Dressed to Kill (COBRA Securities Book 22) Read online

  “How are we going to work this?” Ryan asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know as well as I do that the security won’t be up to our standards.”

  He clearly read her mind. “All we can do is make suggestions. The company made it clear that they were doing us a favor by letting us look around. I get the feeling they won’t be receptive to our ideas. We’ll document everything, take pictures, and leave it to Gage to handle.”

  Since it was only a day trip, they didn’t have luggage. Also, because they flew commercial, they didn’t bring weapons. They could’ve checked them if they used a hard-sided container and declared them, but for a quick trip, they decided to go without guns. Kaiya felt naked without one.

  The plane taxied to a stop. They waited their turn to disembark and headed to the lower level to find a cab. They both wore the standard uniform of COBRA Securities polo, tactical pants, and boots. While Ryan’s shirt was mint green, she’d chosen one in burgundy.

  A taxi screeched to a stop, and they climbed inside. Miami flew by as the driver sped along the streets. He dropped them off at the marina, and a sign directed them to the dock where boats waited to whisk people to Fontana Island.

  A few individuals strolled about, but no one paid them any attention as they boarded the boat. Kaiya loved being outdoors. There was something so peaceful about cruising along the endless blue waters. The boat ride was a short one, and soon the island came into view. She whistled under her breath. From her vantage point, it was incredible.

  A man wearing a security uniform was waiting when the boat powered down and drifted to the dock for them to unload. He secured the line and then reached out a hand to help her. Normally, she’d balk at the gesture. She was as capable as any man, but he looked like a cross between Santa Claus and her uncle Pete. She accepted his assistance and stepped onto the planks. Ryan followed. The man introduced himself as Bob Warren, head of island security. She’d spoken with him earlier. They signed their names on forms and were given visitors passes and a golf cart to tour the premises.

  A couple of hours later, she was sure of two things. One, the island was breathtaking. She’d never seen anyplace so beautiful. And two, the security sucked. There were few cameras, and aside from locks on the doors, that was pretty much it.

  Since it was an island, it could be accessed from any point along the perimeter. There was a guardhouse at the dock, but if someone wanted to swing around to the other side, they could. It wouldn’t be as easy, but it was possible.

  She and Ryan went over their notes as they ate a delicious lunch at an outdoor table by a free-form infinity pool. Workers were constructing something that looked like a runway while bleachers were being assembled. Despite the pounding of nails and the whirl of saws, palm trees swayed, birds chirped, and Kaiya felt at peace for the first time in a long time.

  Chapter Three

  Gage wasn’t sure how to interpret the reaction on Brooklyn Fontana’s face—and have mercy—what a face. He’d seen her in pictures. Who in the world hadn’t? But in person, she was beyond stunning. She was almost too perfect. His eyes didn’t want to stop looking at her elegant features.

  Her makeup had been flawless and undoubtedly airbrushed in the photos on magazine covers, calendars, and posters, emphasizing her light-blue eyes and professionally styled hair. Sitting behind her modern desk with the New York City skyline as a backdrop, her hair pulled back from her face in a ponytail and little if any makeup on, she was, in a word, spectacular.

  However, her expression when he announced his name was disconcerting. She looked equal parts horrified and stunned. What had she been expecting? Someone who looked like Cash?

  “I see you two have met.” Ginny Hurst came breezing into the office behind him. Brooklyn came around her desk, and the two women hugged. “Are you going to behave and allow Mr. Monahan to do his job?” Ginny asked her daughter.

  Brooklyn rolled her eyes, looking like a disgruntled teenager instead of a world-famous model. “Of course, Mom. I said I would.”

  “Good. I know he’ll watch out for you, and you can trust him.” She took the seat next to Gage while Brooklyn returned behind her desk. “The company he works for is the best in the business, and believe me, I did my research.”

  “I don’t doubt that.” Brooklyn opened her hands. “However, it’s unnecessary, since Coleta Morales admitted to poisoning the dress. There is no threat.”

