will be too many people around. Not to mention all the rooms will be full.”
“You could stay at our little bungalow, but the renovations on the spare bedroom aren’t complete and you’d have to sleep on the couch.”
“All my bedrooms are full at the lighthouse cottage,” Kayla offered. “It would be a couch there, too, and it’s exposed to the windows.”
“I’d sleep anywhere with a pillow.” Nicole leaned against the wall.
Emma grinned. “I know the perfect place. It’s quiet, secluded and no one would think to look for you there.”
With frown, Dave braced himself, intuition telling him he wasn’t going to like what Emma had to say next. “Where did you have in mind?”
“The answer to the perfect place to hide.” She turned to face him. “Why doesn’t she stay here? What do you say, Dave?”
All gazes turned toward Dave. “Why can’t she stay at one of the hotels in town?”
Valdez shook his head. “Too public.”
“She could rent a vacation cottage,” he offered.
“They’re all full,” Molly said. “The wedding guests took over a lot of them and most of the hotel rooms.”
Dave crossed his arms. “She’s not staying here.”
“But it makes sense. If she needs to get out of town, why not go by boat?” Emma continued to grin, making Dave’s teeth grind.
“No.” He shook his head. “Besides, haven’t you heard of sitting ducks? A boat is easy to spot in the water.”
Nicole glanced around, her brows rising. “I seriously doubt this old boat’s engines even work.”
Dave glared at Tazer. “The engines work great. I refurbished them first, now I’m working on the cosmetics.”
Valdez chuckled. “Sorry, Dave, but it is a good solution. If the people who are looking for her get close, you can head out to sea at night.”
“She’s not staying,” Dave insisted.
“I can’t sleep on Kayla’s couch. I won’t put the baby and your son at risk.” Nicole laid her head on the table. “Frankly, I’m ready to climb into a cardboard box and sleep on the street.”
The room went silent as she laid still. Her eyes were closed, the dark circles more pronounced in the soft glow of light from overhead.
A knot of guilt churned in Dave’s gut until finally he said, “Fine. She can stay here.” He didn’t know what came over him to open his big fat mouth and offer her a place to stay. But now that it was out there, he couldn’t take it back. And as much as he valued his privacy, he didn’t want to take it back.
The woman could barely stand on her own two feet. If she didn’t get some rest, she’d fall flat on her face. That and the fact he’d nearly killed her.
“One night. She can stay one night. Tomorrow you have to come up with another plan.”
Emma’s brows crooked upward. “That’s really noble of you, Dave. You sure it won’t put you out too much? I mean, this being the lap of luxury and all.” She winked.
“Don’t push it, Emma.” Dave glared at his friend. “This place looks like hell on the outside for the sole purpose of keeping people from dropping by.”
“Oh, honey.” Emma laughed. “It’s working.”
“Which is perfect.” Valdez clapped his hands together. “If possible, it’s the ugliest boat at the marina.”
“I wouldn’t say ugly,” Dave defended. It was his home, after all. “It’s my boat and I like it the way it is.”
Emma’s lips twitched. “Trust me, Dave, it’s ugly.”
He shrugged and glanced at Tazer. “Suit yourself.”
Nicole’s head came up. “Does it have electricity?”
He nodded. “And running water.”
“Hot?” she asked hopefully.
Again he nodded.
“Sounds like heaven.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’ll stay. Tomorrow I’ll retrieve my motorcycle. I need to be able to bug out if I’m discovered.”
Now that he was committed to putting her up for the night, Dave said, “I’ll take care of it for you.”
“Where’s the shower?” Nicole yawned, covering her mouth.
“The head’s through that door.” Dave motioned toward a narrow wood-paneled door.
Emma clucked her tongue. “You could be a little more hospitable. You shouldn’t be such a loner. No man’s an island.”
“I like being a loner. I’m a freakin’ island and love it that way.”
“Everyone needs a friend.” Emma patted his arm. “And right now, Tazer needs you to be her friend.”
“I’ve committed to one night. That’s it.”
Nicole fought a smile. “Have pity on poor Dave. The man’s being railroaded.”
Dave’s eyes narrowed. The woman looked as if she was actually enjoying watching him squirm. Damned woman.
Valdez handed Steele his cell phone. “Tazer, take my cell phone.”
Nicole held up her hands. “No way. And I suggest you all ditch your SOS cells, like Sam said. If someone has our database, we’re all at risk.”
Valdez nodded. “I knew that.” He dropped his phone on the floor of the boat and stepped on it.
Thomas followed suit.
“In the meantime, you know where to find me,” Nicole said.
Valdez laughed. “I think we can find you. We just have to look for the ugliest boat on the dock.”
The two agents laughed and joked as they exited Dave’s yacht, reminding him of how close he and his squad had been, making light of difficult situations and being there for each other when the going got tough. His chest tightened as he recalled Mike’s ultimate sacrifice. He’d have given everything for his brothers in arms, and ultimately he had.
Molly, Kayla and Gabe followed Valdez. Emma was last to climb out of the boat, leaving Dave stuck with his guest.
Nicole pushed to her feet, swayed and steadied. Then she headed for the shower.
He grabbed a towel from the storage cabinet and handed it to her as she ducked around him. For a moment she paused and looked over her shoulder. “Dave?”
“Yeah.”
