her purse, including the damn lockpicks, but not the little revolver. Ben had had enough of her flaunting her prowess with a gun for one day. The other bag contained her camera and some food for the night.
“Everything accounted for?” he asked her as he started up the engine, hoping she’d check for the lockpicks or the gun so he could question her about them.
But she blithely sorted through her belongings, suddenly not as concerned about her things as she had been a couple of hours ago. “I believe so.”
Definitely an enigma that woman. She never did the expected. He’d been serious aboard the ship, however. She was coming clean tonight whether she liked it or not.
A summer storm was forming off in the distance decorating the skyline with deep blues and purples. In order to make sure they’d outrun it, Ben pushed the throttle so the boat was skimming the water. Quinn stood beside him, staring at the bay in wonderment. Conversation was nearly impossible over the roar of the engines. She turned to him, a generous smile on her face.
“I’ve missed this,” she shouted.
Something about her expression told him it was one of the few truthful statements she’d made since their paths had crossed again. He smiled back, glad to have even a small glimpse of the old Quinn. Her face lit up again when he pointed the bow toward the cove housing the Think Tank. The engines quieted when he throttled down, allowing them to drift into the small slip concealed by overgrown bushes.
“It’s still standing,” she marveled.
A flurry of expressions passed over her face. Surprise. Bashfulness. And finally, unadulterated joy. He hadn’t expected that. Throughout the past two days, he’d been searching for the girl he once knew. Hoping to reconnect with the one he’d loved with all his heart. The grownup version of Quinn Darby had kept that girl under lock and key, however.
Until now.
“Tell me we’re staying here?” she practically begged, surprising him yet again.
“We are. And you’ll be happy to know, I’ve made some improvements over the years.”
They each grabbed a line as the boat idled.
“You actually own it?”
“Yeah. They were going to tear it down.” He shrugged, deliberately avoiding the truth. “I had nothing else to do with my money.” He cut the engine and reached for her suitcase.
“I can’t wait to see it.” She grabbed her purse, her camera bag, and the food before gingerly climbing out of the boat.
“Careful,” he warned when she slipped on one of the weathered planks leading up the hill. “The terrain is still a bit rough.”
All the better to keep the general public away.
She reached the door first, bouncing up and down on her toes in her eagerness to get inside. Ben hesitated a few feet away. He was taking a huge risk bringing her here. Not only was this his private sanctuary, it was also a secret government facility. He wasn’t even sure what or who Quinn was. But with its unique location and high-tech security, this was the most secure place to keep her safe while he sorted out her connection to Ronoff. Hell, had he known being back here would unleash the younger version of Quinn, he would have gone all caveman and made off with her the minute he caught her snooping around the Seas the Day yesterday. It would have saved them both a great deal of drama.
He walked over to her side and lifted one of the cedar shingles. When he leaned in and scanned his retina, the locks on the door clicked open automatically. She stopped bouncing and simply gaped at him.
“You are James Bond.” There was definitely awe in her voice.
“Or a psycho mad scientist.” He winked. “Now you have to decide whether or not it’s worth the risk to come inside. But beware, you only get to leave when you tell me the truth. The whole truth.”
She considered him a long moment. There was no trace of insecurity in her expression. No fear. In fact, she looked pretty damn confident that she could beat him at his own game. And damned if he wasn’t turned on by her poise.
“I guess I’ll take my chances,” she called over her shoulder when she stepped inside.
The lights flickered on with every stop she took. Ben followed her to the great room. She dropped her bags on the sofa and walked to the middle of the room where she began slowly pivoting in a circle, taking everything in. Suddenly, he