Page 36 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“I thought you were in Greece, actually,” he told her.
“Oh!” Dawn nodded, not believing one word of what he said. “Of course you did.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m going to give you one chance to give me an honest answer and tell me what you’re doing here.”
The man paused, his smile never faltering under her intense scrutiny. “I’m delivering Alex’s new yacht. It’s supposed to be a surprise for when he gets back from his honeymoon.” He leaned against the doorframe, casually shoving his hands in his gown pockets.
Liam stood gaping at the exchange between two of his guests in the most expensive suites in his hotel. He stepped forward, asking, “Do you two know each other?”
“You could say that,” the man told him, his grin getting cheekier. “Although it’s been a while since we’ve talked. Not for the lack of trying on my part.” He winked at Dawn, infuriating her even more. “She’s always far too busy to return calls or text messages.”
“Cut it out,” Dawn warned him. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“I told you,” the man repeated with a heavy sigh. “I’m delivering Alex’s new superyacht as per his parents’ request and insistence that I be the one to do so.”
“Nicewhitegown you’re wearing,“ Dawn noted. “Is it part of your blending to spy and steal things technique?” She noticed a fresh bandage wound on his hand. “Any dogs bitten you within the last half an hour or so.”
He looked at her as though she had lost her mind. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Dawn folded her arms across her chest as she held the young man in her angry gaze. “Just you pulling your ninja stealth thing and sneaking into my suite where you got bitten by Hicks.”
“Dawn!” Liam said in disbelief. “You can’t go accusing people of something like that.”
“Dawn, I haven’t done my ‘stealth things’ since I was twelve.” His face scrunched up in frustration, and he held up his bandaged hand. “I got this on the docks just after I arrived here when I was showing a new crew member how to properly secure a superyacht.” He cocked his head. “Go ask the lovely lady in the reception. The one with the wild, fiery red hair. She’ll tell you as she was the one to bandage the wound.”
“I’m going to do that,” Dawn warned him. “And you’d better not be lying to me.”
Hurt mingled with anger flashed in his eyes for a few seconds, and he shook his head. “Nice to see nothing changed. I’m still the one who always causes trouble.”
“Well, what do you expect?” Dawn asked him. “You keep on about us not trusting you and always looking at you first whenever something goes wrong, and you’re around. But you’ve never given us any reason to trust you.”
“Maybe…” the man said, straightening to his full impressive height of six-foot-three, “I just want the people who are supposed to love me unconditionally to do just that. But you can’t, can you?” Hurt and bitterness sparked in his voice. “Because none of you ever took the time to get to know me.” He pursed his lips and nodded. “Just like now, you were all too busy to ever do just that.”
Dawn’s heart dropped, and guilt washed over as his words sunk in, and she knew he was right.
“No!” Dawn said, stepping up to him. “You’re wrong, you know.” She held out her arms to him, pulling her to him in a hug. “I’m sorry I barged in here accusing you.”
The man wrapped his arms around her and lifted her into a bear hug.
Liam cleared his throat. “Uh… How do the two of you know each other?”
Standing arm in arm with the man, Dawn turned to Liam, realizing she’d been rude and not introduced them properly.
“Oh, sorry, man,” the man said, holding out his hand. “I’m Wade.” He shook Liam’s hand. “Vanderbilt. Dawn’s little brother.”
“Listen, Wade,” Dawn started, her voice firm, “we’re about to head into the tunnels under the hotel. Before we do, and before the police get involved, we need to know if there’s anything you’re not telling us.”
The elevator dinged, and Carl stepped out, stopping when he saw Wade.
“Mr. Vanderbilt?” Carl’s eyes widened. “When did you get in?” He frowned. “We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
“Hey, Carl.” Wade gave the man a salute. “I arrived ahead of schedule.”
“You were supposed to check in with me the moment you arrived,” Carl reminded him, walking toward them. “You know the rules, young sir.”
“Geez, even when I’m on legitimate business I get treated like I’m on probation.” Wade shook his head and stifled a yawn. “Listen. I love catching up with you all.” He looked at Liam. “Itwas nice meeting you, Liam.” He grinned at Hicks and scratched the dogs, who looked up adoringly at him. “It was a privilege to meet you, big guy.”
“There’s an iguana in my room, too,” Dawn blurted, regretting the moment it was out. Wade loved animals, and before all his trouble started, he was going to be a wildlife vet.
“No way!” Wade’s eyes instantly lit up, and all remnants of sleep were gone. “This I have to see.”
