hour ago, I’d moved past furious and into begrudging respect. I would have done the same thing in her place—minus the high heels and pink sundress, of course.
“So what’s the plan?”
“When we get to the island we’ll check into the Grand Hotel. It’s about a mile from the bank. They’re expecting us.” I held up a finger. “The rest of the crew will separately check in an hour later.”
“T hen what?”
Patience would be a problem, but with her, it always was. “Tomorrow morning we meet with the bank manager, Carlos Espinoza. You fill out the paperwork; sign on the dotted line, and bingo twelve million dollars is ours.”
“ Sounds simple.”
“ The best plans are.”
She smiled. “So what are you supposed to be? Boyfriend or bodyguard?”
“How about financial planner? ”
Frankie laughed , looking me up and down. “Good luck pulling that one off.”
I rubbed my chin, feeling the stubble of my five o’clock shadow. “Okay, bodyguard it is. Listen, once we land you need to stick close to me.”
“ You’re expecting trouble?”
“Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if Oscar wasn’t trying to find a way to get the money.”
“I won’t leave your side.” Her voice went breathless and soft. “Day or night.”
“That’s cold. ” I squeezed her hand. “Now if Clair was here…”
“Asshole.” She slapped my arm. I laughed, enjoying the easygoing banter. Whatever happened this week, it would be anything but boring.
******
We landed safely on Grand Cayman a few hours later. The heat amazed me as I stepped from the plane. Nine o’clock at night and my shirt was soaked within five minutes. Walking down the jet way I felt naked without my gun. First assignment: Find the friendly neighborhood arms dealer.
Just outside the airport, I hailed a passing cab and gave the driver our destination. I helped Frankie inside, and we set off through the bumpy streets. The cab smelled of cigarette smoke and coconut, an odd but not unpleasant combination. I watched out the bug-splattered window at the passing landscape. I’d been to a hundred islands like this one in my Naval career, and after a while they tended to blend together.
“It’s beautiful. ” Frankie sighed. I smiled, seeing the island through her eyes. It was spectacular. Palm trees lined the streets. A gentle trade wind carried the sound of waves crashing against the beach. We pulled up to the Grand Hotel and I paid the driver. Once he left, I opened my cell phone and dialed Mickey’s number. “Meet you in the lobby in two hours.” He agreed and I hung up.
“Shall we?” I took Frankie’s arm. We walked into the opulent hotel lobby and tried not to stare like a bunch of hicks. The place reeked of wealth and privilege. Every surface sparkled, and thousands of dollars’ worth of art graced the walls. Rich men talked million dollar deals while sipping scotch. The hotel staff smiled as we past, saying a friendly hello. It was a con’s dream come true and my
I wasn’t afraid of dying. I’d been there. But plunging into the ocean and then becoming shark bait scared the shit out of me. I hate sharks. My first year in the SEAL’s on a practice mission in the Pacific, a shark decided I looked like a nice snack. It took a large chunk out of my thigh. One hundred and thirty stitches later, I developed a strong dislike for sharks and a new appreciation for the Discovery channel. If not for a show about how to survive a shark attack I would have been an entrée.
“We’ll be fine. ” Frankie cupped my hand, trying to reassure me. “I’m sorry I tricked you.”
I tore my gaze from the water below and looked at her . “Don’t ever do it again. You hear me?” She nodded, but the excited sparkle remained in her eyes. I shook my head. An hour ago, I’d moved past furious and into begrudging respect. I would have done the same thing in her place—minus the high heels and pink sundress, of course.
“So what’s the plan?”
“When we get to the island we’ll check into the Grand Hotel. It’s about a mile from the bank. They’re expecting us.” I held up a finger. “The rest of the crew will separately check in an hour later.”
“T hen what?”
Patience would be a problem, but with her, it always was. “Tomorrow morning we meet with the bank manager, Carlos Espinoza. You fill out the paperwork; sign on the dotted line, and bingo twelve million dollars is ours.”
“ Sounds simple.”
“ The best plans are.”
She smiled. “So what are you supposed to be? Boyfriend or bodyguard?”
“How about financial planner? ”
Frankie laughed , looking me up and down. “Good luck pulling that one off.”
I rubbed my chin, feeling the stubble of my five o’clock shadow. “Okay, bodyguard it is. Listen, once we land you need to stick close to me.”
“ You’re expecting trouble?”
“Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if Oscar wasn’t trying to find a way to get the money.”
“I won’t leave your side.” Her voice went breathless and soft. “Day or night.”
“That’s cold. ” I squeezed her hand. “Now if Clair was here…”
“Asshole.” She slapped my arm. I laughed, enjoying the easygoing banter. Whatever happened this week, it would be anything but boring.
******
We landed safely on Grand Cayman a few hours later. The heat amazed me as I stepped from the plane. Nine o’clock at night and my shirt was soaked within five minutes. Walking down the jet way I felt naked without my gun. First assignment: Find the friendly neighborhood arms dealer.
Just outside the airport, I hailed a passing cab and gave the driver our destination. I helped Frankie inside, and we set off through the bumpy streets. The cab smelled of cigarette smoke and coconut, an odd but not unpleasant combination. I watched out the bug-splattered window at the passing landscape. I’d been to a hundred islands like this one in my Naval career, and after a while they tended to blend together.
“It’s beautiful. ” Frankie sighed. I smiled, seeing the island through her eyes. It was spectacular. Palm trees lined the streets. A gentle trade wind carried the sound of waves crashing against the beach. We pulled up to the Grand Hotel and I paid the driver. Once he left, I opened my cell phone and dialed Mickey’s number. “Meet you in the lobby in two hours.” He agreed and I hung up.
“Shall we?” I took Frankie’s arm. We walked into the opulent hotel lobby and tried not to stare like a bunch of hicks. The place reeked of wealth and privilege. Every surface sparkled, and thousands of dollars’ worth of art graced the walls. Rich men talked million dollar deals while sipping scotch. The hotel staff smiled as we past, saying a friendly hello. It was a con’s dream come true and my
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