Page 96 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Scott!” Tracy’s voice cracked like a whip through the parking lot. “Darling, they can manage this. Can’t you see they just want you to go?” She grinned and blew a kiss at Dawn. “Love you, sister. Please be careful. You too, Liam. I would really like to see you again.”
Scott shook Liam’s hand again and hugged Dawn one more time. “Love you,” he told her.
“I love you too, big brother,” Dawn said, smiling at him. “Now go before you have a mutiny on your hands.”
Scott rushed to the car. Liam and Dawn waved them off, watching the SUV drive away.
“Let’s hope Detective Winslow can help get this sorted,” Dawn said with a sigh. “I want to have dinner, a bath, and then drop into bed and sleep for a week.” She smiled at Liam. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to do much interim management.”
“Well, you’ve been busy sailing and taking on the phantom pirate that keeps kidnapping you.” Liam smiled, putting his arm around her shoulder and leading her back into the hotel. “I could order something to be delivered to my office?”
“Could you?” Dawn said as they stepped back into his office, and she chose to flop down onto one of the sofas in the small seating area of his office.
“Of course,” Liam said. “Give me a minute. “I’ll get Donna on it.”
“I think we should leave poor Donna and do it ourselves,” Dawn told him. “She’s a bit busy pet-sitting at the moment.”
“You’re right,” Liam nodded. “Come on, let’s go to the restaurant.”
He held out his hand for Dawn. Liam’s skin seemed to become electrified whenever she touched him. He pulled her to him, and their eyes locked. Liam’s hands cupped her face, and her arms encircled his waist. Their lips started to move towards each other when a knock on Liam’s office door made them spring apart.
Liam’s heart was pounding in his chest when he turned to look at the door. “Come in,” he called.
Detective Winslow entered. “Good day, Mr. Gains,” she greeted and glanced at Dawn, introducing herself. “You must be Miss Vanderbilt.”
“Dawn, please,” Dawn said, shaking the woman’s hand.
“Detective Winslow?” Daniel Peters popped into the office. “There you are.” He pocketed his phone. “I’ve done what you…” He stopped short. His eyes widened when he saw Liam and Dawn. “Oh.” He took a step closer to the detective as if for protection. “Did you tell them already?” He glanced at the detective. “Don’t forget the deal. Full immunity, and I want to be relocated. You have no idea what they’re capable of.”
“Relax,” Detective Winslow snapped at the young man. “And I told you to wait outside until I called you.”
“Yeah, but my sister’s on her way, so you’re going to have to hurry this up,” Daniel advised.
“What is going on?” Liam asked, looking from the detective to Daniel.
“Why is Daniel Peters here?” Dawn asked. “And why are you offering him full immunity and protection?”
“Because…” Daniel started, but Detective Winslow cut him off.
“Sit down,” she ordered Daniel, pointing to an office chair, before walking over and closing Liam’s door. “I was briefed over the phone by Mr. Scott Vanderbilt just before I got here about everything you’ve managed to piece together.” She glanced at Dawn. “I’m so sorry about the ordeal you’ve been through, Miss… sorry, Dawn.”
Dawn gave the woman a smile and nod.
“Shall we sit?” Liam suggested, walking toward his desk where Daniel was sitting in one of the three chairs in front of it.
Liam took a seat in his office chair and faced Dawn, who was sitting on Daniel’s opposite side with the detective between them.
“We don’t have much time,” Detective Winslow told them. “I believe you met my guest?”
“We did meet Daniel, “ Dawn confirmed. “And he’s called me a few times.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Daniel told her.
Liam frowned. He didn’t seem at all like the man they met the other night.
“Time for apologies later,” the Detective advised.
“I just wanted to meet you, Miss Vanderbilt. I’m a huge fan. I want to be an actor, and my sister told me that if I played this part, she’d make sure to introduce us properly,” Daniel leaned over to tell Dawn. “I wasn’t aware of what they were doing until…” His face paled, and he looked at the detective.
