Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Mayson

Kathy was pretty much what I had expected. Cute. Pushy. Chatty. I don't see why Orion and Raya say she and I are a lot alike. I'm funny. Some even call me clever. But I know how to stay in my lane, and not overstep. Kathy doesn't. I never would've invited a stranger to my brother's house without asking him first. It blew me away and a part of me wanted to set her straight. But that didn't shock me as much as Crystal accepting the offer. Had I lost my mind or was this how things were handled in the States?

Either way, Crystal was going to have a shadow. Me. I'm not sure what it was about her, maybe it was how nervous she was when I asked her simple questions, like what brought her to Tabiq, but something didn't feel right. And I needed answers.

Once I had dropped Kathy off at the house, I headed right back to the resort. I knew it hadn't been an hour, but I wanted to stop and chat with someone who might have some information about who Crystal Blake really was.

When I entered the resort, I walked up to the front desk and asked the receptionist if Bennett Stone was available. She had me take a seat in the lobby while she checked. Five minutes later Bennett showed up.

"Hello Mayson. What brings you here? Is there a problem?" he asked, greeting me.

Not even sure if coming here was a good idea, but I didn't want anyone overhearing our conversation. Not because I was worried about what Crystal would think, but because Orion was already stressed. I didn't need to add to it. "Is there a place we can talk?"

He nodded. "My office."

I followed him and once behind closed doors, and seated, I said, "I need to know if you can get me some information about a woman."

"Is this a national security issue?" he questioned.

Crystal didn't strike me as that kind of threat. Then again, she was gorgeous and that was enough of a distraction to be considered dangerous.

"No. This is...personal," I replied.

"I'm not a private investigator. If you want one, I can recommend a few," he stated.

"I need this to be kept quiet."

Bennett raised a brow. "Give me a few details and I'll decide if I can help you."

You mean, if you'll help me.

He was busy. Hell, he not only handled the security for the resort but seemed to be very involved in Tabiq's overall security. I had asked Orion about it, and he had just said that Bennett had connections and training that no one in Tabiq did.

"Crystal Blake. She's a guest here."

"I know," he replied.

"Why is she here?" I asked.

"Vacation." He glared at me for a moment, then asked, "What do you believe? She isn't?"

"I never said that," I stated firmly. He was putting words in my mouth.

"Your body language did."

Damn. You are good.

" I asked her what brought her here and she didn't answer right away. Like she had to think about the answer," I said.

He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "I can only tell you that there is nothing about her that caused suspicion when she booked her stay. Maybe she was just reluctant to tell you why she is here. I mean, does she know you?" I shook my head. "So, a strange man who she just met in a foreign country might have made her a bit nervous. Cut her some slack. If you see anything concerning besides that then please let me know."

"Kathy invited her to Orion and Raya's. She said yes," I said.

Bennett chuckled. "Okay. Let me make sure I got this right. She accepted an invitation and didn't invite herself?"

"Correct."

"Did you want her to say no?" he asked.

"I guess I was just surprised that she said yes," I explained.

"Have you considered that she accepted the invitation because she didn't know how to decline it? I mean, I know my wife Zoey has done that a few times. Women don't always say what they want, and sometimes say what they think you want them to say."

"Damn it, Bennett. You make it sound as though women are hard to figure out. I did that years ago," I grinned.

He laughed. "So says the single guy. Tell me that once you're married."

"That's never going to happen. I'm happy with my life the way it is," I stated.

"Until you meet the right one. Then, your life will never be the same and you won't even care because the best times of your life are ahead of you."

"God, you sound like Orion. It's like you two are possessed or something. Have you forgotten what it is like to be able to come home to a quiet house and do what you want? Grab a cold beer, turn on the television, and watch without any interruptions. It's wonderful," I sighed.

"Until the day your child is born, and the doctor hands them to you. You look into their eyes, and..."

"I know. Your life changes and you don't care." I got up and said, "Thanks for meeting with me."

"I'm serious, Mayson. If anything changes, call me. I want to know," he said, handing me his business card with his cell phone on it.

I nodded and headed for the door. "You're probably right. Crystal was just being nice to Kathy."

"And if I heard correctly, Kathy is hard to say no to," he stated.

I have no issues saying no to Kathy. Crystal might be another story.

Leaving his office, I headed back to the lobby where I was supposed to meet Crystal. When I got there, I found her sitting by the fireplace. Damn it. How was I going to explain already being here?

She was so deep in thought that she didn't even seem to realize I was in the lobby as well. I cleared my throat, and she turned around.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm a bit ... tired, I guess. Maybe jet lag. I never even noticed you coming in," she said, getting up.

"If you need to sleep, I'm sure Kathy will understand."

She yawned but shook her head. "No. I'd like to join you all."

I had hoped she'd take my suggestion and put my mind at ease. But instead, we were on our way to Orion's.

We were almost there, when I asked, "Not that it's any of my business, but what makes you want to spend your first day here amongst strangers?"

She smiled. "It doesn't really matter where I am. Everyone is a stranger here except for Kathy. And I only know what she told me on the flight over here."

"Then I am glad you're joining us. My brother's house can be a bit...loud. First, there is my grandmother who is probably stuck listening to Kathy's ramblings right now. And Raya's son Joey, who is ten. I think he's missing the States even though he doesn't admit it. And then Raya, who has the patience of a saint, putting up with my brother Orion."

"Sounds like a normal family to me. Where do you fit in with all of that?" she asked.

Not sure I do.

" I give them the space they need, and I'm around when they want me," I said.

She just stared at me. "That's it?"

"I'm a busy man."

I worked but I had plenty of time for other things. But things have been different since Raya came to Tabiq a year ago. I no longer just popped in Orion's house, and helped myself to beer and dinner, even if he wasn't home. I felt more like a guest there now. The doors were locked, and I didn't have a key.

"Can I ask you a question?" I nodded. She asked, "Why are you going?"

"You mean to my brother's?" I asked.

"Yes. There's something in your expression that makes me feel as though you'd rather be somewhere else," she stated.

I needed to watch out for her because she nailed it. "No place specific, but I know they will be talking wedding stuff, and I don't want to hear about flowers or music."

"Maybe it won't be like that tonight. I mean Kathy will be there, and I'm sure she will have a lot to talk about," she said, then winked.

I laughed. "Very true."

"Maybe you and I should come up with a code word," she suggested.

"Code word?" I had no idea what that meant.

"You never had a code word with your brother?" she asked.

"No."

"It's a word that only the two of you know what it means when you say it. Let's see. For us, it can mean, ‘let's escape'." she giggled.

"That's great. How can we have a code word if we can't get a word in?" I laughed.

She bit her bottom lip. "Good point. I know. I will yawn and say jet lag."

"What am I supposed to do if I want to leave?" I asked. "Aren't we supposed to have the same code word?"

"Oh yeah. I guess I am too tired to think of one," she said.

"Jet lag?" I asked. "Because it's not too late to change your mind."

She yawned and said, "You came all the way to get me. And I don't want you to miss out on the gathering."

"They won't miss me. As you said, Kathy will keep them entertained. How about I bring you back to the resort and you can sleep?"

She nodded, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. "That sounds...perfect."

No. Perfect would be us skipping the gathering and spending the time together so I can figure out who Crystal Blake is.