Texas Takedown

Isabelle’s heart squeezed. She was the reason. He’d hired her to work straight out of college. She’d talked him into upgrading his technology and insisted she could put the small institute on the map. And he’d believed in her. If the institute failed, it would be her fault.

“Come home, Isabelle. We need to keep you safe.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll figure something else out.”

“No, Hank. I’m fine. Don’t worry.” She fingered the diamond heart hanging from her neck. Her chest heated at the thought of letting him down. She’d had no idea he’d taken personal financial risk. He’d seen the potential in her. She couldn’t let it be for nothing. “The cops think it’s likely random crime. I’m in good hands. I promise.”

The words were technically true, even if she didn’t believe them herself. Hank had inherited the private research center several years ago. While he didn’t have the academic background to research himself, he had a love for all things ocean. He shared that passion with the community by offering a donation-only aquarium and tide-pool tours. She’d almost refused his offer to hire her since he also was her uncle. But having family in the place she settled down was so appealing.

When he’d hired her, he’d bent over backward to help Isabelle in any way he could to pursue any hypothesis she wanted. The way he’d believed in her endeared Hank to her like a second father.

“Oh. Random crime? Good,” Hank said. “I mean, crime is not good, but that makes me feel better. Are you sure you’re okay? You have enough money to last the week?”

“I’ll be fine.” Somehow she would be, even if that meant living on the remaining granola bars and gummy bears in her suitcase. “Good night, Hank,” she said tenderly. She hung up and lifted her gaze.

Matt stood at the kitchen entrance, holding two mugs, his face ashen.

* * *

She was taken. Figured. Why it bothered him so much, he couldn’t pinpoint. But the love on her face was undeniable. He wouldn’t ask about this Hank guy, though. He had no right and no reason. Isabelle was just a friend and would remain such. She’d be out of his life once again in a week.

He cleared his throat. “I made you some hot chocolate.” He set the mugs on coasters on the coffee table in front of the couch.

Her eyes lit up. “Sounds perfect.” She sat down on the cushion next to him.

“You can take it to the desk if you have more calls.”

“No, I think I’m okay for now. Thank you.” Her face transformed at the sight of the mug. “Whipped cream and...” She tilted her head. “Cinnamon stick?”

He nodded. “It’s a recipe one of our restaurant chefs passed on. You make the cocoa from a dark chocolate bar with cinnamon and sugar to taste.”

“Oh? You have close friends within the hotel?”

The way she said friends made him smile. Was she trying to sniff out if he had a girlfriend? “Yes, I suppose. But I don’t blur the employer-employee relationship.”

Her eyebrows furrowed. “No, of course not. I wasn’t implying—” She leaned forward to pick up the mug.

“But I don’t judge people who do.” He shook his head slightly. Why did that have to slip out?

Her hands froze in midair. She regarded him with a curious look on her face. “I guess it’s different for me. The institute has practically turned into a family business.” She pulled the mug up to her lips and took a tentative sip. “Oh, Matt, this is delicious.” She leaned back into the cushion.

“Family as in future husband, then?” He clamped his jaw shut. Why couldn’t he let this go?

She laughed, and a puff of whipped cream floated to the coffee table. “Sorry.” She leaned forward and used a napkin to wipe it up. “No. Hank is my uncle. I’d do anything for him. I try to separate the family from the business, so I don’t call him uncle, but he’s made the place feel like home.” She twisted to look at him directly. “You know, I’ve always dreamed of getting to settle down in one place without having to move.”

Matt did know. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer would always be, “I don’t care as long as I don’t have to move.” Apparently she found the career to match her brilliance, and he couldn’t help but be happy for her.

She took another long sip. “Hank even invited me to spend Christmas with his extended family. It’s been so nice.” Whipped cream lined the top of her lips. He reached over and brushed it off gently with his thumb. He yanked his arm back at the realization of what he’d done. Her eyes widened and her lips parted, but she said nothing.

“Sorry.” He tried to form a joke about good customer service but decided it was best to move on. He bent forward and grabbed one of the napkins. “Here you go.”

She blotted her lips with it. “I guess when you’ve spent as much time as we have together...”

She never finished her sentence. Matt really wanted to know the rest of her thought, but he didn’t want to focus anymore on his faux pas. He took his own drink of the cocoa, taking care to make sure the whipped cream didn’t leave a mark on him. “Let’s talk about tomorrow.” He needed to change the subject before the heat in his chest made its way to his cheeks. “Can you access the conference schedule online?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Let’s figure out where you might be vulnerable. To avoid moments like today.”

“You’ve done enough, and—”

“Isabelle, humor me.”

Her blue eyes hit him. The intensity in her gaze disarmed him, and he felt sure for half a second that she could see his very thoughts. She smiled, and he fought the urge to ask her a million questions about their years apart, to experience the same connection they’d once shared. Isabelle stood and brought over the laptop, typed an address into the browser and pointed at the screen.

Their shoulders touched as she settled back into the couch cushions. The ends of her hair brushed against him, and he remembered how she used to lean her head on his shoulder and tell him all about her day at school.

This Isabelle sat rigid, though. “So, as you can see, I’ll be inside the conference center for the entirety of the day.”

“Except for lunch.”

“Well, yes, but I wasn’t planning to leave the building.”

Matt pictured the conference area in his mind’s eye. Attendees would likely flock to Rosario’s or the Amaya Deli, but Isabelle had no wallet, so she wouldn’t be joining them. If he offered room service for breakfast and a sack lunch from the restaurant for lunch, he felt sure Isabelle would refuse. But he couldn’t let her starve. Matt made a mental note of what time the conference started to ensure his staff would deliver both before she left.

Transportation was another problem. Taxis were expensive. While he could afford a few out of his personal funds, he kept to a tight budget so he could pay off his student loans faster. But what he didn’t have in cash, he could access through his network of connections. Both times, Isabelle was attacked on foot. So if she had the advantage of wheels, maybe that would be enough, especially if he knew the drivers. He’d start making phone calls as soon as he said good-night.

“So, aside from the employer-employee relationship, do you have friends here?”

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