Napa is small and everyone notices a new face. At least back home in San Francisco, it’s pretty damn easy to get lost in the crowd when you want to. “I’ve recently made some purchases here in the area.”
“Is that so?” Her lips curl into a knowing smile and I frown, trying my best to figure out who the hell she is.
But I don’t know. Not for lack of trying.
“It is. There are a few more that I’m interested in too. That’s why I’m here. I’m hoping to find out some information.”
She lifts an elegant dark blonde brow and my gaze is drawn to it. So she’s a natural blonde? There’s a rarity. “What sort of information?” she asks carefully.
“Well, I was hoping to run into someone from the Molina family.” I’ve tried to contact many of them already, but they won’t return my calls. “I know they still own a substantial amount of property and businesses in and around the area. And that they’ve slowly sold off a few pieces they felt didn’t fit into their real estate portfolio over the years.” I clamp my lips shut, afraid I might’ve revealed too much. What is it about this woman that makes me . . . forget?
Marina remains quiet for long, tension-heavy seconds. Pressing those sexy-as-hell lips together, she blows out a shuddery breath, her gaze narrowing. “So what you’re saying is that you’re a vulture.”
Cocking my head, I frown. “What did you just call me?”
“You heard me. A vulture.” Her voice drips with contempt. She scrunches her mouth into a sexy pout, her eyes coldly assessing. “You swoop in when someone is vulnerable and desperate for money. Then you take everything from them.”
I never said any such thing, though she’s right. The Molina family is vulnerable and looking to sell off their assets, considering they’re land rich and cash poor. “I wouldn’t call myself a vul—”
“No need to explain yourself.” She holds up a hand, stepping away from me. As if she needs the distance. The seductive smile, the sparkling interest in her pretty blue eyes, it’s all gone. Doused like a flame under water. “I understand your type. It was nice meeting you.”
My type? What the hell is she talking about? “Wait, Marina!” I call her name but she’s already walking away, not once bothering to look back as she exits the building and disappears completely.
Chapter Two
Gage
“YOU DUMBASS, MARINA Knight is a Molina.” Archer smacks the back of my head like he used to do when we were teens, and I let out a wimpy yelp, twisting out of his reach belatedly. Back then, I was usually quick enough to duck and miss that hard-as-hell-smack.
Now I kind of deserved it.
“I only just realized that. And trust me, I feel like a dumbass.” I rubbed the back of my tense neck. Last night while lying in bed, I’d finally connected the dots and figured out who Marina Knight was. The last name Knight should’ve been my first clue. I did a little Google research, which enlightened me. Talk about feeling like a complete idiot.
I need a vacation. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been able to let go and just relax.
We’re at the restaurant inside Archer’s hotel, Hush, having lunch while I tell him what happened at last night’s event. Archer was the one who’d given me the invite in the first place since he hadn’t been able to attend. Too busy making kissy noises at my sister I guess. I don’t remember his excuse.
So I went in his place. Sounds like I really stepped in it too. Something I never, ever do. I’m careful to a fault.
“A little late with that, aren’t you? Her mother is Maribella Molina.”
“I know,” I interrupt, but Archer can’t be stopped.
“She married Scott Knight back in the late seventies and it was considered a monumental merger of two of the most influential, wealthy families in the area. The Molinas and Knights are like royalty in the Napa Valley.” Archer pauses.
That I let the Knight reference slip by shows how distracted Marina made me. I’m always on my game. I can always appreciate a beautiful woman, but when it comes to work, I don’t let them distract me.
So what gives? Why is Marina the exception?
Yeah, Scott Knight might run everything, but all the businesses are still under the Molina name. Still. I’m irritated that I was such a dumbass.
A waitress stops at our table, refilling our water glasses before she flashes a flirtatious smile at Archer. He barely looks at her, offers a cordial thank you before she hurries away.
All the women love him, and he only has eyes for Ivy; thank God. I’d have to kick his ass if I caught him flirting with some random chick.
“Listen, I know who she is. Thanks for the explanation.” All information I already knew. Though I can use it to my advantage. For whatever reason, it’s been impossible to get to Scott Knight. And my usual tactics haven’t been working. I can definitely put Marina into my arsenal.
That is if she’ll ever speak to me again.
“Can’t believe you had the nerve to talk about the Molinas in front of their daughter. You’re a complete dickhead.” Archer shakes his head, chuckling. “To be a fly on the wall . . .”
“Shut up.” I sound vaguely whiny even to my own ears. I remember how she glared at me when I started talking about her family. Holy shit. So much disgust had filled her gaze. How she called me a vulture before fleeing, not once turning back to look at me despite my yelling her name. She’d hurried right out of that room as if the devil himself was chasing her.