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in the overstuffed chair. “And someone is trying to stop me.”
    â€œSomeone is trying to keep you from getting married?”
    Lucia fiddled with the two-carat ring on her finger. Luke suddenly realized he should have noticed that Scarlett wasn’t wearing a ring. Mistakes—how he hated them.
    â€œYes. Maybe because they’ve figured out that I’m not really here to get married,” Lucia said.
    â€œYou’re not?”
    She lowered her voice, glancing at Luke as if for permission. Scarlett glared at him. He nodded. Scarlett deserved some information at this point. It was the least he could do.
    â€œI’m here to help the CIA catch Augusto Sanchez. He’s a terrorist and the leader of a drug and human trafficking cartel in Panama.”
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    â€œAugusto is a shadow. Very few people actually know what he looks like, or where he lives. But he’s my fiancé’s uncle and he’s coming to our wedding. The CIA will raid the wedding and arrest him.”
    â€œOn your wedding day?”
    â€œWell, I’m not really getting married, obviously.” She cupped her hand over her mouth, swallowing, and Luke could see her tear. “Poor Benito.” She closed her eyes and took a breath.
    Scarlett just stared at her, horror on her face.
    Luke even felt a little sorry for Lucia.
    But that’s what happened when you fell in love with liars. You got dirty, and people got hurt.
    Lucia finally exhaled. “The problem is, I think some one knows the truth. Last week when I was at themarket, someone tried to run me down, I know it.” She lifted her arm, and Luke winced at the ugly scrape that reddened her skin. “I told my contact at the CIA but he didn’t believe me. Frankly, I don’t know who to trust, so I called a friend.”
    â€œMy boss,” Luke said quietly, trying to read Scarlett’s face.
    Scarlett turned to him and said, “So, this Stacey is supposed to be here protecting Lucia?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAs a bridesmaid.”
    â€œMaid of honor. My friend from college,” Lucia said.
    â€œAnd if you aren’t protected—”
    â€œThen someone is going to kill me.”
    Scarlett looked at Luke and shook her head. “I’m an idiot.”
    â€œNo, you’re not.”
    â€œOh, yes, I am. I should have known that a guy like you wouldn’t be my date. I don’t know where my head was.”
    Now what was that supposed to mean?
    She stood up before he could ask. “Listen, Lucia, I am really sorry about messing things up here. And I pray you’ll be safe.” She turned to Luke. “Take me back to the island and I’ll get out of your hair. You can track down this Stacey girl and get back to your mission.” She held out her hand to Lucia. “Nice to meet you.”
    Lucia didn’t move. She looked at Luke, her eyes glued to him.
    Luke blew out a long breath.
    Scarlett lowered her hand. “What’s the problem?”
    â€œUh…Scarlett, I really don’t know how to tell you this but, see, you went through security with me. And…”
    Wow, he needed a drink—possibly more than water. Although those days were over, too. He sighed.
    â€œLuke—”
    â€œYou can’t leave.” Lucia found her feet. “If Luke takes you back to the island and returns alone, they’ll know something is up.”
    â€œWhat? No.” She’d gone white, and he grimaced as he delivered her fate.
    â€œShe’s right, Scarlett. You might not be Stacey Meyer, but you are my fiancée. At least for the next three days.”
    â€œMy sister needs me. I can’t stay here. She’s expecting me to help her with her wedding—I have to pick up her dress!” Her voice shrilled as she lunged for the door.
    Luke hated himself just a little when he caught her, his hands closing around her arms. And he felt even