most part.
“You better, or I’ll be coming to your suite and beating it out of you,” Zachary replied.
“I’m a man of my word. What time will you want us at the docks?”
“Three in the morning. I’ll board you as crew. Pack light. Text me your lady’s measurements. I’ll make arrangements for clothing for you. Do you have any cargo you want to bring on board?”
“Yeah, she’s got a motorcycle.”
“Make and model?”
“BMW R 1200 GS. It’s brand new.”
Zachary chuckled. “I’ll have the serial scrubbed and get Canadian tags registered, along with an ID for her once you’re both on board. Lay low in the meantime, Jackson. Stay in your room and enjoy room service until Wednesday morning. The entire network is hot over your death. Make so much as a single peep, and everyone will know you’re still among the living.” There was a long pause, and I heard my friend sigh. “I don’t know what’s going on, but play it safe.”
With a wince, I murmured an acknowledgment of Zachary’s warning. Most Inquisitors didn’t know the identity of the Shadow Pope, and my friend numbered among them. He’d find out on Wednesday, though. Still, Zachary wouldn’t sell me out; it’d ruin us both. At forty-five, the captain had been around long enough to understand the risks we took each and every day.
“You’re great, Zach. Thanks a lot. What will I owe you?”
“We’ll talk business once you’re on board. Call me if you need anything.”
“Will do. Thanks.” I hung up, tossing my phone onto the nightstand. I took a long swig of the champagne before reaching for the bag. Pajamas weren’t a normal part of my attire, but I had bought us both a set for the trip. I wore mine. Evelyn, on the other hand, pretended like hers didn’t exist. I set the flannels on the dresser while waiting for my turn in the jacuzzi.
I fell asleep, still dressed in my suit, long before the Fenerec finished her bath.
~~*~~
One half of me was cold while the other half was warm. Grumbling at the inevitable reality of spring in Florida, I groped for the lost blanket and found the gentle curves of a woman instead. Sucking in a breath, I lurched upright. Evelyn was sprawled over me, her hands clutching at my arm in her effort to prevent my escape.
To both my relief and surprise, she was wearing her pajamas. She had left the top buttons undone, and I forgot about how cold I was as I got a good look at her.
Suzanne had been pretty, and I missed her dearly, but Evelyn was the sort of woman I had spent most of my adolescence dreaming about. Closing my eyes, I groaned and wondered how I had managed to get myself into such a situation. The hotel room had two beds, both of which were large and comfortable. The single conclusion I came up with set my heart to racing.
She had wanted to curl up next to me, and I couldn’t even begin to guess as to why.
I was far too aware of her pressed against me for my own good. Hating myself for not accepting her offers, I wiggled out from beneath her. She smiled sleepily, her fingers clutching my arm. Her hair spilled over her face, making my fingers itch from the desire to brush back her auburn locks and discover if they were as soft as they looked.
By the time I managed to escape her hold on me, I was sweating and didn’t want to leave. Before she could get a grasp on me again, I fled to the bathroom to take a cold shower. The chill cut into me, and I grimaced at my extensive collection of bumps, bruises, and healing cuts. Evelyn’s bites were healing well, to my relief. I didn’t even need a bandage anymore, though I’d wear one anyway.
What I needed was a long soak in the jacuzzi. After making certain I had locked the door, I indulged in bubbles, salts, and oils, submerging to my chin so the jets could massage away my soreness. Evelyn warbled a wordless complaint. A few moments later, she knocked at the bathroom door.
“Jackson?”
“What is it, Miss Evelyn?”
“Can I order
“You better, or I’ll be coming to your suite and beating it out of you,” Zachary replied.
“I’m a man of my word. What time will you want us at the docks?”
“Three in the morning. I’ll board you as crew. Pack light. Text me your lady’s measurements. I’ll make arrangements for clothing for you. Do you have any cargo you want to bring on board?”
“Yeah, she’s got a motorcycle.”
“Make and model?”
“BMW R 1200 GS. It’s brand new.”
Zachary chuckled. “I’ll have the serial scrubbed and get Canadian tags registered, along with an ID for her once you’re both on board. Lay low in the meantime, Jackson. Stay in your room and enjoy room service until Wednesday morning. The entire network is hot over your death. Make so much as a single peep, and everyone will know you’re still among the living.” There was a long pause, and I heard my friend sigh. “I don’t know what’s going on, but play it safe.”
With a wince, I murmured an acknowledgment of Zachary’s warning. Most Inquisitors didn’t know the identity of the Shadow Pope, and my friend numbered among them. He’d find out on Wednesday, though. Still, Zachary wouldn’t sell me out; it’d ruin us both. At forty-five, the captain had been around long enough to understand the risks we took each and every day.
“You’re great, Zach. Thanks a lot. What will I owe you?”
“We’ll talk business once you’re on board. Call me if you need anything.”
“Will do. Thanks.” I hung up, tossing my phone onto the nightstand. I took a long swig of the champagne before reaching for the bag. Pajamas weren’t a normal part of my attire, but I had bought us both a set for the trip. I wore mine. Evelyn, on the other hand, pretended like hers didn’t exist. I set the flannels on the dresser while waiting for my turn in the jacuzzi.
I fell asleep, still dressed in my suit, long before the Fenerec finished her bath.
~~*~~
One half of me was cold while the other half was warm. Grumbling at the inevitable reality of spring in Florida, I groped for the lost blanket and found the gentle curves of a woman instead. Sucking in a breath, I lurched upright. Evelyn was sprawled over me, her hands clutching at my arm in her effort to prevent my escape.
To both my relief and surprise, she was wearing her pajamas. She had left the top buttons undone, and I forgot about how cold I was as I got a good look at her.
Suzanne had been pretty, and I missed her dearly, but Evelyn was the sort of woman I had spent most of my adolescence dreaming about. Closing my eyes, I groaned and wondered how I had managed to get myself into such a situation. The hotel room had two beds, both of which were large and comfortable. The single conclusion I came up with set my heart to racing.
She had wanted to curl up next to me, and I couldn’t even begin to guess as to why.
I was far too aware of her pressed against me for my own good. Hating myself for not accepting her offers, I wiggled out from beneath her. She smiled sleepily, her fingers clutching my arm. Her hair spilled over her face, making my fingers itch from the desire to brush back her auburn locks and discover if they were as soft as they looked.
By the time I managed to escape her hold on me, I was sweating and didn’t want to leave. Before she could get a grasp on me again, I fled to the bathroom to take a cold shower. The chill cut into me, and I grimaced at my extensive collection of bumps, bruises, and healing cuts. Evelyn’s bites were healing well, to my relief. I didn’t even need a bandage anymore, though I’d wear one anyway.
What I needed was a long soak in the jacuzzi. After making certain I had locked the door, I indulged in bubbles, salts, and oils, submerging to my chin so the jets could massage away my soreness. Evelyn warbled a wordless complaint. A few moments later, she knocked at the bathroom door.
“Jackson?”
“What is it, Miss Evelyn?”
“Can I order
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