Hot SEAL, Decoy Bride by Delilah Devlin

Author:Delilah Devlin [Devlin, Delilah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Delilah Devlin

Chapter 8

Dinner progressed with Stefan and Eliana musing over who might be responsible for the attack. Cass toyed with her food, thinking about how close she’d been to being taken—and how close to the end of this assignment she was drawing. The thought of leaving was damn depressing.

Remy kept a paper pad beside his plate and took notes. “Ransom seems the most likely motive, seeing as how your father’s not involved in any unsavory businesses.” He wrinkled his nose before glancing Eliana’s way. “We checked him out.”

Eliana nodded. “Yes, my father didn’t make his money through illegal means. He has competitors, of course, but over time, most have found ways to cooperate so they find success together. He’s very open to partnerships.”

“Like the one he has with Vasili’s family,” Stefan said, bringing up his name for the first time that evening.

Eliana’s expression shuttered. “Yes, like his partnership with Vasili.”

“So, this marriage,” Stacia said. “I don’t want to be impolite—”

“It’s a merger,” Eliana said, her words sounding crisp. “A business deal, yes.” Her gaze flitted to Stacia. “But please, don’t say that in your article.”

“Of course not,” Stacia said with a tiny frown.

Cass sighed. The closer to the wedding she got, the more Eliana seemed to be on edge. Cass didn’t know how she’d feel if she knew she was marrying to become a brood mare for some older man.

“So, not likely a competitor,” Justin said, steering the conversation away. “And likely someone from this city, seeing as they knew the streets well enough to get away so quickly.”

“Or had a garage near the French Quarter to ditch the limo,” Trigger said.

“Yeah, we have an APB out on the vehicle, but no one’s spotted it yet,” Remy said.

“So, a local.” Trigger glanced at Remy. “Any likely suspects?”

Remy shrugged. “We have the usual street gangs, cartel presence, some wannabe mobsters. Could be any of them. The attack didn’t take a lot of organization, just eyes and ears to notify them when Cass was spotted with Trigger. Anyone could have done that. By the fact they were thwarted so easily, I’m thinking there wasn’t a lot of planning. It might even have simply been a crime of opportunity.” He glanced at Trigger and Cass who sat next together. “I texted the chief, and they’re already canvassing the Market. We’ve brought in a few of the vendors who have rap sheets—basically anyone who might have been agreeable to making a phone call if you were seen. After that article in the Times, they know Eliana’s here and ripe for the plucking.”

Justin rubbed a hand over his face. “If it was a crime of opportunity, we may never figure this out. However, the investigation isn’t my priority. Eliana’s safety is. We just need to keep on task for the next few days.”

All the team members nodded.

Gabe cleared his voice. “Stefan and I will get together after dinner and discuss the shifts, who will be teamed up for a roving patrol. Levi and I will continue our shifts to cover the monitors.

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