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Chapter 20
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Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 21
Once Leo made sure Ruby was safely in the cabin below - he prayed that she listened to him and stayed down there - he returned to Xavier's side and looked out at the sea behind them.The boat tailing them was undeniably closer. They still had quite a lead, but that might not last forever. Xavier was a decent helmsman, and Leo had also spent a fair share of time on sailing vessels, but there were a lot of variables at play. They'd been able to catch up with Nash and his team yesterday, but a lot of that was luck - and the fact that Nash hadn't expected any hot pursuit. If their rivals had managed to get a faster boat..."What do you think - should we break toward the open sea?" Xavier asked. "Or take our chances by putting in at the next harbor and trying to escape them on land?""Honestly, I have no idea." Leo glanced toward the ladder that led down into the cabin. "Do you think they're after Ruby? Or us?""Both, most likely," Xavier replied. He was looking forward, guiding their b
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 22
Ruby had been told not to come up on deck for any reason, but she'd never been good at following directions. Once it had become obvious that the people chasing them were friends of Leo and Xavier - she'd heard every word of the conversation they'd been shouting back and forth - she'd managed to relax. At least as much as she could relax with the memory of Leo's kiss on her lips. Her face still felt flushed, and the heat of him lingered on her mouth. The way he'd grabbed her like that, the way his lips had fallen on hers with such hunger, even desperation...When she started to hear words like "treasure" and "solid lead" mentioned in the shouting match above, her interest had been piqued again. This was much better than drugs or smuggling. Leo was a treasure hunter! That had to be the sexiest, most exciting profession she'd ever heard of. And a whole lot of things were starting to make sense.Leo was gaping at her like he was actually shocked that his secret was out - but what had he
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 23
In sight of Willemstad, CuraçaoThey'd made good time to Willemstad, Curaçao, and Leo was pissed.He was pissed at the wind, which had been strong and steady the whole way across the open water. He was pissed at the boat, for being so inconveniently fast. He was pissed at a lot of things, really, and none of his complaints were logical. These last few days of sailing across the Caribbean with Xavier and Ruby had gone by too fast.It didn't help that he'd often caught Xavier grinning at him. Right now, his teammate looked like he was on the verge of laughter."Try not to break something, buddy," Xavier said. "Or hurt yourself. I'll need your help when we reach the marina."Leo muttered something noncommittal and turned back toward the water. Behind them, their teammates' boat was easily staying in their wake. Ahead of them, Willemstad, Curaçao had come into view. Just above the eastern horizon, the morning sun shone on them as cheerful as could be.He hated that fucking cheerful s
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 24
Kissing Leo was like an explosion. It was the release of a week's worth of tension, a rush of sensations she wasn't aware she could feel.He'd said he didn't want to take advantage of her, but he shouldn't have worried. Right now, this was exactly what she wanted. What she needed.Her fingers tangled in his long hair, and her lips pressed against his with all of the desire in her heart. She'd felt his body against hers before, several times, but that was nothing next to what it felt like to be pressed against him now, clinging to each other in sheer hunger, trying to get closer to each other than humanly possible.She heard a soft moan and realized it was her. One of his hands was cupping the back of her neck, the other sliding down her body, and it felt so good to be held by him that she couldn't stand it.This past week on the boat had been agonizing. Every time he'd touched her during one of their lessons, every time he'd brushed against her in passing, or when showing her how t
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 25
Leo took the long way back to the marina.It gave him time to think. Time to feel like himself again.Jackson had called him while Ruby was dozing. He'd replied with a text, trying not to wake her, explaining where he was and that he'd be back soon.He'd considered just sneaking out of the guest house. Leaving Ruby while she was peacefully asleep. But that felt like a scumbag thing to do, and he was never a scumbag with women. Always a lover.It happens to the best of us, he thought. Losing our minds over a set of pretty eyes. Xavier had been right when he'd brought up Jackson and Charlie - Leo had always been supportive of their relationship. But things were different in his own situation. There were certain things a man could control and certain things he couldn't. He trusted Jackson to take care of Charlie. But given his own past, he didn't trust himself with Ruby.He'd had his share of flirtations and lovers while on missions for Roth, but there had never been any expectations
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 26
Despite the rollercoaster of emotions she'd been experiencing, Ruby was feeling surprisingly optimistic when she finally set off on her sightseeing adventures around Willemstad. She'd called all the appropriate people, assured everyone that she was alive and well, and though her mom had been hysterical and the cruise line was threatening to slap her with some additional fees for the expenses they'd incurred when she went missing, she at least got assurances that the Navy wouldn't hunt her down and drag her back to America. This trip might completely drain her meager savings account, but as far as she was concerned, it was worth it.She'd also alerted the local authorities in both the Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic about Cyrus Nash and his men, but she had no idea whether or not they'd be able to find them, let alone arrest them. Nash and his crew were obviously experienced criminals, and it was best to be on her guard.Over the next few days after Leo's departure, she vi
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 27
Despite his best efforts, Leo couldn't stop thinking about Ruby.He'd had plenty to distract him, too. He and the others had spent the last several days exploring Curaçao, visiting every site on the island they thought might have even possibly interested Vincent Rinaldi. They'd even hired a local tour guide - a small, talkative woman named Delilah - to take them around the island, and they'd asked her every question they could think of without raising suspicions: Where do the rich tourists usually go or stay? Are there any "hidden" spots on the island where a traveler with money to spare might arrange for a more hands-on experience, away from the crowds? Charlie had suggested they ask about any especially romantic spots, too, since they were looking for the place he'd first declared his love for Alyssa. Delilah had happily driven them to every beach and romantic overlook she could think of - and a few less-than-romantic places, too - but nothing turned up any clue. Or anything even cl
Claiming His Treasure series Chapter 28
Ruby woke to the sounds of men arguing. And to the feeling that she was going to hurl.Her head hurt, too. Groaning, she attempted to roll over onto her side. And that's when she realized her hands were tied together behind her back. Panic seized her, and her eyes flew open.She was on a boat. Locked in a cramped bedroom, just like before. Her memory came back in pieces - Willemstad. A man in a hat. Running. The same gravelly voiced man who'd kidnapped her the first time had done it again, and now she was on Cyrus Nash's boat, in even worse trouble than before."I told you, there was nothing there!" someone was saying out in the main part of the cabin. "I searched the whole damn place. I tell you, she hid them somewhere. Or sold them.""I swear, Bruce, if she's given them to Roth's boys, Nash'll make sure you never see a penny of your share." She'd know Gravelly Voice anywhere."But there was nothing there!""This isn't the first time you've dropped the ball. You haven't been pul
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