Page 54 of What Doesn't Kill You…

He cocked an eyebrow. "You sure about that?" His words were heavy with private meaning.

She had the grace to blush.

He carried on. "Take your mother and sister to check the flowers. It will involve them in the wedding, so they don't feel left out."

"There isn't going to be a wedding," Violet said through gritted teeth.

"I know that. And you know that. But they don't know that. So they want to be part of the celebration, and the more you shut them out the more reckless they'll become. This way, you keep them happy, we get to bug the estate, and your family doesn't do something rash to get your attention."

There was silence for a beat while Violet tried to destroy him with the power of her mind. An image of her as a petite Darth Vader, holding up her hand in a motion intended to remotely choke the life out of him, flashed in his mind and he grinned. It was hilarious. If their relationship lasted past the Caribbean, he was going to buy her a Darth costume for Halloween.

"I think the reporter’s on to something," Rodrigo said.

Katrina was nodding. "It's brilliant because it's logical. Of course your mother and sister would want to check the flowers. What florist wouldn't want control over that part of the wedding. This could really work."

"Apart from the fact we'd be involving my family in our op and putting them in danger," Violet said tersely.

"Hate to say it Mighty Mouse," Abasi said. "But they're already involved. That happened the instant they stepped onto Wedding Island."

"Don't call me that," Violet threatened. "And I swear, if this puts them in harm's way…"

"Yeah, yeah, you'll hurt somebody." Abasi got to his feet, tugged down his uniform T-shirt. "I was supposed to be back in the kitchen half an hour ago. If anyone asks, I'm going to tell them I was propositioned by a horny bridesmaid when I delivered breakfast." He held up his hands. "It would have been bad service to say no."

"You're truly disgusting," Katrina said with a shake of her head.

"I try." Abasi sauntered toward the door.

"What about Max?" Violet said. "Is he going to look at flowers too?"

"No," Rodrigo said. "Max is going to be far away from the flowers, making as much noise as possible to ensure the eyes of Damien's security are firmly on him while you're in the warehouse."

"I can't believe you chose your flowers without consulting me," Violet's mother said as they headed to the florist.

Max had been right. Her mum was eager to share her professional opinion on Violet’s flowers. In fact, she looked quite pleased to have been asked. It was everything Violet had hoped never to experience when she got married.

"Isn't this fun?" Jasmine linked her arm through Violet's, uncaring when Violet tried to shake her off. The woman was a bloody limpet. Nothing could make her release her hold once she got her hands on you.

"I can hardly contain myself," Violet said.

They'd left her nieces parked beside the pool, under the watchful eye of their great-grandmother. Lian wouldn't let anyone harass them. Although, from the looks of the girls, they were hoping for a little male harassment. Violet had never seen anyone wear that much makeup to go swimming. Meanwhile, Rodrigo and Max had invited her father and brother-in-law to a game of golf. Apparently, everyone was having fun except her. She was in hell.

The florist shop in the tiny retail area of the resort wasn't large. It barely fit the woman behind the counter and all four of Violet's party.

"Can I help you?" the woman said, with a genuine smile.

"I'd like to speak to whoever is in charge. It's about the flowers for the Durant-Lee wedding," Violet said, the words feeling alien on her tongue.

"Of course, let me get her for you." She tapped on the computer beside her and then lifted the phone. "Tina, the bride from the Durant-Lee wedding is asking about the flowers for their ceremony tomorrow. Could you come talk to her? Thanks." She gave them another smile. "She's in our cold storage and will be here in about five minutes. I hope there isn't a problem, but if there is, Tina will be able to sort it. She's our head florist."

"Is she the owner?" her mother asked, probably out of professional curiosity.

"No. The estate owns the business, and we have an administrative manager, but Tina heads up the creative side of things. Don't worry, she's been with us for years. You're in good hands."

Violet shared a knowing look with Katrina. If Tina had been there for years, then she must know about the smuggling and money laundering. Even if the business manager took care of the paperwork, the head florist would be aware of orders coming and going in ways that didn't add up with the weddings they’d planned. Violet wondered how much Tina had been paid to turn the other way when she had questions. Sadly, for some people, it didn't take very much at all.

While they waited on the florist, her mother and sister went around the store, commenting on the different bouquets and arrangements, and gasping at the prices.

"I don't charge enough," her mother declared.