“I don’t want to interrupt the fun evening,” I say, annoyed, “but do you know anything about one of the guards I talked to the other day being fired?”
“Yeah. I signed the contract termination.” Marlow sounds distracted. “Archer’s order. What did you do?”
“Me?”
“I was there when HR handed him the severance package. The guy looked pissed. Said it was because of you, and it was a setup. I asked his buddies. The word among the guards is to stay away from you.”
He snorts in amusement, but I’m not the least entertained by the news.
“Thanks. Enjoy the night,” I snap and hang up, then text Archer right away.
Me: What the hell, Archer? Are you going to fire every guy I talk to on this island?
I tap my foot on the floor as I wait for a reply.
Archer: In a matter of days that would be almost all men at Ayana. So no.
Smartass.
Me: You know who I’m talking about.
No reply comes for ten minutes.
Seriously. This guy tests my patience.
Me: I’d like an explanation.
The next text comes right away.
Archer: I am at my villa. My explanation might take some time.
Why does it sound like an innuendo?
And why in the hell do I have an image of a naked Archer in my mind when I step out of the Center and into the hot humid night and make my way to Cliff Villa?
23
KAT
I storminto Cliff Villa’s empty living room and halt.
“Bedroom!” The muffled voice comes form another room.
Bedroom, huh?
I walk in, the sight of the bed I spent a night in jerking me back into the past.
Archer is in his closet, wearing only in his jeans. Picking out a shirt. Gray—shocker. Pulls it on—bummer.
“So, the guard,” I say, watching him walk out as I stand with my hands in my pockets.
“I told you not to fraternize with the staff.” He walks to another part of the wall, presses the button, and opens a shoe closet. Really? “They get the wrong idea,” he says, nonchalantly, from the inside. “Next thing you know, they jeopardize your safety.”
He walks out and drops black sneakers onto the floor.
“Oh, please. Like that was even an option.”
“I won’t repeat it again. Don’t play games with others.”