Danger in Paradise Read Free Page A

the property in Cuba, they’ve lived in Jamaica for the past couple decades. They just bought a home in Miami. They’re trying to settle in and she wants to decorate their new home completely in photographs from his family’s ancestral home.”
    “Nice wife.”
    His voice softened when he spoke. “That she is.” He started to say more when Frank returned with their food.
    “When’s their anniversary?” she asked as she picked up her fork.
    “In a month.”
    “Jeez, no wonder she’s willing to pay double.” She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, then asked, “Is that all?”
      “No. When you’re through, she also wants you to come to Miami to photograph her and their daughter.”
    Her shoulders lifted slightly. “I don’t normally do portraits, but it won’t be a problem.”
    He picked up his fork and stabbed a shrimp, hoping his relief wasn’t obvious. Normally he didn’t have a problem hiding his emotions, but her very presence threw him off kilter. “I thought you might have other work lined up, but this is great.”
    “Hey, as long as they pay for travel expenses, I wouldn’t mind if they wanted me to go to China.”
    “Can you leave tomorrow?”
    She nodded and took a bite of her coconut shrimp.
    He cleared his throat and continued. “We can either fly into the Bahamas or Jamaica, and then head to Cuba, or we can sail there.”
    “Whatever works for you, but sailing is a lot quicker.”
    Well that was interesting. He’d expected more of a reaction. “You don’t care that it’s illegal to travel there?”
    “Technically it’s not illegal for me to be there. It’s only illegal if I spend money there, and I don’t plan to spend a dime. Our government has a lot more to worry about than American citizens visiting Cuba anyway.” She took another bite of her shrimp and lifted her eyebrows at him.
    “I take it you’ve been there before?”
    “Sort of. I’ve gone diving off the coast of Cienfuegos a few times.”
    “How long have you been diving?”
    “I guess about twelve years. I almost drowned when I was fifteen and when Mac…Mac taught me to swim and I literally took to it like a fish.”
    She probably didn’t realize it, but her entire expression changed when she talked about her dad, and for a moment, she let him see a softer side. A side he very much wanted to get to know. Luke had to remind himself to breathe as he looked at her. “That’s facing your fears head on.” He took a bite of his shrimp pasta when he realized her age. She was twenty-seven. The same age as Maria.
    Something solid settled in his gut. It couldn’t be. The odds of finding Anna now were insane. Now, after years of searching and heartache.
    “Luke?” Her voice startled him back to the present.
    “What did you say?” How long had he been sitting there?
    “Nothing, you’re just looking at that plate of food as if it holds the answers to life.” Her pale eyes danced with laughter and his heart stuttered. Actually stuttered.
    Which was all kinds of stupid.
    He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I was just thinking we need to get an early start tomorrow if we want to make it by dark.”
    “So I take it we’re sailing instead of flying?” 
    If it made the Santiagos happy, he’d get on a boat. In fact, it was the only reason in the world he’d do it. “Yes, but only because it’s quicker.”
    “Tell me you don’t get seasick.”
    He took a bite of his pasta and ignored her question. “I’d like to leave around seven tomorrow if that works for you.”
    “Sure. Where’s the boat docked?”
    “At your dad’s marina.”
    Her eyes widened. “Are you the guy with the new Hatteras?”
    “Well technically it’s not mine, but yeah, that’s what we’ll be heading down in.”
    “I’m impressed.” She pushed her empty plate away and leaned back in her seat.
    Hell, he didn’t even like boats, but hearing her say she was impressed did something to his ego. “What do you say we meet at the