Web of Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 11) Page 3

  Brad leaned down to get a closer look at the stain. “Seriously, dude. What happened?”

  “A spilled cocktail. I need a new shirt.”

  “I thought you were a whiskey man,” Brad said.

  “I am. It was someone else’s drink. Listen, I’m sorry that I need to duck out.”

  “It’s fine,” Brad assured him. “Hell, the cocktail party is almost over anyway. Dinner is in half an hour. You won’t miss much.”

  Ace made his apologies again and then hurried out of the party and back to his house. His night out hadn’t exactly turned out as he’d planned, but then life always had curveballs. If he wasn’t in the mood to be sociable, perhaps he needed to burn off steam a completely different way.

  A run on the beach sounded like the answer.

  The cocktail party was breaking up and Cassie made her way over to Brad and Alicia to thank them before heading back to her room. Since spilling her drink on that handsome man, she hadn’t been having the best time at the party. She still cringed thinking about the huge stain on his shirt. He’d been incredibly nice about it though, not blaming her in the least. Sadly, she was aware of her own klutziness. Her family had been reminding her of it for years, after all.

  “Thank you for inviting me. It was a lovely party,” Cassie said to Alicia when it was her turn to speak to them on the way out of the bar.

  Alicia threw her arms around Cassie for a hug. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Did you try one of the love cocktails?”

  Shit. It was time for Cassie to fess up.

  “Sort of. I ordered a Kir Royale and had taken a sip when I accidentally ran into a man on the back patio. I spilled it all over his shirt. I felt terrible about it. I offered to pay for it but he kept saying it was fine and it was really his fault.”

  Alicia’s eyes grew wide and then her smile widened. “You’re the one that spilled a drink on Ace? I had no idea it was you. He didn’t say who it was.”

  “Wait…you know him?”

  It wasn’t the brightest question Cassie had ever asked. Of course, Alicia would know him. The only reason he’d be at the cocktail party was because he was a wedding guest.

  “Of course, that was Ace Anderson. He and his family own this resort. And a whole bunch of other ones, too. Plus some land. And cattle. And horses. Probably more but I don’t have every detail. He’s a handsome one, isn’t he?”

  Ace Anderson. Interesting name. A wealthy guy. She’d had enough of them in her actress days. Although she had to admit, this particular rich man had been incredibly nice. He’d even tried to take the blame for the drink spilling.

  “I suppose so.”

  She didn’t want to admit that in the moment of her embarrassment she’d noticed that the person she’d run into was quite attractive. Tall, dark, and handsome. All muscle. When she’d run into him, there hadn’t been any give to his frame.

  Alicia sputtered with laughter. “You suppose so? Is there any question? Ace is a hunk and a half. He’s got women falling all over him.”

  “Then he doesn’t need me to tell him he’s good-looking.”

  “You’re one tough cookie. He’s the kind of guy that could drop panties without breaking a sweat.”

  “I’m keeping my panties where they are.”

  Brad had been talking to another friend, but he must have heard part of their conversation because he turned to them, a frown on his face.

  “Are you ladies talking about underwear?”

  “We are. I was telling Cassie that Ace Anderson could get a woman to drop her panties easily.”

  “I know you’re not speaking from experience,” Brad said with a grin. “And why are we talking about him anyway?”

  “Cassie is the one that spilled the drink on him,” Alicia explained. “I think it’s the ultimate meet-cute. They can tell their grandkids how they met on a romantic patio by bumping into one another.”

  Brad put his arm around Alicia, pulling her close. “Excuse my bride-to-be, Cassie. She wants everyone in the world to be in love and getting married.”

  Alicia elbowed her man in the rib. “I do not. I just think they’d make a nice couple. Do you want Cassie to be alone all her life? I don’t. She needs a nice man.”

  Brad shrugged. “I guess. Maybe. If she likes him.”

  “I don’t even know him,” Cassie said. “I spilled a drink on him. That’s it. I doubt I’ll see him again.”

  “He’s a guest at our wedding,” Alicia replied. “You’ll definitely see him again.”

  “I meant that I probably won’t talk to him again.”

  “You should. Ace is a catch.”

  “I’m not looking to catch anything, thanks. I’m good.”

  Alicia opened her mouth again, but this time Brad shook his head before she could speak.

  “Good grief, sugar bear. Leave her be. Stop trying to play matchmaker.”

  Cassie gave Brad a grateful look. “I think I’m going to head up to my room. I’m exhausted from traveling today.”

  Alicia reached out and grabbed Cassie’s hand. “We’ll see you tomorrow, right? I want to see your costume for the party.”

  “Absolutely. Stop by my room any time. I’d love to show it to you. It’s a Cleopatra costume.”

  Cassie wouldn’t mind knowing Michael’s costume either.

  So she could stay far away from him tomorrow night.

  She hugged Alicia goodbye and headed out of the bar and back towards the lobby. She was standing in front of the elevator when an idea popped into her head. She didn’t want to go back to a stuffy, empty room. She needed fresh air and some space. Turning on her heel, she walked to the double doors that led to the beach.

  A walk would do her a world of good.

