Chapter Two
Everett Drake glanced at his watch for the nth time, his impatience growing with every second spent on the private jet. It had been five long, work-filled days since he'd opened his eyes Sunday morning in the Vegas suite beside Isabel, and he couldn’t wait to see her again.
He'd left the bed long enough to shower, but when he'd returned, Isabel was nowhere to be found. Her purse and suitcase were gone, the clothes he'd seen draped over the chair missing as well. Without so much as a note on the nightstand or athank you, sir.
His college buddy's cousin had since ignored his numerous attempts to contact her, which was yet another reason to travel south. He wasn't used to being dismissed so casually, nor was he used to a woman walking away the way Isabel had.
Following her immediately hadn’t been an option due to a series of prescheduled business meetings that required his presence in New York City, but now the wait was over, and he found himself chasing the thrill of Isabel as much as he had been that night.
The moment the jet touched down on the tarmac, Everett headed toward the door, followed by his personal assistant, Jacob, and Tomas, a bodyguard contracted from Guardian Group who also acted as his driver.
Jacob was a worrier and had managed to convince Everett thatthis timehe really needed to bring Tomas along on the trip. No doubt Jacob felt two pairs of eyes on him were better than none and might keep him out of trouble.
"Sir?"
Everett had paused at the top of the stairs leading to the waiting SUV below. All to take in the sun where it hung low in the sky, promising a sunset full of spectacular cotton-candy-like pastels.
Everett glanced over his shoulder in time to catch Jacob's look of surprise that his billionaire boss had paused long enough to partake in something as uneventful as the sky. Apparently this was the week for surprises.
In the time since his father's wedding in Vegas to wife number eight, Everett had had plenty of opportunity to think about things. That's what brought him to Carolina Cove.
That and Isabel. Her cooperation would be key, after all.
Luggage transferred, the three of them made their way to the SUV for the drive to Carolina Cove. Jacob had arranged for an oceanfront rental located a few blocks from Isabel's tiny apartment above a coffeehouse, and Everett hoped the convenience to her would make things easier during his stay. They had details to discuss. A lot of them.
Forty-five minutes after landing, Tomas crossed the bridge leading to Carolina Cove.
The traffic heading out of Wilmington had been bumper-to-bumper, allowing time for several phone calls and meetings to be conducted. He'd never been to Wilmington before, but he'd heard about the city's rapid growth and movie industry from Isabel, her cousin, and Tomas, who’d interviewed in Wilmington with Guardian Group before being sent to New York for work.
"Mr. Drake? Michael Devoncourt for you."
Everett accepted the cell from Jacob and pressed it to his ear. "Michael."
"Did I hear correctly? Our meeting has been relocated to Carolina Cove? You're in town?"
"Just made it to the island."
"I don't believe it. Everett Drake is actually taking a vacation?"
"You've invited me to visit often enough. I thought I'd finally take you up on it."
Everett chatted with Michael a few minutes longer regarding the upcoming meeting and hung up just as Tomas pulled into a driveway and parked.
Everett exited the vehicle and turned to take in the home and the neighborhood fronting the Atlantic.
The three-story dwellings were a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, but all blocked the sun setting behind them, casting a shadow over the dunes and halfway across the sand.
Pelicans swooped down and skimmed the surface of the Atlantic with agile grace, and in the distance, the pier was lined with fishermen and tourists alike.
From the look of things, Carolina Cove was a far cry from the Hamptons or Martha's Vineyard, but he had to admit the seaside town had its own charm. Despite the dinner-hour traffic and busy boardwalk, the area was relatively quiet and tranquil. So unlike the rush, crush, and busyness that was everything New York City.
Maybe it was because of all the stories Michael and Isabel had told him of this place and the people here. That or the long days and sleepless nights spent working in order to travel to Isabel in person had finally caught up with him and made him nostalgic for the sense of community and roots he'd never really had.
Inside the home, Everett took a quick tour before changing out of his suit into comfortable, casual clothes. Jacob had checked the weather reports before boarding, and Everett's housekeeper had packed an assortment of clothing to accommodate the warmth of the November days as well as the evening chill. Jacob had arranged grocery delivery through the booking agency, so the house was well stocked.
Everett left the two grumbling men behind, determined to see Isabel alone. He didn't feel the need to have a shadow for the short walk to Isabel's apartment, and he certainly didn't want to have to explain Tomas's presence when he lurked in the shadows like a ghost.
In shorts and a lightweight pullover and sporting sunglasses to combat the day's last blinding rays as he headed west, he knew he had the appearance of just another tourist visiting the area.