Anything He Wants: Castaway #2 (Anything He Wants 7) Read Online Free
Author: Sara Fawkes
Jeremiah said in a careful voice. “Came to a few understandings.”
I peered between the two men, expecting more of an explanation but not getting it. Standing in front of both men side by side, the family resemblance was pretty stunning. Despite the different physiques, both men had the same coloring and facial features, minus the scar across Lucas’ nose and cheek. I’d seen scars as bad or worse on Jeremiah’s body, a testament to the life he led in the Army Rangers.
Finally, Lucas spoke. “Come on, let’s get to the hotel. Business always makes me hungry.”
“Hotel?” I asked, trailing along beside Jeremiah. “We’re not going home?”
“Not yet,” Jeremiah murmured as Lucas led us to a large SUV. “I’ll explain later but...” He blew out a breath. “For now, we’re safer here with my brother than in New York.”
He didn’t sound any more pleased by the situation than I was. Unfortunately, there was little comfort to be had from that realization.
The short ride to the hotel was quiet, tension between the siblings thick in the air. The two men sat on opposite ends of the vehicle with me alone in the center. The awkwardness made me somewhat happy that I had grown up an only child, and I was relieved when we pulled up to the hotel with little fuss.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but there was a distinctive island feel to our home for the night. Tiki torches lined the driveway and entrance, the small flames flickering bright in the dying light. A five-star resort this was not; it seemed more like a local hangout than a tourist dive. Our rooms were already reserved, with the clerk merely handing Lucas the keys as he came to the desk. I was relieved to find I had my own room, not realizing until the tension eased that this situation was something I’d been unconsciously dreading.
Of course, my room was sandwiched in the middle of the three. I sighed. Hamilton men.
––––––––
“S o can someone fill me in on what’s going on?”
Ours was a late dinner, but the hotel restaurant showed no signs of slowing down. Music flowed from the bar area inside, and some of the guests there occasionally spilled outside where we sat, but for the moment we were still alone. Dark trees blocked any view outside the grounds but there was a distinct lack of traffic. In quieter moments, I could still hear the ocean nearby.
“Somebody is doing their damndest to ruin or kill us.” Lucas didn’t sound too threatened by the fact, but then again even a gun to the head didn’t faze him. “First it was the hitman sent after Jeremiah, now a saboteur with a bomb I’m certain he didn’t understand on my ship.”
“I thought Anya hired the assassin,” I said, but both Jeremiah and Lucas shook their heads.
“Whatever she may have been,” Lucas replied, “she wasn’t evil enough to come up with this on her own. Someone coached her into that decision.”
“I’ve got my men looking into it.” Jeremiah didn’t look hungry, as most of the food on his plate remained untouched. He seemed to be deep in thought, and occasionally sent glances my way, which I ignored. “I could tell you as soon as they discovered anything if you’d give me back my communication equipment.”
“Like I told you last night, no matter the network you’re working with it’s closer to the bottom of the information ladder.” Lucas leaned back in the booth, steepling his fingers. “I can get you straight to the top.”
“I don’t like your methods.”
Jeremiah’s low answer only made Lucas’ smirk widen. “But they work far better than anything you’ve access to.”
Both of Jeremiah’s hands clenched into fists atop the table. “I spent years fighting against people like you in the Army...”
“Then you quit that life to take over mine.” Lucas’ lips kept their upward tilt but lost what humor was left. “I was pushed out of the only existence I knew by my own brother. He took over the gilded throne
I peered between the two men, expecting more of an explanation but not getting it. Standing in front of both men side by side, the family resemblance was pretty stunning. Despite the different physiques, both men had the same coloring and facial features, minus the scar across Lucas’ nose and cheek. I’d seen scars as bad or worse on Jeremiah’s body, a testament to the life he led in the Army Rangers.
Finally, Lucas spoke. “Come on, let’s get to the hotel. Business always makes me hungry.”
“Hotel?” I asked, trailing along beside Jeremiah. “We’re not going home?”
“Not yet,” Jeremiah murmured as Lucas led us to a large SUV. “I’ll explain later but...” He blew out a breath. “For now, we’re safer here with my brother than in New York.”
He didn’t sound any more pleased by the situation than I was. Unfortunately, there was little comfort to be had from that realization.
The short ride to the hotel was quiet, tension between the siblings thick in the air. The two men sat on opposite ends of the vehicle with me alone in the center. The awkwardness made me somewhat happy that I had grown up an only child, and I was relieved when we pulled up to the hotel with little fuss.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but there was a distinctive island feel to our home for the night. Tiki torches lined the driveway and entrance, the small flames flickering bright in the dying light. A five-star resort this was not; it seemed more like a local hangout than a tourist dive. Our rooms were already reserved, with the clerk merely handing Lucas the keys as he came to the desk. I was relieved to find I had my own room, not realizing until the tension eased that this situation was something I’d been unconsciously dreading.
Of course, my room was sandwiched in the middle of the three. I sighed. Hamilton men.
––––––––
“S o can someone fill me in on what’s going on?”
Ours was a late dinner, but the hotel restaurant showed no signs of slowing down. Music flowed from the bar area inside, and some of the guests there occasionally spilled outside where we sat, but for the moment we were still alone. Dark trees blocked any view outside the grounds but there was a distinct lack of traffic. In quieter moments, I could still hear the ocean nearby.
“Somebody is doing their damndest to ruin or kill us.” Lucas didn’t sound too threatened by the fact, but then again even a gun to the head didn’t faze him. “First it was the hitman sent after Jeremiah, now a saboteur with a bomb I’m certain he didn’t understand on my ship.”
“I thought Anya hired the assassin,” I said, but both Jeremiah and Lucas shook their heads.
“Whatever she may have been,” Lucas replied, “she wasn’t evil enough to come up with this on her own. Someone coached her into that decision.”
“I’ve got my men looking into it.” Jeremiah didn’t look hungry, as most of the food on his plate remained untouched. He seemed to be deep in thought, and occasionally sent glances my way, which I ignored. “I could tell you as soon as they discovered anything if you’d give me back my communication equipment.”
“Like I told you last night, no matter the network you’re working with it’s closer to the bottom of the information ladder.” Lucas leaned back in the booth, steepling his fingers. “I can get you straight to the top.”
“I don’t like your methods.”
Jeremiah’s low answer only made Lucas’ smirk widen. “But they work far better than anything you’ve access to.”
Both of Jeremiah’s hands clenched into fists atop the table. “I spent years fighting against people like you in the Army...”
“Then you quit that life to take over mine.” Lucas’ lips kept their upward tilt but lost what humor was left. “I was pushed out of the only existence I knew by my own brother. He took over the gilded throne
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