  Gage spoke up. “I’m not sure I believe it.”

  Two heads snapped to him. “What’s to question?” Brooklyn looked perplexed. “The Italian and Spanish authorities concluded it was an open and shut case. She confessed.”

  “Yeah, in a typed suicide note on a computer wiped clean of prints. If she were confessing, why would she remove her fingerprints? Officials found no traces of the drug in her apartment or any history of her purchasing it. Plus, she was Catholic.”

  “Oh, my,” Ginny gasped as she clutched his arm. “Suicide would be a mortal sin to her. She didn’t do it. Someone set her up.”

  “We don’t know that for sure,” Gage cautioned, but he was pretty confident.

  “I’m glad I followed my instincts and hired your company. I’ll be able to sleep knowing Brooklyn is protected.” She stood. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” Ginny winked as she left the office.

  “Would you like something to drink, Mr. Monahan?”

  “I’m good. We’re going to be working together and pretending to date. Call me Gage.”

  “Okay, Gage, and I’m Brooklyn.”

  When she flashed that famous smile at him, every single thought in his head left. Gone. Kaput. He couldn’t have managed his name if asked.

  He wasn’t sure how long he stared at her like an idiot. He finally pulled himself together to ask about the schedule for the week.

  “It’s going to be a busy month.” She rolled her head dramatically. “There will be barely any time to fall into bed.”

  At the thought of falling into bed with her, all the blood in his body rushed south, and he shifted to adjust the fit of his jeans.

  “Uh, I mean sleep,” she corrected, a pretty pink stain filling her cheeks. It charmed him to think of this internationally known woman, a supermodel, blushing.

  “I have a meeting with the show staff in a few hours in one of the conference rooms on the third floor. The contestants arrive tomorrow afternoon. We’ll be interviewing them Wednesday and evaluating their potential. That evening, we’ll narrow it down to twenty. We’ve scheduled a photo shoot around New York on Thursday.”

  “Will you be accompanying the women?”

  She shook her head. “One of my producers will be in charge. She’s already arranged transportation and permits, so she’ll handle everything. Early Thursday evening, we’ll announce the final ten, then we’ll attend a huge gala immediately after. Everyone who is anyone in the fashion industry will be there.”

  Great. He loved galas. Not.

  “The ten contestants will fly to Miami on Saturday for the boat ride to the Island, but we’ll leave on Friday to make sure everything is set. The women will have the day to sightsee.”

  “I’ll need a list of all the personnel involved with the production.” He’d have the office run background checks.

  “Wow, well, there are a lot. It takes a big crew to film a television show. I’ll have my assistant work on that now.” She fired off a text.

  “To make our relationship believable, we need to be seen together in public to cement the story.”

  “That won’t be a problem. A few anonymous calls and I can have the paparazzi descend like hungry vultures.”

  “Will this complicate your relationship with Cash Curtis?”

  He could tell the question took her off guard, but she quickly regrouped. “No, we’re not dating anymore. We’ve remained friends, though. I would like to tell Jax the truth about us. I can’t lie to him. He knows me too well.”

  Who the hell was Jax,
and what was his relationship with her? Former boyfriend? Bed buddy? He suddenly wanted to punch the unknown man.

  #

  Brooklyn could stare at Gage Monahan all day and never be bored. He had the most beautiful face. She couldn’t seem to focus on anything but him, and that was a problem. Brooklyn had so much to do in the next few weeks, and frankly, she wasn’t sure she could pull it off. She didn’t have time to fall in lust with her fake boyfriend.

  “Who’s Jax?”

  She’d been so engrossed in studying his features, she’d forgotten what they had been discussing. “Jax is my best friend, and I’ve known him for years. He’s also the creative director in charge of the photo shoots for the show.”

  “For this to work, we need everyone to believe it, so you’ll have to convince him it’s real.”

