free, she gave him an almost longing look, as if she didn’t want to walk away from him. “I really need to go.”
“I understand.” He tilted his chin up at her, grateful that she hadn’t asked more about him. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to tell a layperson exactly who he was. That wasn’t smart for her, or for the job he was on.
He watched her go up the stairs and into the massive lodge. A few seconds later, he followed her and started exploring the main part of the lodge more. The restaurants were all top notch, and he enjoyed a late breakfast slash early lunch. The spa director was more than happy to give him a complete tour and list of all of their therapeutic treatments.
As he walked back into the main area shortly before noon, he caught a glimpse of long, blond hair and a pink polka-dotted dress. Fading back behind a large potted plant, he settled in to wait. Once he got Antonio’s room number and a little information, he’d simply wait until the man vacated his room, and then he’d bug it with video and audio feeds. After that was done, Devon could monitor what Antonio said and did while in his room and track him when he left through his phone, iPad, or computer. Soon Devon would have the guy nailed to the wall and in prison. Then he’d move on.
He heard Iris’s lilting voice. It would be a letdown to walk away from her. He pushed that away. It was unrealistic, uncharacteristic, and not something he had time for. Maybe once he had his fifty million, he’d come back here. By that time, Miss Chadwick would probably be married and have half a dozen children of her own. The churning of his gut worsened as Antonio Jasper strutted in like he was king and kissed Iris on both cheeks. Devon hated the disgusting drug dealer for the lives he ruined to make himself wealthy. Even more, he hated the thought of the man touching Iris.
Devon was forced to watch as the man pretended to be charming and Iris lapped up his attention. He followed them cautiously through their tour of the property, growing more and more disgusted with their flirtations. There were bodyguards trailing Antonio as well. Devon stayed out of the bodyguards’ line of sight, while they avoided letting Iris see them. Interesting that Antonio wanted to appear as if he were alone.
Devon didn’t know that he could warn Iris away without jeopardizing his mission. He couldn’t reveal who he was or what his purpose was, but somehow, he had to keep her from falling for this loser’s charms, or else she’d end up shared with Antonio’s friends before being sold off. Such a fate was a strong possibility with any woman who got close to Antonio Jasper. Sadly, it appeared Iris was as innocent, fresh, and naïve as he’d thought earlier. From the leering glint in Antonio’s eyes, Devon feared he knew it too.
Chapter Three
Grams had been right about one thing: the Italian millionaire was too charming. He had Iris laughing and blushing and agreeing to meet him for dinner before she knew what was happening. The entire time, though, the dapper, gorgeous Chris Wilson lingered in her mind’s eye. Yes, Antonio was captivating, crazy rich, and handsome with his dark, sparkling eyes, smooth, dark skin, and strong build, but it was the blue-eyed guy she’d bantered with this morning who she couldn’t stop thinking about.
She finally settled Antonio in his penthouse suite. She wondered why one man wanted a three-bedroom penthouse, but maybe when you were that wealthy, you just did it because you could. She also wondered what he would do for a week in the mountains. He hadn’t expressed interest in any of the outdoor activities. As far as she knew, his only plans involved dinner with her. Flattering, but he would probably be very bored here.
She walked along the main floor corridor toward her office. A shadow darted out of a doorway. She stepped back in surprise, and her heartbeat picked up. When she recognized the exquisite face of the man she’d been daydreaming about all day, she relaxed and smiled. “Chris.”
He wasn’t smiling at her, though, quite the contrary. His brow furrowed, and his blue eyes glinted at her. “I need to speak to you,” he said in an almost growl.
“Oh … sure.” She gestured down the hall to her office.