Page 34 of The Romance Adventure
Ryan takes his items and his gaze sails between Royal and me like he knows something we don’t. His twin grunts.
“I guess we’ll go check out the resort and see how many bulldozers we’ll need.” Royal looks sharply at me.
Magnus adds, “Don’t fall through the floorboards.”
“Watch out for gators, or is it crocs? I can never remember.”
The brothers continue to issue warnings.
Then, with a wink, Ryan adds, “And beware of beautiful women.”
Royal’s gaze lands on me. He has paper-cutter eyes, like he wants to tear this situation to shreds, and me with it.
I swallow thickly because even though I won’t let someone like him tread all over me, I’m out of my depth, pretending to be Bean.
They leave the two of us in the office, which is sizeable, but somehow seems smaller now.
With a click of my tongue, I say, “Well, I should close up here.”
“Don’t you have work to do? This is a law office after all.”
“You said you’re a lawyer. It’s not like they’re here around the clock.”
“I manage investments. My legal background helps. But if I didn’t know better, I’d think today was your first day on the job.”
As I close the office door behind me, I stumble in the high heels but catch myself without dumping liquids, breaking anything, or colliding with Royal. Best to keep my hands and arms inside the ride vehicle at all times, because boy, has this been a roller coaster ride of a day.
This is Bean’s territory. Earlier, I caught myself before blowing my cover and blurting my name and how I’m not even supposed to be here. But I don’t want to get my sister in trouble. When I quit, I looked across the street at everything she’s worked so hard for and don’t want to see it ruined because I couldn’t carry off the teeniest, tiniest of deceptions.
I’ll explain to her what happened and she’ll know what to do.
Royal and I stand in front of the entrance to Mr. Edmonton’s office as if neither one of us wants to go over to the resort. Him, because he’s a curmudgeon and probably wants to get rid of me. I want to change shoes, but must remain in character. Sophisticated legal assistants can run marathons in heels, so surely, I can hoof it to the resort property without turning an ankle.
“You and your brothers seem close.”
The other three McGregor brothers check out CJ’s boat docked on the nearby shore.
“We used to be.”
“Did you grow up visiting Coco Key?” I ask.
“We lived here. Chip raised us from the time I was about five.”
“Oh,” is all I can say because that might mean that something happened to Royal’s parents, too.
He scuffs his boot on the ground. “I told myself Chip summoned me here for a birthday party. Morbid that it turned out to be more like a funeral party. Not much to celebrate. The old man was eccentric, though. You shouldn’t have sent the cards.”
“I didn’t.” But I don’t say more.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You were just following instructions. Chip probably sealed the envelopes and barked orders.”
“Royal, I never met him.”
“That’s a surprise since everyone on the island knew him.” He pauses. “Actually, everyone knew of him. I don’t think any of us truly knew him. His stories were legendary. Mythic, even.” Royal exhales a breath like his grandfather’s death catches up with him.
“I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
“Don’t be. I never had him. Chip was the original Lone Ranger. A real swashbuckler. He was the captain, and we were the pirates who regularly attempted to lead a mutiny. Even Magnus. Especially him.”
