Page 128 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“Here I am.” Marco extended his arms wide.

“Hey, I’m checking you out.” Sasha pointed at him.

“I’m checking you out.” Marco pointed back with both hands.

“Is that some sort of foreplay?” Ace wrinkled his nose at Marco.

“My sister jests.” Max laughed, leaning over the rails and waving good-bye to Sasha. “’Tis the gift of the bard. My ma had the same.”

“Their banter, ’tis from the movieEurovision,” Caiyan said.

“Since when do you watch movies?” I cocked a suspicious eyebrow at him.

“There are things ye dinnae know aboot me, Sunshine. I’m a mystery, like the ocean.” He lifted his tan, muscled arms and motioned as if parting the water. “I cannae wait to inspect yer tattoo, a bit closer.”

I rolled my eyes and caught the full moon pale in the sundrenched sky.

“The moon is calling us home.”

“Ye sure you can handle it?” Caiyan asked me.

I paused. Another gifted one on the ship might help. I could ask Caiyan to jump to Gitmo with us, but the WTF would take him into custody. Or I could be his loyal fiancé, for real this time, and send him safely away. “I’ve got this. It’ll be safer if only transporters are on the ship. I’ll help Max steer, and Ace is here. I’ll see you later, right?”

“Ye cannae keep me away. We’re engaged, yeah?”

“Fake engaged.” I smiled.

“Don’t worry, doll. Your girl’s safe with me.” Ace wafted a hand at his boxers flapping in the breeze. “We’ve got luck on our side.”

Caiyan shook his head and kissed me. A long, deep kiss filled with promises. The promise to be the man I needed, the man I could trust. The promise to be by my side against all odds and, hopefully, the promise of an engagement ring that would pacify my mother until I could get up enough nerve to admit it was a mistake.

“Get a room,” Ace teased.

“I’ll help Ace and Max make room on the ship.” Caiyan released me. “’Tis time to jump.”

Marco stared out at the sea as Sasha’s sub vanished.

“Look who’s become a movie-quoting nerd.” I poked Marco playfully in the side.

“It’s her favorite movie. She’s a Will Ferrell fan. Just like me.”

“I’m sorry she didn’t stay with us.” I put a hand on Marco’s arm.

“It’s OK. I know where she’s headed.” He pulled me into a hug. “Thanks for coming back for me.”

“You’re my—” I started to say defender, but instead, I let my heart lead. “Family.”

We moved the extra rowboat to make room for the vessels. Marco called his first. And just like I figured, Max went nuts over the racecar. “Blimey, can I commandeer one of these?”

“After you get a driver’s license,” I told him. He looked confused about the words, but Marco didn’t give him time for questions. The Ferrari engine revved, and Marco disappeared with a good-bye salute.

Caiyan summoned his phone booth. Max wasn’t as impressed, but once I explained the telephone, he tried to make several calls.

“’Tis jest for show. Now get oot,” Caiyan ordered.

“Any chance you’ll jump to headquarters?” I asked Caiyan.

“Naugh one, but I promise to make ye forget all about how mad Agent McCoy will be when ye didnae bring me in.” Caiyan winked and left me with a kiss on my forehead.

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