"Dekes is a cocky bastard too," Finn added. "Apparently, he's having a press conference late this afternoon out on the south lawn of his estate to formally announce the construction of the casino - even though he doesn't have the last piece of land that he needs to start breaking ground. Here's another interesting tidbit: the press conference was supposed to take place on the patio around the pool at the Blue Sands hotel, but the location was changed due to some unforeseen circumstances. "
I snorted. "You mean the four bodies I left floating in the water there. "
Finn just grinned at me.
"He's holding a press conference? Really?" I asked. "Is that all that bad guys know how to do? Hold press conferences and parties?"
"Why do you say that?" Bria asked.
"Do you know how many people that I've killed before, during, and after press conferences? It's laughable, really. You basically stand up in front of everyone and brag about how rich and powerful you are. It's like an open invitation to an assassin like me. Come on down, take a free shot at me, and have a drink while you're at it. I don't imagine Dekes's event will be any different. The only question is how easy it will be to get in. Right, Finn?"
He shot me a grumpy look. "Despite what you think, I'm not a magician, you know. I can't just conjure up invitations out of thin air, especially since we're not in Ashland anymore. "
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Okay, okay," Finn grumbled. "So I might have started working on getting us invites as soon as I found out about the press conference. I don't think it will be too hard, since Dekes has basically invited everyone who's anyone on the island. I actually do business with some folks who are friendly with Dekes, so the four of us can get in that way. Friends of a friend and whatnot. "
"No," I sa
id. "The three of you can get in that way. I'm thinking about taking another approach. Just in case things get a little messy with Dekes. "
"And what would that be?" Owen asked.
I smiled at him. "The great thing about throwing a press conference to announce your new multimillion-dollar casino is that you have to actually invite the press. The bad guys have to have someone to crow to about their accomplishments. So I'll go in as a reporter. That should be an easy, plausible way to get a few minutes alone with Dekes. You can create some quick credentials for me, can't you, Finn?"
"Sure," Finn grumbled again. "I might as well wave my magic wand and do that too while I'm at it. "
"Oh, quit bitching," I said. "You know you love little challenges like this. Schmoozing invitations and creating fake documents gets your blood pumping and makes you feel all clever and larcenous. "
He shot me a sour look.
"Anyway, I think it's a good plan," I said.
Owen reached over and took my hand in his. "But what about - "
He stopped in midsentence. He blinked for a few seconds before his violet eyes narrowed, his mouth flattened out into a hard, thin line, and his hand tightened on mine. I turned to see what he was glaring at - and spotted Donovan Caine standing in the door of the restaurant.
Chapter 11
"What the hell is he doing here?" Owen asked in a flat voice.
Finn leaned to one side so he could see what Owen was looking at. His eyes widened when he caught sight of the detective, and he sent me a questioning glance, which I ignored, since I was focused on Owen right now.
"He's Callie's fiance," I replied in a low tone. "He showed up here at the restaurant last night after I dealt with the two guys who were threatening her. "
"And you just forgot to mention that before now?" Owen asked, his eyes narrowed in thought.
I shifted on my side of the booth. I couldn't exactly tell Owen that I didn't know what to make of Donovan being back in my life any more than he did. The detective noticed Owen glaring at him and did a double take as well, as surprised by his appearance as Owen had been by his. The two men stared at each other for several seconds before Donovan squared his shoulders and headed in our direction.
"Incoming," Finn muttered, letting out a low whistle and then a crashing sound under his breath, like a bomb was about to drop down and explode on our heads.
I kicked him under the table, trying to get him to shut the hell up. This was going to be bad enough without him making wisecracks. Finn winced, gave me a dirty look, and leaned down to massage his bruised shin.
Donovan stepped up to the booth. He nodded at Bria and Finn, then turned to look at me and finally Owen.
"Owen. "
"Donovan. "