“I’m coming back to Santa Marta. To visit you.”
“Excuse me?”
“I want to come for a visit,” Robyn said, even more emphatically this time. “We haven’t spoken in a while. We need to do some catching up.”
The only catching up Robyn wanted to do was to get to know the billionaire ex-bachelor Erin had ‘stolen’ from under her nose. That was exactly what she was thinking. Erin had no doubt about that.
But Robyn knew too much. And if she felt it would serve her purpose she’d be all too ready to spill those precious beans.
Erin had to think fast. How could she keep Robyn from coming to the island?
“I’m not sure this is a good time.”
“Baloney. Now is a great time. I’ve got to come see you before you get bogged down with marriage. Now let’s see…” There was the sound of paper flipping and then Robyn spoke again. “I’m free all of next week. I’ll come in on Sunday. I’ll e-mail you my flight information so you can pick me up at the airport.”
“Robyn, I don’t think you should book any flights just yet.” Erin’s voice was firm. “I need to discuss this with Dare. What if he’s not ready for visitors?”
“Nonsense. A girl needs to have her friends around her especially at this sensitive time when she’s adjusting to a new life. I have no doubt that you can convince him of that.” There was hardness in her tone and Erin knew immediately. Robyn was issuing a not-so-subtle threat.
So that was how it was. Either give in to Robyn’s ‘self-invitation’ or risk the negative repercussions.
She could not take that risk.
Erin sighed. “Okay, I’ll speak to him tonight but please don’t book any flights till I get back to you.”
After Erin hung up she sat for a moment deep in thought. This was not good. She did not like either one of her options. If she tried to keep Robyn away the girl would stir up trouble for sure. And if she came to the island and, even worse, came to stay at the house, Robyn would find some way to make her life miserable. That was Robyn.
Erin drew a deep breath then stood up. She would talk to Dare and then she would start planning. She would have to keep Robyn as busy as possible so she would have no opportunity to be alone with Dare. There was no telling what Robyn would let slip. Erin could see it already. The coming week was going to be a nightmare.
Chapter 7
“I don’t like it, Dare.” Roger’s voice was grave. “I don’t like it one bit.”
At those words Dare’s sense of foreboding mushroomed into dread. Roger had been his accountant for over ten years and even when he’d undertaken the riskiest business deals not once had the man expressed such doubt.
But this time was different.
“How bad is it?” Dare almost didn’t want to ask but he had to know. He’d never been one to back away from his problems.
“This is your biggest investment so far.”
Dare nodded. “Over two hundred and fifty million.”
Roger pursed his lips. “I hate to say this, Dare, but it may also be your worst.”
The statement was almost a physical blow to Dare. He shoved his chair back and got up. He began to pace the room. Then he stopped and looked over at Roger who was still staring at him, his face morose.
“I don’t understand,” Dare said with a shake of his head. “Bart told me this was the best deal yet. He’s never been wrong before.”
“Even so, you should have sent in the experts to check out the property.”
“We did. Bart and I discussed it and he made all the arrangements.”
“Did he?” Roger’s voice was quiet but the look he gave Dare was pointed.
For a moment Dare stared back at him in silence then he raked his fingers through his hair. “I think he did,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I hope to God he did.”
Roger shook his head. “Couldn’t have. Any of the experts could have told you the structures are faulty and irreparable. Any of them could have prevented this. That’s what they’re there for-”
“Alright, I get the point.” Dare shoved his hands into his pockets. “I screwed up.”
Roger said nothing. He dropped his eyes to peer at the figures on the paper in his hand. Then he looked up. “Did you even see the place?”
“Of course I did. I wouldn’t have bought it sight unseen.”
“And you didn’t see anything to indicate the place was a wreck?”
Dare shrugged. “It looked fine to me. Nothing that some paint wouldn’t have put right. Of course, I was relying on professional feedback and that is what I thought I got with those reports.”