Read Online Match Play by Merline Lovelace - Free Book Online Page B

whispered. “Who is we?”
    Dayna wasn’t about to mention the U.S. government until she got confirmation of Wu’s intentions.
    â€œPeople who want to help you and your father establish residence in the United States…if that’s your desire.”
    â€œYes.”
    The whisper was soft and desperate.
    â€œWe can go tonight,” Dayna murmured, testing the waters. “I’ll arrange for you and your father to…”
    â€œNo, no! Cannot go until last day of tournament. After I win, there will be much demand for interviews, many chances to get away from my watchers.”
    Dayna refrained from suggesting Wu might not win the tournament.
    â€œYou must talk to father,” Kim Li whispered. “Must tell him plan.”
    â€œMy partner will contact your father. He’ll identify himself by the code name Hawk. Together, we’ll make sure both you and your father know the plan before we put it into operation.”
    Kim Li angled just enough to take in Luke’s broad shoulders, still blocking the view of those in the front of the shop.
    â€œHe is your partner?”
    â€œNo. He’s window dressing.” Seeing more explanation was required, Dayna elaborated. “He’s a diversion. I’m using him to deflect attention from my business with you.”
    A speculative gleam lit the girl’s eyes. “Your romance not real?”
    Oh, Lord! The last thing this op needed was for the target to start sniffing around Luke with the idea of adding him to her trophy case.
    â€œIt’s real,” Dayna lied, sinking further into the quagmire that was Luke Harper.
    Kim Li pouted but seemed to accept that. “When we speak again?”
    â€œAfter the qualifying rounds. I’ll try to arrange it so we play together in the finals.”
    â€œIf you make cut.”
    Dayna’s back teeth ground together. First Lightning, then Mackenzie. Now this obnoxious teen.
    â€œI’ll make the cut.”
    Â 
    Like the first qualifying round, the second required intense concentration.
    There was no wind, thank God, only an early-morning haze that soon burned off. The sun came out midway through the competition, sparkling on the bay and warming the air so much that Dayna removed the jacket of her wind suit.
    To her fierce satisfaction, she posted the fourth lowest score of the day. Fans and sportscasters alike swarmed her when she walked off the eighteenth green. After a wave of clamorous congratulations, they gave ground to the man who shouldered his way through the crowd.
    In jeans, a blue oxford shirt and his leather bomber jacket, Luke Harper carried himself with the confidence that marked him as an officer and leader of men.
    â€œGreat round, Puddles.”
    It was bad enough that every fuzzy-coated microphone extended over the heads of the crowd picked up his comment. Luke’s wicked grin compounded the felony. Dayna could see he wasn’t the least bit sorry about broadcasting the ridiculous nickname to the entire world.
    â€œI’ll get you for that,” she murmured as she tipped her head for their second kiss.
    The first had taken her by surprise. Given their decision to play to the cameras, she should have been prepared for this one. Should being the operative word. The sparks it ignited were as unexpected as they were disconcerting.
    Her mind made instant excuses for her body’s eager reaction. She was just jazzed from the terrific round. Still thrumming with the thrill of victory. Her pumped-up endorphins magnified the heat generated by the kiss and fired it into a bright blaze.
    Despite the determined rationalization, it took a concentrated effort of will to break the contact and stand in the circle of Luke’s arm while she responded to the flurry of questions. One query came zinging her way above the heads of the crowd.
    â€œWhat do you and Captain Harper have planned during the break between rounds?”
    Tournament officials