Undercover Pursuit Read Online Free

that meaning too far, but it was no wonder Chet didn’t want to take this job. After all, Chet was recently married and he didn’t need any reminders of past liaisons. Luke knew what ghosts could do to a guy—suck him back to the past, into his mistakes. No, Chet deserved a fresh start with his bride, Stryker International pilot Mae Lund. Luke’s silence pushed Chet into confession.
    â€œWe may have had some sparks, Luke, but mostly, we were just friends. She was just a young law student, and I was in and out of the country with Delta Force. It wouldn’t have worked. However, I also know Benito—her fiancé—from my Delta days, and if I showed up, he’d know Lucia had been betraying him, romantically and possibly otherwise.”
    â€œChet, is Lucia expecting you? ” Perfect, just perfect. At least he now knew what not to say.
    â€œNo. She’s expecting one of my men. My capable, get-the-job-done-despite-personal-feelings men. That’s you, Luke. But you might have to do more than just yourjob here, Luke. The Sanchez family has to believe that you and Stacey—”
    â€œScarlett.”
    â€œâ€”are a couple, at least in public. So turn on some charm or something. You’re good with the ladies—or at least you were. Dig deep and find that old lady-killer.”
    Luke walked through the bedroom to the tiny cement bathroom, turned on the faucet then stared into the mirror. He needed a shave. “I’m not that good, Chet. And besides, I’m not the guy I was.”
    He hadn’t been that guy since he woke up one day to angry pounding on his hotel room door, looked at the woman on the other side of the bed and realized he’d turned into his lying, cheating father. Only Luke’s lying and cheating hadn’t exactly been his fault. Not that it mattered, in the end.
    Chet’s voice softened. “No, you’re not. I know that.”
    â€œBesides, this girl isn’t going to be charmed. She’s a straight shooter, and she’s not into playing games.”
    â€œSo be the new guy—the gentleman.”
    The gentleman. He hadn’t had much practice in that arena, either. Last time he had a date, the previous president had been in office.
    â€œMost of all, get the job done. Keep Lucia—and Stacey, for that matter—alive. No matter what it takes.”
    â€œOkay, boss.” Luke said goodbye and hung up. Then he picked up the note left for him at the check-in desk. His “fiancée” hadn’t stuck around long enough to read it with him, and of course, she’d booked her own solo accommodations.
    Not that he expected to share. But in today’s world, it might make convincing the Sanchez clan they were a couple just a smidge easier.
    But perhaps this was for the best, because, just for a second, sitting beside her on the boat, watching her purse those unpainted lips that made her appear more innocent girl than hired muscle, well, he’d felt something shift inside. Add that to the way, for a second, she seemed even hurt, and yes, she’d unglued him long enough for him to wish he could take back his words in the cab—the ones that had put the pain in her eyes.
    He went to the sink, washed his hands, pressed a towel to his face.
    Stared at the familiar villain in the mirror.
    Yes, he would turn on the charm, but only for the sake of the mission.
    Three days was going to feel like eternity.
    He opened the note and found a hand-scrawled script. “Meet us on the boat by five for drinks and dinner. Lucia.”
    Unfortunately, by the time they’d arrived, the cocktail hour had come and gone. Thankfully, he’d found out Scarlett’s room number after greasing the palm of a valet in the lobby, one who had seen them enter the hotel together. It never hurt to make friends with the staff, and Raoul looked like a guy Luke might need later, so he added a retainer to his information