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

to my place for a nightcap?” she asked, the sparkle in her eye and flirtatious note to her voice making it clear a drink was the last thing on her mind.

The thought of devouring her voluptuous body and sleeping in a safe haven was too good to pass up. Abruptly pausing his step and turning to face her, he slid his free hand into her hair, and dropped his lips on hers.

The kiss sent his heart hammering and his cock surging to life. As he slowly pulled back and gazed down at her pretty face, he realized there was a chance he might be able to swerve off his dangerous path. But there was one thing he had to do before he could exit.

“Roxy, by any chance do you know anyone who owns a motorboat and would be willing to rent it to me for cash, no questions asked? Not now of course. In the morning,” he added, lowering his voice.

“I sure do,” she replied with a happy grin. “You’re looking at her.”

* * *

Jack had returned, and while he and Scott discussed the details for seizing the encampment, Elizabeth sat quietly, listening intently. Even with David Clark’s invaluable input, there were many elements that needed to be perfectly coordinated. But no word from Ewen, Elizabeth was becoming anxious. When Jack finally left, she ambled up to the telescope, and peered out at the moonlit ocean.

“It’s hard to believe there’s so much chaos around us,” she murmured as Scott walked up and stood beside her. “Aren’t you the least bit worried?”

“I’m not worried, but I’m always concerned when I’m going into an elaborate operation.”

“What about Ewen? Why hasn’t he called? If he can’t get that tracker into Sonny’s private quarters, how will you do it? And listening to Jack talk about capturing the encampment, good grief, it’s so complex. Then there’s Dan Miller. He’s still on the loose. There’s so much going on, how can you not help but worry?”

“Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair,” he said patiently. “It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

A soft smile curled her lips. “Where did you pick that up?”

“I stole it from a Brit I met overseas. Elizabeth,” he continued, lowering his voice. “I’ve learned most situations are not black and white.”

“More like varying shades of gray?” she quipped with a wink. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. What are you trying to say?”

“Don’t apologize, it’s actually relevant. There’s an adage, see what I see, feel what I feel, hear what I hear, then maybe you’ll understand why I do what I do. Until then, don’t judge me. You may see me as too strict or too demanding, but it comes from…”

“From what?” she asked, not understanding the odd look on his face.

“It comes from how much I care. Elizabeth, I love you, every exasperating, gorgeous inch of you.”

Her heart springing in her chest, she tried to find her voice but her throat constricted, refusing to let her speak.

“I love you too, Scott,” she finally managed, throwing her arms around his neck. “When I left here and went back to Los Angeles, you were like a shadow following me around. I couldn’t shake you, no matter how hard I tried.”

“Yeah, I thought about you too, every day,” he mumbled. “You’re not leaving again, and that’s an order.”

“You don’t have to worry, Captain Scott. I’m not going anywhere.”

* * *

Scott was about to seal his words with a kiss when his phone rang. Though loath to let Elizabeth go, he hurried back to his desk.

“It’s Ewen,” he exclaimed, glancing at the screen then snatching it up. “Hello?”

“Hey, Scott, I assume you overheard Conchello inviting me to his private quarters at the party tomorrow night. Is that any help to you?”

“Yeah, it’s great news. Have you given them the list of clothes you want from your apartment?”

“Not yet.”

“Listen carefully. This is what you’re going to do.”

“That’s bloody brilliant,” Ewen declared as Scott finished speaking. “I can pull that off, no problem.”

“Great, I’ll start the tracker at precisely 11:15 p.m. The money must in place by then.”

“No worries, mate,” Ewen replied confidently.

“I don’t know what kind of deal we can work out when this comes to an end,” Scott said solemnly, “but I’ll do my best for you.”

“I’ve worked for assholes my whole life, but I’ve never met anyone like Conchello. I’m bloody grateful you’ve given me a way out.”

“I suspect you’re not alone. Working for the devil, things must get pretty hot.”

“They do, and speaking of things getting hot, I have to call you from my bathroom and I’ve been in here too long already.”

“Go, and good luck.”

“Luck is for rabbits, mate, but thanks.”

“That sounded encouraging,” Elizabeth said as the call ended.

“It was,” Scott replied as his phone rang again. “Now what?” he muttered, looking back at the screen. “It’s Sam, one of my team. He’s picking up the Jeep. Hey, Sam, what’s up?”

“Someone broke in. They found the key in the cigar holder and cleared out the contents of the hidden storage area.”

“That’s crazy! I didn’t get an alert!”

“That’s weird, but it’s not the only thing. The passenger seat has been pushed all the way back and lowered as far down as it can go, like someone used it to sleep in.”

“Pull prints and run them through the data base starting with Daniel Miller, and look for long black hairs.”

“You’re shittin’ me,” Sam exclaimed. “You think Miller was in this Jeep?”

“Nothing would surprise me at this point, and Sam, leave it the way you found it. Whether it was Miller or someone else, they can’t know we discovered the theft. If they do they won’t turn on the phone. That’s the only way we’ll know where they are.”

“Gotcha, I’ll pull the prints and see if I can find those hairs, then take off.”

“Get me those results yesterday.”

“You bet, boss.”

“You think Dan broke into the Jeep,” Elizabeth asked with wide eyes as Scott ended the