  It wouldn’t be too hard since she was already feeling very possessive of Gage. But she and Jax had been buddies forever. He knew her better than she knew herself.

  “Do you have a few minutes now to get to know each other? We should learn as much as possible to make it look legit.”

  He made her want to forget all of her commitments. She glanced at her watch. “I have about thirty minutes before I have a call I need to make.”

  “It shouldn’t take that long. I’ve studied your file, so I have a good idea of your background.” He rattled off things she’d forgotten. He knew her well.

  She added a few tidbits and then said, “Your turn.”

  “I was born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma. My father, Kenneth, goes by Ken, and my mother is Eleanor, or Ellie. One younger sister, Mallory. I was all-state in football and baseball. I joined the Navy after I graduated high school and then the SEALs.”

  Her mouth gaped. “You’re a Navy SEAL?”

  “I was, yes.”

  A genuine Navy SEAL. Impressive. That explained the smoking-hot body.

  “I took classes to earn a degree in criminology,” he continued. “When the opportunity arose to join COBRA Securities, I took an honorable discharge.”

  He was a bonafide military hero. “How did we meet?”

  “You were in San Diego to do a swimwear ad three years ago in March. We met at the hotel bar and spent the rest of the weekend together.”

  Brooklyn’s mouth dropped open. “I was in San Diego in March three years ago to do a print ad for Sun and Surf Swimwear.”

  “I know.”

  He had done his research. And he picked a good meeting place. It’d been a last-minute booking, and she’d gone on the shoot alone. She had a feeling he knew that, too. Damn, he was good.

  “Why didn’t we keep dating?”

  “Because I was active duty and shipping out, and you were headed to South Africa.” She shook her head in awe. She flew to Johannesburg after her trip to San Diego. “I left the military, looked you up, and here we are.”

  Yes, here they were. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Fake, but still a couple.

  #

  “I have a map of the island.” Gage unfolded a large piece of paper from his computer bag. “Can you give me an idea of the layout?” Concentrating on the island might give him the distance he needed to focus. Brooklyn distracted him at every level. He wanted to forget about his job and everything else and train his attention entirely on her.

  “Sure. My father purchased Fontana Island as a retreat for his company but didn’t use it enough. They only managed a couple of trips a year, so he added buildings and hired full-time staff. It now serves as an upscale resort. Weddings are a big deal. It can also be rented out for hundreds of thousands of dollars a night, and it’s usually booked solid.”

  “How many staff?”

  “Approximately one hundred, I would guess, though not all work at the same time. Besides the manager, Lyle, there are housekeepers, laundry services personnel, a security team, chefs and their staff, waitstaff, bartenders, boutique workers, gardeners, groundskeepers, and a front office compromised of marketers, human resource personnel, IT consultants, and accountants. I’m sure I’m forgetting people. It takes a mighty team to keep the resort running smoothly. They hire temporary workers when needed, too.”

  “All those people live on the island full-time?”

  She shook her head. “No, the majority live off-site and ferry across.” She pointed to a long dock with a few boats moored in slips. “This is where the boats unload. Eight belong to the island, and we’ve rented ten more to transport people back and forth, so at least four will be docked here at all times.”

  “What’s this?” He pointed to a structure at the top of the dock.

  “It’s a guardhouse where the security team monitors whoever enters and leaves the property. You have to sign in and out so they can keep adequate records.”

  She indicated to an extensive building next to the pier. “This is the boathouse. The boats are stored on the lower level. Various other equipment is housed above, including golf carts that are used to navigate the island. There are paved walkways that cover most of the acreage. Also, inside are a wide range of accouterments, including jet skis, kayaks, catamarans, windsurfing and snorkeling gear, and much more.” Her finger moved to a sandy area. “There are two beaches.”

