Tempest - Kris Michaels Page 0,37

I wouldn't put it past her."

"When you are in your room, you'll need to be aware the device is active."

"As in transmitting or recording?"

"Recording only. The device is sound activated to save battery and space in the small device which collects the audio files. They won't get more than a couple hours on a device of this size.”

Rationally she knew her mother monitored her actions. Actually seeing the extent Regina went to track her lanced her with an ice-cold spear to the heart. She took in the information, hating every corroborating shred of evidence. She closed her eyes and drew several deep breaths before she was ready to speak. “So, when do you want me to give you that data?"

"How about I take you back to your stateroom, and we'll both get a shower and change then we can meet in the lounge and work through what you have."

"What about the crew?" She glanced up at the bridge.

"They work with me."

"At Guardian."

"Yes."

"I take it Guardian has been briefed and has approved of your plan."

"We're here. We wouldn't be if they hadn't." Her eyes searched the upper floor of the yacht. He put his hand on her ankle and she jumped. "Pilar, do you trust me?"

She stared at him for several long seconds. "Like I've never trusted anyone in my life." She deflated in front of him. "I'm worried. I'm violating my oath by giving you this information. Regina will go to jail. I don't doubt it for a second as long as you can substantiate the information by an independent investigation, because anything I give you can't be used in a court of law."

He rubbed her shin with his hand. Her soft skin against his hardened hands held his attention as he spoke. "And what if she's involved with more than you know?"

"Then she pays for those sins, too. Look, the reason I'm giving you this information is because I know she's involved in more. She's opened the window, but I can only see pieces of information which are horrendous by themselves through the cracks of the blinds. My small glimpses of her acts will undoubtedly lead to other crimes." Pilar shook her head. "She's guilty of things I can't let myself say. I know what I'm doing, Luke. I'm condemning the woman who gave birth to me to jail. I don't want to do it. I want to pretend it isn't happening, but I can't. I... can't." Tears formed in her eyes, but she raised her chin and stared at him. "She deserves to be held accountable for her actions."

He squeezed her leg. "Then let's get cleaned up and get to work."

Chapter 11

Pilar leaned against Luke's strong arm as he guided her to her stateroom. "Remember, anything you say once the door is open will be recorded. I'm right next door. When you're finished you can either come through the door which connects the two rooms or go through this door." He pointed to the door immediately adjacent to hers. "And lose the flip flops. Barefoot is better. I'll re-tape your toe when you're done."

He leaned down and gave her a platonic kiss on the forehead before opening her door. The kiss halted anything she wanted to say. Things like 'You do realize I'm over thirty, not thirteen, right?' or maybe 'Am I crazy for wanting you?' She snorted as she hobbled into the room and shut the door behind herself.

Of course, she was crazy for wanting the man. Look at him! He was a fucking bronze god and she was... she lifted her arms and looked down at herself. A sticky, wine-stained, slightly overweight, sexually frustrated, thirty-year-old puppet about to cut the strings. She glanced down at her suitcase. What in the hell did she have to offer someone like Luke? Someone who worked for Guardian.

She stopped and shifted her attention to the adjoining door. What exactly did he do for Guardian? Man, she was seriously off her game. She sat down on the navy-blue comforter and stared at the door. What did he do for Guardian? Why exactly had he come back? It wasn't because he was interested in her. The peck on the lips and the brush-off kiss to the forehead just now sealed that door. She'd told him she wasn't holding him to his oath to come help her get away from her mother. He could have walked away, but he hadn't. Why? What did he want?

She straightened as the answer came to her. Her