Page 46 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“A fiancé might have second thoughts about turning in her future husband.” Jake crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back to stare at me like I was daft. “He’s playing you.”

I placed my hands on the desk and leaned toward him. “I won’t do it.”

“Fine.” Jake gave a defeated huff and sent me a look that was somehow sad. Much different from the Jake of a few minutes ago.

His phone buzzed, making us both jump. He snatched the receiver. “Yes?”

The irritating tone of Miss Beotch’s voice, Jake’s secretary, echoed from the line.

“Yes, she’s here.” He paused and looked at me. “It’s the general. I need to take this. Report to the blue room. The moon cycle opens soon, and then I’ll have the jump dates.”

I stomped toward the door, then stopped. “I’m going after Marco. Regardless of where Mortas jumps.”

Jake’s face twisted into a pained expression. “I know.”

Seventeen

Imet up with the rest of my team in the conference room. With Brodie injured, Campy on leave, and Caiyan in the wind, it left Gerry, Tina, Ace, and me to defend the world. I’d leave the world to them. I only wanted to save Marco.

“Hiya, hotcakes,” Gerry said as I walked toward the beverage cart.

“Morning, y’all.”

Ace had his legs propped in the chair next to him and sawed violently at a hangnail. He paused his filing. “Hey, hon, how’s it going?”

“It’s going.” I grabbed a bottle of water and joined him at the table. I wanted another coffee with double sugar and lots of cream, but I held back. The extra caffeine would make me edgy, and the jump did that all by itself.

“Did ya hear about Brodie?” Gerry groaned. “The dumbshit couldn’t leave well enough alone. He messed up his leg again.”

“I heard he took a fall off a horse and reinjured his leg,” I said.

Tina looked worried. “We’re running out of defenders.”

“I’m tired of chasing those Crackys. They’re nothin’ but a bunch of drunk losers.” Gerry’s gaze lifted, and he spoke to someone behind me. “Hey, cookie, can ya bring me one of those donuts?”

I glanced over my shoulder. Fredericka stood in the doorway, her hair pulled back in a knot, the dark liner back around her eyes, red devil lips, and head-to-toe leather. The Lara Croft to my Nancy Drew.

She frowned at Gerry. “Get it yourself, Munchkin.”

“That’s hurtful. It’s hard getting on and off these chairs. You got a thing against little people?”

Fredericka walked to the table. “No. I have a thing against foul-mouthed, Old Spice-wearing, weak-minded, womanizing bigots.”

“Jeez.” Gerry scrunched his nose at her. “Who shit in your shoes this morning?”

I looked down at her shoes. Black Valentino combat boots with metal studs. Gerry probably didn’t want one of those up his ass.

“I’ll get it.” Tina slid out of her seat, mumbling, “He doesn’t wear Old Spice.”

Fredericka knocked Ace’s feet out of the chair and sat next to me.

“What are you doing here, love?” Ace scowled at Fredericka. “This isn’t your normal turf.”

“None of your business.” Fredericka turned her back on Ace. He stuck his thumb on his nose and wiggled his fingers at her.

Gerry gave a snort-laugh.

She ignored him, leaned toward me. “Have you heard anything about the jump?”

---