The Wedding Party Collection. Кейт Хьюит
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slid low in the sky by the time they arrived back at the hotel. Lena had stiffened up during the drive and Trig watched her take her time getting out of the car. He didn’t miss a wince. Neither did the driver.
‘We have a heated bathing pool that is very relaxing,’ the driver told them as he escorted them to the front of the house.
‘You mean the one in the room?’ asked Lena.
‘In addition to the one in the room.’
‘I love Turkey,’ murmured Lena.
‘Also an in-house masseuse.’
‘Perfect. What’s the dress code for this bathing pool?’
‘Swimwear is, of course, required. But the bathing caps need not be worn. The hair need not need be covered.’
‘That’s a requirement in some places?’
‘In some places it is so. For cultural reasons, you understand. The bathing in such establishments is also segregated. But not here.’ The driver glanced at Trig. ‘Shall I arrange beverages for two out by the pool?’
‘Not for me. I have some calls to make,’ said Trig. ‘But Lena might like something.’
‘What would you suggest?’ Lena asked the driver.
‘For the thirsty I might suggest susurluk ayrani. It is a chilled drink made from yoghurt and garnished with mint. Very refreshing.’
‘I would like to feel refreshed,’ said Lena.
‘You want me to bring your swimmers out to the pool?’ Trig had guilt now. Lots and lots of guilt on account of all the walking he’d encouraged Lena to do today.
‘No, I’ll change in the room. I want to do it in front of the mirror next to the Tinkerbell lamp, just in case the mirror tells me I’m the fairest of them all.’
‘I wouldn’t discount it.’
‘And I wouldn’t want to miss it. You don’t mind me taking a dip and leaving you to your own devices for a while?’ she asked.
‘Not at all. Take your time. Relax.’
‘You know what would make that sentence perfect? If you added, “I’ll order dinner for us and I’ll get them to set it up in our little courtyard garden.”’
‘You don’t want to go back into Bodrum?’
‘I really don’t want to go back into Bodrum. We could dine and dance here. You could put me straight to bed when I fall asleep with my head on your shoulder, having mistaken you for a gently swaying mountain.’
‘Tempting.’
‘I knew you’d see it my way.’
‘Go and bathe. I’ll have a menu sent to you out by the pool. You do realise that I’m indulging you completely?’
‘You’re a good man.’
‘I’ll see what the mirror says.’ He was pretty sure the mirror would call him a fool.
Lena headed towards the suite. Trig headed back out through those massive entrance doors and decided to investigate the hotel perimeter. He was nosey that way, and he needed privacy in order to make a call.
He pulled out Damon’s phone and checked for messages. From Jared. From Damon. From anyone.
Nothing.
He put a call through to Damon next.
‘I’m in Bodrum in a concubine’s lair overlooking the castle of St Peter,’ he said, when Damon picked up.
‘Amen,’ said Damon.
‘That all you got?’
‘I can always put Ruby on. She might have more.’
‘Do that.’
‘No. How’s Lena?’
‘She still thinks we’re on our honeymoon.’
‘Then why aren’t you on a plane?’
‘Because I’m following a lead on Jared. There’s a mega yacht hereabouts called the Jericho3. I need to know more about it. Ownership. Specs. Whatever you can find within the next eight hours.’
‘You thinking of paying it a visit?’
‘No. I’m thinking that would be suicide. My best hope is that Jared’s worked his way onto it. Worst-case scenario—he’s a prisoner on it.’
‘How are you going to find out which?’
‘Hopefully, Jared’s going to show himself.’
‘Assuming he can.’
‘Yeah,’ muttered Trig. ‘Let’s assume that for now.’
‘Are you letting Lena in on any of this?’
‘I’m about to.’
‘Is that wise? She’s not exactly operational.’
‘I can protect her. She’s only after a glimpse of Jared. Proof that he’s alive. We’ll keep our distance.’
‘Does she remember wanting to see him?’
‘She will. And when she does, she’ll have already seen him and won’t feel inclined to go tearing after Jared again. Or would you rather I brought her home and we end up back here in another week’s time doing exactly the same thing?’
Damon sighed.
‘It’s under control. I’ll bring her home as soon as she’s seen Jared. How soon can you and Ruby get to the beach house?’
‘About that. Are you sure you’re going to need us there?’
‘Your sister thinks I married her. You want me to repeat that?’
‘No, I got it.’ Damon’s voice was droll, very droll.
‘I would love to marry Lena, I would. But I haven’t married her yet and she is going to have my balls when she finds out. She’s going to need someone to scream at. That would be me. Then she’s going to need someone to argue with some more, once she’s calmed down. That would be you. And then someone needs to argue my case. That’s where Ruby comes in.’
‘Does Ruby know that she’s arguing your case?’
‘Not yet. Put her on.’
‘No can do. Ruby’s asleep and I’m not waking her up. She’s sleeping for three.’
‘What?’
‘Twins.’
‘God help us.’
‘Your congratulations are most heartily accepted.’
‘Congratulations,’ Trig said quickly. ‘I mean...yeah. Congratulations. Twice.’
Did it make him a bad person that his first thought was not for Ruby and Damon’s happiness but that he was never going to have that? That Lena was never going to know babies the way Ruby would know them. ‘Is everything okay? With Ruby and the babies?’
‘Everything’s good. There’s no real reason Ruby can’t travel. I’m just...’
‘I get it.’ He got it.
‘Lena can come to Hong Kong. You can both come, and we’ll do the not-exactly-married debrief here.’
‘Sold.’ What else could he say? The only reason he’d chosen Damon’s beach house as the debrief venue in the first place was because Lena had spent so much time there and the surroundings would be familiar. They could work around that. Lena’s father lived in Hong Kong. He had a penthouse there. Maybe that would count as home ground too.
‘Better get you that information,’