Page 19 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“I’ll make do.” He removed a carton of eggs, a bag of spinach—he frowned at the expiration date and tossed it in the trash—shredded cheese, and an avocado. Within minutes, the kitchen smelled like heaven. He plated scrambled eggs topped with cheddar and sliced avocado.

He set them in front of me. “’Tis no wedding cake, but weel settle ye from the travel.” He made a plate for himself, set it across from me, and took his seat.

I opened my mouth to tell him about Marco.

“Eat.” He stopped me before I spoke. “Weel talk later.”

We ate in a strained silence, and I wished I had stayed for the cake. “Where have you been?” I finally broke the uncomfortable quiet.

“Working.” He glanced over at me and found me staring at him with my eyebrow cocked, indicating his answer lacked substance. “I spent some time with Itty.”

Aunt Itty was Caiyan’s great aunt who had the gift of time travel, but with age, her skills became a bit wonky. Maybe Itty could persuade Caiyan to give himself up.

“How’s Aunt Itty?”

“Getting on fine. And before ye ask, I’m no turning myself in, so dinnae think yer going to be in cahoots with her to persuade me.”

Cripes. Caiyan told me he couldn’t read minds. It wasn’t a skill any traveler inherited, but damn he was in my head. “Jake’s going to arrest you tomorrow.”

“I willnae be here.”

“Where will you be?”

“Working.”

“Caiyan, you can’t keep running. The WTF needs you. Why can’t you try to cooperate? Maybe General Potts will cut you a deal.”

“I’m naugh finished.”

“Finished with what?” I wanted to scream the question. Instead, I used self-control and popped a bite of avocado into my mouth.

“Working.”

“You’re the most annoying man I’ve ever met.” I slammed my fork down, which rattled loudly against the plate. So much for self-control.

“Ditto.” He pointed to my glass with his fork. “Now take the shot, then drink the water.”

I threw back the shot more because I knew it would help me sleep than because he ordered me to do so. “I want to talk about the chest.” And the other thing.

“Ye should get some rest. Things willnae be any different in the morning.”

“I want to talk about it. I want to understand what went wrong.” I placed my fist against my chest as if I could massage the ache from my heart. “I want to know if I failed.”

“Ye didnae fail. Ye havenae had the chance so ’tis no need to blame yerself.” He scooped up the last bite on his plate and leaned back, allowing his eyes to settle on me. “Fine. Weel talk aboot the chest, but only the chest, for now.”

“Marco stayed.”

“I gathered that from the picture on the notice. Unless he has a twin in 1718.”

“He saw Sasha and stayed to get the eye.” And win her heart.

And crush mine.

He didn’t respond, only finished his scotch.

“Caiyan, I need my computer. I need to find out what happened to Marco. I need—” I couldn’t stop a fat teardrop from streaking my cheek. I had left Marco in the past, and he’d died. He’d been hung by the neck and gibbeted. Whatever the fuck that was.

“Sunshine.” Caiyan reached up and ran a thumb across my cheek. His touch wiped away my grief. “Marco isnae dead, yet.”

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