  Next, she pointed to a gigantic edifice. “This is the main house. Everything was constructed in Balinese style, so there are thatched roofs, teak wood, terraces, and open areas. This is where the production crew will stay in the thirty suites. There is a main gathering room that is perfect for a special party or dinner. It opens up to a palatial terrace and free-form heated pool with a swim-up bar. There is also a fully equipped gymnasium, a cinema, a boutique, a bowling alley, and a game room. Food options include a dining room, a lounge, and a banquet hall where meals will be served buffet-style for the crew. Most of the time, it will be set up where people can wander in and grab a sandwich at any time, but the chefs will prepare dishes every evening. There’s also an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and grill that we’ll use.”

  He couldn’t fathom the enormity of the place. He feared it would be a security nightmare.

  “The accommodations for some of the staff are here behind the main building.” She pointed out the small dwellings before moving to another one closer to the water. “This is the beach house. It’s smaller than the main house, but it also includes a pool and spa. There are six suites on the top two levels, but we’ve rearranged them so the contestants will share two. The others will be used for camera operators and staff.”

  “The cameras will roll at all times?”

  “Pretty much.”

  He studied the map. “This place is incredible.”

  She nodded. “It is.” She tapped several structures along the beach on the opposite side of the property. “These are the bungalows. Each one is nestled in the palms with a private beach and jacuzzi. I’ll use one, and there’s one for you. My assistant, Stella, will have one. Since they are away from the action, none of the production team will use them, so several will be empty. The rest of the staff will stay in Miami and boat over each day.”

  “Brooklyn, to keep up our act, you realize we need to share a room, don’t you?”

  She winced, and damn, his pride took a significant hit. He thought they’d been getting along well. She acted as if the thought of staying in the same bungalow with him was so unappealing.

  #

  Brooklyn couldn’t hide a grimace, knowing that she’d have a hard time keeping her hands to herself if she shared a room with Gage. He mistook her reaction because he quickly added, “I’ll obviously sleep on the couch.”

  She hadn’t meant to offend him, but maybe it was for the best. She didn’t have time for romantic feelings. She refocused on the map. “There is a helipad as well as tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. This area is a serene garden with koi ponds, fountains, tropical flowers, and plants with paths to walk.” She pointed out a long building in the middle of the island. The top floor was made entirely of glass. “This is a multi-purpose building, bu
t its primary use is for conferences or wedding ceremonies. We’re using it as the judging room. The first floor will be the primary hub for wardrobe, hair, and makeup.”

  “Do you know how many security guards are employed?”

  “Ten, I believe, but they don’t all work at the same time. The network hired a company to augment the staff for the show.”

  “I’ll need to talk with whoever is in charge of both island security and the network’s company.”

  “I’ll have Stella get their information for you.” She checked her watch. “The meeting tonight is at five. Dinner will be served after. I have calls I need to make before, so I’ll show you to your room.” She removed two keys from her purse. “Mom and I share the penthouse suite.” She stood and walked around the desk. “This one operates the elevator, and this one the condo.” She handed him the keys.

  She started for the door, expecting him to follow. When he didn’t, she turned with a questioning look.

  “We’re supposed to be a couple who’ve just reconnected after a few years,” he explained.

  “Oh, right. Sorry.”

  She walked over and held out a hand. He took it, and when their palms touched, sparks shot up her arm. Her eyes flew to his face. He felt it, too. Dropping his hand, she threaded her arm around his, hoping to lessen the shock waves. Didn’t help. And holy moly, his arms were as solid as tree trunks.

  “One more thing before we go.”

  She looked up at him, and before she could so much as gasp, his lips came down over hers. More sparks. So many, it felt like a raging inferno. His lips were firm yet soft and skilled. She sighed into it, thinking about how she’d known him for a minute, yet this was the best kiss she’d shared in her life.

  She almost whimpered when he pulled away. Her eyes fluttered open.

  “Thought we should get that out of the way,” he said in a gruff, sexy rumble. Oh my, this man affected her. All she wanted to do was drag him to the couch and have her wicked way with him.