In Deep Waters Read Free Page B

wide with excitement. "When does Peyna Deass arrive? I want to roll in the hay with her." She turned to Kayla. "Daddy says that's what she needs to do."
    "On that note, I'd better put my little magpie back in her cage."
    "I want to see the little magpie, Daddy. Is it in your room?" Before he could say a word, Madison skipped down the passageway toward his cabin.
    "She's cute."
    "Sometimes a little too cute," he admitted. "What she said--"
    "Why don't we make your original apology all-inclusive?"
    He couldn't believe she was letting him off so easily. "Deal."
    "Speaking of which, do you want to start over again?" A smile as wide as the Panama Canal lit up Kayla's face, and Ben's breath caught in his throat. She introduced herself and winked. "Third time's the charm."
    Okay, she had a great smile and a sense of humor. Not to mention a great body and face. Not that he was interested, but it didn't hurt to look.
    "So are you going to be the lucky charm that leads us to the Izzy ?"
    Kayla nodded. "Most definitely."
    Over his dead body. "You sound confident."
    "I am," she admitted. "Because I know where the Isabella is...and you don't."
    Chapter Two
    She shouldn't have said that.
    It may have been the truth, but the moment the words escaped, Kayla regretted them. She'd glimpsed a softer side of Ben during his interaction with Madison. A side Kayla liked. She didn't want to antagonize him and bring the mean pirate back.
    Too late.
    His eyes darkened; his nostrils flared. If he could breathe fire, she would be toast.
    And then he laughed.
    Kayla did a double take.
    Yes, Ben Mendoza was definitely laughing. The deep, rich sound rippled through the air and surrounded her. His laugh was warm and intriguing and much too appealing. She didn't know whether to be relieved or worried.
    "That's a good one." The crinkles at the corners of his eyes should have made him look older. Harder. Instead, they took years off and softened the rugged planes of his face. Kayla's heart beat triple-time. "You had me going for about thirty seconds."
    He didn't believe her. Worse, he was laughing at her. Kayla's blood boiled. She dug her nails into her palms.
    What nerve. She'd felt guilty for saying something that might upset him when he was still a total jerk. And here she thought he was a sensitive father.
    The man was as soft as an abalone. A mixture of embarrassment and anger washed over her. She wanted to tell him what she thought of his expedition. She wanted to tell him why he'd better listen to her.
    She wanted to tell him where he could stick it.
    Be poised, confident. You are the one in charge. Kayla tilted her chin, "I'm serious, Ben. "
    His smile disappeared faster than a galleon caught in a hurricane. He started, then stopped himself. "The Museum of Maritime History signed off on our research."
    She nodded. "Jay Bruce verified your research. He's no longer with the museum. In fact, several law-enforcement agencies have been trying to track him down. Seems he was selling bogus shipwreck information on the Internet." The crestfallen expression on Ben's face almost made her feel bad. "Almost" being the operative word.
    "Why wasn't I notified?"
    "You just were."
    A vein throbbed in his neck, reminding Kayla he was human after all.
    "Mr. Andrews was supposed to explain the details when the arrangements for my--" she searched for the correct word "--visit were made. I know you've been blindsided. I don't blame you for being...defensive, but the museum and investors are a bit concerned with the lack of targets, given the vast area you've searched."
    "They said they were worried about the legitimacy of the operation."
    "That, too," she admitted. "But funds are not unlimited."
    Ben Mendoza might be a lot of things, but stupid wasn't one of them. The thoughtful look on his face told Kayla he understood the seriousness of the situation. She didn't want to threaten him, but would if necessary. Finding the Isabella was the priority. Nothing else mattered.