Page 17 of Croatia Collateral

When she emerged from her bedroom, she looked better and forced an air of confident nonchalance.

The scent of coffee filled her nostrils, leading her to the source—a tray full of breakfast choices and two carafes of steaming dark brew.

She poured a mug of Turkish coffee and took her first sip.

“Ah, you’re awake.” Dax emerged from his bedroom, fully clothed in the black trousers and shirt he’d worn the night before. He appeared well-rested and ready to start the day.

Which was more than Giva could say about herself. Dressed in a cream-colored pantsuit, she’d slicked her hair against her scalp and secured it in a ponytail that hung down her back in a neat braid.

Although fully dressed, she needed her first cup of coffee before she was ready. Especially since they were headed for a day of shopping.

She was good at choosing fashionable clothing and liked to dress up occasionally. She viewed shopping as a necessary evil. The sooner they got started, the sooner they’d get done. Then, the real work began. They had only a couple of days to learn all there was to know about Evan and Sasha to make their performance convincing.

“I spoke with Fearghas and Peter earlier,” Dax said. “They had a peaceful night, alternating who stood guard outside our door every six hours, so they got some sleep. No excitement, which is always good. Maybe word that E.M. is in town hasn’t made all the rounds yet. And it might take them a minute to make the connection between E.M. and Edward Hughes.”

Giva sipped and nodded. “Good. I’m not ready to jump into his girlfriend’s stilettoes until after I’ve had at least one cup of coffee.”

“You should also load up on protein while we wait for the stores to open,” Dax said. “I have a feeling we’re going to need our strength to make it through the day. Did I mention that I don’t like to shop for clothes?”

“That makes two of us. I’ll do my best to keep it as short as possible.” She snorted. “No guarantees. Some of the staff members at upscale clothiers have a knack for dragging it out as long as they can to wear down the buyer into purchasing multiple items just to get out of the door.”

Dax’s lips pressed tightly together. “Great. Something to look forward to.”

Giva grinned over the top of her mug. “You’ll live.”

“I’d rather face a horde of Taliban soldiers than spend more than thirty minutes in a store,” Dax muttered.

“Suck it up, Marine,” Giva said in her best drill instructor voice, ruining the effect when her lips quirked upward and stood.

“I was just about to pour my second cup of coffee,” Dax said.

“Too late for that. The stores open in twenty minutes.” Giva glanced at her cell phone and squared her shoulders. Not only had she slept well, but the coffee was also kicking in. “We need to get moving.”

“We have to wait for the all-clear from Hank and Sadie. If they don’t get E.M. and his girl off-grid, this operation ends before it begins.”

A knock sounded on the door to the suite.

Giva’s gaze met Dax’s.

“I’ll get it,” he said and hurried to the door, checking through the peephole before releasing the deadbolt and swinging it open.

Ace Hammerson strode in, followed by Jasmine and Fearghas.

Peter remained in the hall as Fearghas closed the door.

“I got a text from Hank on my way here. He’s going to call any minute.” As if on cue, his cell phone chirped. Hammer glanced down. “That’s him. Fearghas?”

Fearghas had his cell phone out and ready. He punched a button, and his phone emitted a white noise that sounded like heavy rain. He adjusted the volume louder and then nodded to Hammer.

Hammer received the call and placed it on speaker.

Everyone gathered closer to hear over the sound of the rain.

“Hammer here. You’re on speaker.”

“Good,” Hank Patterson’s voice came across as staticky but clear enough. “Our guests are secure. With the help of a little chemistry, we were able to borrow his cell phone and forward all calls to the number you provided before we disabled the device. Swede also disabled the internet service for the island. I’m communicating with you on a satellite phone. Are the doppelgangers ready for insertion?”

Dax and Giva spoke as one. “We are.”

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