Page 42 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“Elma knew I’d leave the WTF, join Rogue, and search for her.” Fredericka snapped her fingers. “This is the reason I’ve been summoned to headquarters.”

“You were?” I looked at her, stunned.

“I received a text from Agent McCoy to report for duty. We’re short transporters. He’s going to send me to find my mother.”

Crap. Fredericka would show Jake the map and demand to jump to Nassau. He’d send her instead of me.

Our destination was the same, but our itineraries were different.

“I’m not going.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ll jump on my own. I can find my mother, find Sasha, and maybe find…more.”

Damn. Not good. If Fredericka’s already in Nassau, Jake may not send me. No way was Vampira screwing up my chance to save Marco. I hated to admit that she wasn’t her evil self today, but I’d be damned if I’d let her change my flight plan.

“You should report to headquarters. We don’t have all the pieces of the map so you won’t know where to look and besides, going solo is never a good idea. Potts can arrest you, and then you’d never get to see your mother or sister.”

“Fine. I’ll play by the rules. But stay out of my way.”

There she is. Vampira was back. So much for co-worker bonding.

Sixteen

Iarrived at Gitmo early the following day. The planned long, hot shower before relaxing with my morning Wordle and two cups of coffee was destroyed in one six a.m. phone call. Jake wanted to speak with me before the rest of my team.

As soon as I returned from Russia, I called him and explained about the map and the possibility that Sasha might be searching for more than treasure.

He assured me he’d do his best to send me to Nassau if Marco didn’t return.

But this morning, his tone was edgy. He had something to speak to me about that he couldn’t tell me over the phone, only demanded loudly that I arrive early.

I stomped down the hall wearing my boho striped sleeveless shirt, flirty skirt, and Jessica Simpson stilettos with the bright red bow that I hoped would entice Jake to choose me. I mean a girl has to use all her weapons, right?

My stilettos tapped against tile as I marched toward Jake’s office listing possible reasons he was in such a snit and rolling myself into one. If he thought he was pulling me off the Nassau jump, he had better think again.

I had made peace with Jake over our lost relationship. He had Angel, and I had Caiyan. Sort of. My stomach fluttered at the thought of my fake engagement. How long could I keep up this ruse? Did I want to be fake engaged to Caiyan? What if it led to a fake marriage? Or a real one? Was I ready?

Get a grip.

I reached to twist a strand of hair and met a thick French braid. The only thing I had time to do with my hair this morning. I didn’t get my coffee, which added to my snit. I inhaled a deep, calming breath and thought positive, happy thoughts. I didn’t want to screw up my chances to go after Marco.

Jake’s office door was open. He sat at his desk, eyes focused on his laptop screen, sipping coffee. The ass.

I reminded myself I wanted this mission. Plastering a smile on my face, I tapped twice on the doorframe.

“Hidey-ho, Boss Babe.”

He looked up, gave me a you’re-ridiculous face, and motioned me inside.

I scooted into one of the metal office chairs in front of his desk and noticed a second cup of steaming coffee. “Is this for me?”

“Yeah. I knew you’d have to skip coffee or hair to get here on time, and I placed my bet on the coffee.” He set his cup down, walked around the desk, and stopped beside me. “Thanks for coming in early.”

Grumpy six a.m. Jake had morphed into Nice Boss Jake. I took a long drink of the coffee and moaned self-indulgent pleasure. Looking up at him, I couldn’t read the blank emotion on his face, but his eyes danced a little, and I thought that was a good sign. “What’s up?”

“I’m having second thoughts about your jump to Nassau.”

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