“You know I allow the 1Night Stand service to use the hotel for dates. A tabloid writer has infiltrated the company and wants to reveal the true identity of Madame Evangeline. Chit-Chat Weekly has been up my ass trying to get an interview with the sole purpose of finding out who she is. They’ve perpetuated rumors in their magazine I’m the one in charge and it’s actually an escort service.” Jagger tapped a pen on his desk, the only visible sign of his indignation.
“Chit-Chat has been after your family for years. I thought everything had been taken care of after all those testimonials from 1Night Stand clients. They made it clear nothing illegal was going on.” And, of course, his boss wouldn’t be involved in something so unethical.
“My spies have told me otherwise. A writer has applied for a 1Night Stand date under an alias and traveled here undercover with the purpose to bring me down.” Jagger frowned. “This woman, going by Cassidy Kellogg, made one big error. She used her own credit card, under her real name, to pay for the vacation.”
“She doesn’t sound too bright.” Tension settled into his shoulders. What are the odds…? “I knew a Cassidy in college.”
“She probably thought I wouldn’t notice. But when a tabloid writer’s name comes up, particularly from a magazine that’s been a nuisance lately, we notice everything.” Jagger moved behind his desk and produced a folder.
“I’m not following,” he said, confused.
Jagger pushed the file across the desk. “The real Cassidy’s married name is Kellogg and she owns an accounting firm. Her sister, whose credit card paid for the trip, is a columnist for Chit-Chat magazine. Both graduated from Las Vegas University the same year you did.”
Quinn shot up in his chair as it all came together. “What’s the columnist’s name?” Memories of his senior year came crashing over him as thoughts of her, the one woman he’d tried his best to forget, bombarded his mind.
“Carly Kimball,” Jagger said. “She’s pretending to be her sister, to hide where she works. I want you to tail her and go so far as to be her companion for the weekend.”
He clenched his fist to stop it from shaking. Jagger couldn’t know how close he and Carly once were. She was the one who got away, or rather hightailed it out of his room the morning after he lost his virginity to her. He had never heard from her again. Now his past was returning to haunt him big time.
“You’ve grown pale. Are you okay?” Jagger asked.
Quinn wiped a palm over his face. “Must be the cloak and dagger spy work you want me to do. I’m not the best one for this. Why not someone else like….” He snapped his fingers. “Woody! He’ll be more than happy to act as a Jason Bourne or a James Bond.”
Jagger groaned. “I’d find your comment funny if I was in a better mood.”
Quinn fiddled with his tie, trying to ignore the heat spreading over his face.
“All I’m asking you to do is to keep an eye on the woman while I’m away. She’s here until Monday morning. Keep her out of trouble and try and stop her from asking too many questions or bothering the staff.” The corner of Jagger’s mouth lifted and his eyes flicked with amusement. “You can talk about old times and reminisce.”
“Why can’t we just ask her to leave?”
“If only it were that easy. But, I’m afraid if we throw her off the resort grounds, she’ll write an article full of lies, implying we have something to hide. I don’t want the bad press. If she meets someone from her past, meaning you, she’ll be off her game, especially if you stick to her like glue.” Jagger cracked his knuckles and grinned. “She’s quite the attractive lady, so this shouldn’t be too much of a hardship for you.”
He grimaced. The Carly he once knew was one curvy, sexy package full of bubbly energy who’d done a number on his young libido. He fell for her hard during the months leading up to graduation. He’d been so naïve. She had left his heart broken after she used him for her own selfishness.
“This would mean a great deal to me,” Jagger folded his hands on his desk. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
He finally grabbed the folder but didn’t open it. He would reserve the pleasure for when he was alone, where no one could witness his reaction to the picture most assuredly inside.
“She’s going to find it odd I’m her new best friend and won’t let her out of my sight.”
“This is the perfect opportunity to work on your romancing skills. Teach her to snorkel or give her a guided tour of the island. Hell, seduce her if you have to.”