Her Very Strict Captain by Carpenter, Maggie (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

to call Emily back. While I’m doing that, you can email your guy, but don’t reveal the location of this place.”

“I couldn’t if I wanted to. I have no idea where we are. I don’t even know how long it took to get here. I was asleep.”

Suddenly reaching into her hair, he pulled her toward him and pressed his lips on hers.

Longing rippled through her body.

She wanted to be naked.

In his arms.

His mouth moving across her skin.

Kissing and licking every inch…

“I’m glad you came back to me, Elizabeth,” he said softly, breaking away as abruptly as he’d kissed her.

Watching him stand up and walk across the room, she had to force herself to pull her eyes away.

It was then she realized just how much she cared.

Too much.

Way, way too much.

* * *

The kiss still lingering on his lips and his cock stirring, Scott stepped into the hall, took a moment to focus his thoughts, then lifted his phone from his pocket and placed the call. The widow of a career military man, Emily was Jack’s mother. Jack had been in Scott’s SEAL team, and Emily had spent a week with the two of them in the islands after her husband had passed away.

She’d loved being there and near her son.

The timing could not have been more perfect.

Jack was establishing the Shady Shack, Scott had launched the sailing school, and the safehouse had just been completed. When Emily was asked if she’d be their eyes and ears on the small island and help take care of the home, she’d leapt at the offer.

“Hello, Emily,” Scott said as she answered. “How are you?”

“Very well, and I’m glad you got my note. I thought about calling, but I know how busy you and Jack are, and I’m always worried about interrupting something.”

“You can always call. If I can’t answer, I’ll call you right back.”

“But, Scott, I know what it’s like to have a phone ring at a bad time.”

He grinned. “I’m sure you do. What’s up?”

“Well, the thing is, I’ve noticed speedboats showing up and pulling into the beach. Normally I wouldn’t pay much attention, but I’ve seen them every time I’ve been at the house. It struck me as a bit strange.”

“The same boats every time?”

“Yes, that’s another reason I think it’s unusual. The same three boats. I did manage to get their names, and the registration number of one of them.”

“Good work.”

“That telescope is addictive,” she remarked. “I couldn’t stop watching.”

“I know. It steals time.”

“You’re so right! I stand there staring through it, then look at my watch and an hour has passed.”

“Exactly, but at the moment I’m glad it has you hooked. Please text me the names of the boats, and that reg number, or email them to me. Either is fine.”

“I’ll email them.”

“Anything else you can tell me?”

“There certainly is,” she said earnestly. “They didn’t stay more than twenty minutes or so, and they never lounged on the beach or went swimming.”

“Did you notice anything being carried from the boats, or anyone leaving with something they didn’t have when they arrived?”

“That’s the other thing, they unloaded crates and boxes, but a couple of times I saw them walking down to the water’s edge carrying plastic bags.”

Scott’s pulse ticked up. “Were they men or women?”

“Just men, sometimes there were two of them, sometimes three.”

“When did this start happening?”

“About a week ago, thought at first I didn’t pay any attention, but they kept coming back.”

“Thank you, Emily. You’re a star.”

“How long will you be here, Scott?”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know.”

“Will I see you before you leave?” she asked hopefully.

“Probably, I’m with a friend and I’d like to take her on a scooter ride to the township.”

“You must, I’d love to see you. Will you stop in for coffee?”

“Of course,” he promised, not wanting to disappoint her. “I’m just not sure when.”

“Oh, good, I can’t wait.”

“Thanks again, Emily. Bye.”

“Goodbye, Scott.”

Ending the call, he quickly sent a text.

Frank,

Operation name: Justice.

I need eyes in the sky.

Look for 3 speedboats traveling together. I’ll have the names shortly, and the reg of one.

Heading back to the security room, he thought about the boat zipping past the yacht when he’d first arrived. Though he had an exceptional memory, he’d only glimpsed the vessel for a second, and the only thing that came to mind was a black streak running along the side. Walking in, he found Elizabeth peering through the telescope.

“See anything interesting?” he asked, moving up behind her and putting his arms around her waist.

“Not really, except those clouds coming in. They’re so ominous.”

“Elizabeth, when you left here and returned to Los Angeles, what was the information you gave Conchello?”

“A map showing the location of the least populated islands you’d pointed out, and my observations about the areas they were in.”

“Do you remember them?”

“I handed everything over to Jim, my boss at the DEA, but the map might still be in my phone. It’s in my bag. Oh, shit. The sim card.”

“Ah, right,” he muttered, taking her hand and leading her from the room. “Do you remember how many islands you recommended and where they were?”

“Uh… I think four or five. Why?”

“Emily just told me speedboats have been showing up here.”

“One zipped by us when we arrived.”

“I know. It had a black streak running along the side,” he remarked as they entered the bedroom. “I wish I’d paid more attention.”

“Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“From what Emily just told me, they started appearing at the beach about the time you left L.A. If Conchello has been operating on an island you suggested, and he knows you’re down here, he might have decided to move house.”

“Oh, right.”

“I would if I were him.”

“But do you honestly think he’s moving to this island right under your nose?”

“It looks like he might be, but he doesn’t know I’m here, or anything about me.”

“But that’s crazy,” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe it.”

“One thing I’ve learned, Elizabeth, coincidences happen all the time.”

“Yes, they do,” she