  Chapter

  Four

  When Ace had returned home, he’d grabbed a quick bite to eat and then changed into his running clothes and shoes before hitting the door again. This time he was heading straight to the beach. It was later now, and the sun was beginning to dip low into the sky. It would be dark when he was done but he knew this beach like the back of his hand. He’d lost count of the number of night jogs he’d taken over the years.

  He was one of the few people that didn’t like music when he ran. He loved to listen to the sounds of nature, and he’d always felt it was better to be alert to what was around him. He saved his music for when he was singing in the shower or driving in his car.

  He started out slowly, building speed until his arms and legs were pumping, his entire body pushed to its limit. He loved a physical challenge, pushing himself to see what he was capable of whether it was in the gym or in business and finance. He never wanted to become complacent. He felt more alive when he was testing his limits.

  Eventually he paused, his hands on his knees, sucking oxygen into his starved lungs. He pushed his damp hair out of his eyes and then headed back toward the resort but at a far more leisurely pace this time. The moon was high in the sky at this point, sending light beams skittering across the water.

  He could see the lit-up resort in the distance but also the dark outline of a lone figure on the beach. Slim. Petite. Either a small woman or maybe a teenager. Slowing down, he didn’t want to come upon them quickly and possibly scare him or her.

  They must have heard his footsteps on the wet sand though because they whirled around, facing him directly. He veered off to the person’s left, giving them space. He was right up beside them when he realized it was the woman who had spilled her drink on his shirt.

  The actress…shit, he couldn’t remember what her name was. Had Henry even said it? He didn’t think so.

  Her head was tilted to the side as if she was examining him closely, trying to figure him out. Then her hand flew to her mouth and he heard the quick intake of her breath.

  “It’s you.”

  He’d come to a halt about three feet from her.

  “It is. Are you okay?”

  Her gaze traveled past him to the resort and then down the beach before returning.

  “I wanted to take a walk. Get some fresh air.”

  “This is a good place to do it. That’s why I decided to take a run.”

  In the bright moonlight, he could see her expression turn sort of horrified.

  “I take it you don’t run.”

  “Not willingly. I suppose if I had someone chasing me it might be different.”

  “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” His mother would have his head. His manners were atrocious. “I’m Ace Anderson, by the way.”

  He held out his hand and she shook it.

  “Alicia told me who you were when I said I’d spilled my drink on someone. I’m Cassie Abbott.”

  She seemed to stiffen as if bracing for a body blow, although he wasn’t sure why.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Cassie. I hope you’re enjoying your stay so far.”

  “Alicia said that you own the resort.”

  “I do. Actually, my whole family does. I head up the family business.”

  “Are you the oldest?”

  “Yes, but that’s not why I do it. I do it because I like it.”

  If he’d decided to go another way with his career, his parents would have been disappointed but supportive. Frankly, he’d never truly considered doing anything else once he realized he couldn’t be a cowboy or an astronaut. Or a rock star. He would have dumped the family business in a minute for fame and fortune on the road with his buddies making music.

  If only they’d had a speck of talent. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

  He nodded toward a closed-up cabana where the resort sold drinks during the daytime hours.

  “I was going to grab a bottle of water. Care for one? Or something else to drink?”

  “I don’t want to be any tr
ouble.”

  “It’s no trouble. I’m getting myself one.”

  He didn’t wait for another reply, heading up toward the cabana that had been closed since sundown. He quickly put in the code next to the door and the lock disengaged. Cassie had followed him, sliding onto an empty barstool.

  He flipped on a small light then pulled two water bottles from the cooler, placing one in front of her before twisting open his own bottle, swallowing down half in almost one gulp.

  “Wow, I guess you were thirsty,” she said with a laugh, taking a sip from her bottle. “How far did you go?”

  “Down to the pier and back.”

  Her eyes widened. “That’s a long way. Heck, that’s a long drive, let alone a run.”

  “I needed to burn off some energy.” He finished his water and tossed it into the trash can behind him. “So how do you know Alicia and Brad?”

  She hesitated for a moment, the bottle hovering near her lips.

  “I worked with Brad and Alicia a few years ago.”

  Brad was an actor on a soap opera… Right, Ace could see where this was going. She thought he might make a fuss or something. Maybe ask for a selfie.

  “My son and I saw you earlier today when you were checking in. He recognized you. He said his girlfriend Katie is a big fan.”

  Since he didn’t gush or make a scene she appeared to relax.

  “That’s sweet, but I haven’t worked on that show for almost two years.”

  “He said, and I quote, ‘Katie is literally going to die.’ Yep, he used literally like that. So I think she’s a big fan. Don’t worry, I told him that they absolutely cannot bother you.”

  Her nails were digging at the label on the plastic bottle, peeling it away, her gaze directed away from him. “I’ll admit that I do like my privacy.”

  “Most people do. That’s not surprising.”

  She finally looked up, a strange expression on her beautiful face. “Have you seen the show?”

  He shook his head. “No, I haven’t. I don’t watch much television and even less when it’s on during the day. I haven’t seen Brad or Alicia if it makes you feel better. Wait, that’s not true. I saw Alicia in that horror film she made about five years ago, and Brad in the coming of age movie way back when he first got in the business.”

