Read Online Love Unlocked by Libby Waterford - Free Book Online Page A

and went with the waves.
    When they were halfway to the jutting rocks that marked the end of Chelsea Cove, he broke the silence.
    “Are you sure our shoes will be safe?”
    “If they aren’t, I’ll buy you a new pair.”
    “Yes, you will. Those are vintage Gucci.”
    “Isn’t walking barefoot so much nicer?” She’d told him to leave his shoes behind at the stairs they’d used to access the beach. He’d only agreed because he didn’t want to get sand in his expensive Italian loafers.
    “I suppose. I’m going to be busy for a few days, but I’ll be in touch early next week so we can finalize our plans.”
    She sighed. “I hate that we have to do this at all.”
    “I know. We’re backed into a corner. At least we’re in it together. We’ll do this, Deacon will be off our backs, and you can go back to playing house and atoning for your sins while I carry on, alone.”
    His voice was light, but there was a grain of truth behind his complaint.
    She cuffed him on the arm, laughing a little. “I know you don’t completely understand my reasons for leaving, John, but I appreciate you trying. Deacon’s got it in for you, too. I won’t let you down on this.”
    “Evie darling—” John’s wheedling tone set off alarm bells in Eve’s brain. “—if we’re going to pull this off, an extra pair of hands might be useful.”
    “Sadly, my network is a little thin on this side of the world. Someone like Ivan would be perfect. I’m fairly sure he’s ensconced with his sugar mama in Ibiza for the season.”
    “I was actually thinking of Hudson.”
    “Hudson Cleary?” The concept didn’t compute.
    “What other Hudsons do you know?”
    “But he’s a civilian. No, absolutely not, no. He’d be a liability. He’s probably a boy scout and would call the cops or something. No.” The idea of Hudson working the job with them was laughable at best.
    John grinned. “He strikes me as a very reliable fellow, and he’s got the hots for you. Don’t tell me he wouldn’t accompany you on a romantic weekend away, if you promised to make it worth his while.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
    Eve laughed despite herself. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
    “You don’t have to tell him why, or the entire plan. The less he knows, the better. He can be your cover.”
    “Lie to him?” It would mean doing the one thing he’d asked her never to do.
    “Call it omitting certain damaging details.”
    “Right.”
    “So you’ll think about it,” John persisted.
    “No, I will not think about it. That’s not an option.”
    “Fine. You’re the boss.”
    “Fine. Where are you going, anyway?” She was anxious imagining her turning Hudson into some kind of patsy. Better to focus on John.
    “Don’t you worry about that. Some of us still have to work, you know.”
    She pushed down the feelings of guilt that had been rising through this entire conversation. She was sick of feeling guilty no matter what path she took. She thought of the manila envelope she still hadn’t opened. Perhaps when this mess was cleared up, she’d be able to take that step.
    “Let’s go make sure your shoes haven’t been ravaged by seagulls.”
    The look on John’s face was priceless.
     
    ***
     
    A few hours later, Eve stood on her porch, looking down the road long after the taxi bearing John had driven out of sight. It would have been heaven to curl up with a book and a whisky, and then go to sleep and not wake until her life made a little sense.
    But hard to brood when she had three boisterous workers making a racket as they finished the deck. They were working at full tilt to get the construction finished before the weekend.
    Since she couldn’t mope around and feel sorry for herself, she should get something done. She hadn’t so much as glanced at her collection since the night she and Hudson had examined it together. With painstaking care, she finished unwrapping each precious painting, then asked the foreman to do her a favor