  “You don’t know anything about Jessica?”

  Now that name rang a bell. Henry had mentioned it.

  “Is that the name of your character?”

  “It is. Everyone that I meet thinks that I’m her. Or she’s me. Either way, they call me Jessica.”

  “How long were you on the show?”

  “Eighteen years. I started when I was thirteen.”

  “Then I’m not surprised. You were in their homes every day for that long. That’s all they knew you as. But I’m guessing you’ve got some loony-toon fans as well. People who can’t tell the difference between reality and acting. Am I right?”

  “You are,” she agreed immediately. “In the end, that’s one of the reasons I left the show. The attention was getting out of hand.”

  There was a certain tone in Cassie’s voice. It sounded like fear. Mixed with anger.

  “So you left your job?”

  “That wasn’t the only reason. Honestly, I was just exhausted, period. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be an actress at that point. I was tired and I needed a break. I wanted to try other things. I’d been doing it since I was basically a teenager. I even took school classes on the set.”

  Ace couldn’t imagine his own son at thirteen having what amounted to a full-time job. At that age, kids needed to be doing kid stuff. They didn’t need adult responsibilities. He didn’t, however, express that thought. It was simply his opinion.

  “What have you been doing since then?”

  She wrinkled up her nose and heaved a heavy sigh. “If you ask my family, they’ll tell you I’ve been wasting my life.”

  “I’m not asking them, I’m asking you.”

  Her chin lifted slightly before she answered. “I’ve been designing…shoes and purses.”

  Ace wasn’t surprised. If she was a creative person, she might express that in more than one way.

  “I’ve always admired people who can do things like that. I don’t have a creative bone in my body.”

  “I’m sure you do.”

  He shook his head and chuckled, remembering back on his childhood. “My poor art teacher was ready to hang herself by the end of the semester. She just couldn’t believe how incredibly untalented I was. I can barely draw a stick figure. It was the same for the chorus director at church, a guitar teacher when I was in middle school, and let’s not forget my writing class in college. I’m just not a creative person. My head is for business and numbers. But damn, I do wish I was more like you. I think it would be great to have that kind of talent.”

  She appeared shocked. “You want to be more like me? You’re a successful businessman.”

  “How do you know that I’m successful? I might be terrible at it.”

  She shifted in her seat before answering. “Alicia said that you were successful.”

  He couldn’t help but wonder what Alicia had said. After over forty years in the Anderson family, he’d been called just about everything in the book - good and bad.

  “My family has worked hard, and we’ve been very fortunate.”

  “That’s a diplomatic answer.”

  “I’m well aware that just because someone works hard doesn’t mean that they’ll be successful,” Ace replied. “As I said, we’ve been fortunate. I’m aware that not everyone has been. Tell me more about these shoes and handbags.”

  Apparently, that made her giggle.

  “You want to talk about purses and sandals?”

  He really wanted to simply talk to her. About anything that she was interested in. He liked her. He couldn’t say that about all the people he met.

  “Let’s say that I do. How long have you been doing this? Have you tried to sell any of your designs?”

  “The fact is I don’t have a clue how to do that. I have a high school education but I have to admit that I wasn’t a great student. I was too concentrated on my job. I have lots of designs done but I don’t know what the next step is. I don’t even know if they’re any good, to be honest.”

  “Have you shown them to anyone?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve been afraid to. I’ve been enjoying it so much that I didn’t want to hear that I suck at it.”

  “I doubt you suck at it, but very few people are great right out of the gate. Most people have to work at things a bit. Try stuff, make mistakes. Do you feel that you’re improving? That to me would be most important.”

  She looked down at her half-empty water bottle and then back up at him, this time smiling.

  “Yes, I think that I’m improving.”

  “Then you’re on your way.”

  “To where?” she laughed. “I may have good designs, but I don’t know what to do with them.”

  Ace just might have a few ideas about that.

  Cassie was almost glad she’d spilled her drink on Ace Anderson. Almost.

  He was kind, funny, and helpful. They’d spent the evening talking about her business, and he’d been giving her some of his ideas to make it a reality.

  Because somehow in the last two hours it had morphed into a real damn business from a fun hobby all because this guy knew about starting a business. She didn’t know a whit about business or finance, but she’d become good at sniffing out bullshit in Hollywood. Ace Anderson was the real deal. Even if Alicia hadn’t said that very thing, Cassie would have known. He wasn’t arrogant or anything, just quietly self-confident. He wasn’t trying to prove himself. He didn’t have to.

  “I’m so glad I ran into you. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be so excited now. I might be able to make this my everyday job.”

  At some point, Ace had poured himself a whiskey, and her a glass of wine. They’d settled into a couple of empty beach chairs under a smattering of palm trees so they could talk in comfort. The rest of the world had seemed far away as he’d encouraged her to dream and think far beyond anything she ever had before. He had that kind of enthusiasm where he made her believe it was all possible.

  “I’m glad you ran into me too,” he said with a grin. “I’m excited for you. It sounds like you’ve been wanting to do this.”