Page 10 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

I cocked my head at the G-rated oath.

Jake looked down at his hands. “Angel asked me to quit cussing.”

Campy huffed. “Why do all the lassies want us to give up our most stellar words?”

“I know it’s hard to manage the time travelers and keep it G-rated.” I tried to sound sympathetic. “But Jake, this is Marco.”

“Jennifer, I’m trying to run a government operation here. Just because Marco goes splashing off after some woman doesn’t mean we drop everything and chase after him.”

“Yeah, I get that, but Sasha’s got the eye. That makes her dangerous. She’s after something in Nassau. And that something is probably a key. You know the folklore.” I made air quotes with my fingers. “You need the King’s eye to find the King’s key.”

“Jen has a point, Agent McCoy,” Ace said. “If the pirates abducted Sasha, there’s a chance that some dirty scoundrel could get his filthy hands on the eye.”

“How could you not think that’s a problem?” I pounded my fist on the table.

“Forgive me if my pirate knowledge isn’t up to date,” Jake said. “But if a band of pirates took Sasha, and if Marco doesn’t return, how exactly do you plan to get on board Captain Vane’s ship?”

“Sasha was dressed as a man. I can do the same.” I lifted my chin, as if faking my way on a pirate ship was an everyday task.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Jake crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. “You don’t know anything about sailing. If you dress as a man and get on a ship, they’ll put you to work. And that’s if they don’t figure out you’re a woman.”

“He’s got you there, cupcake,” Gerry said. “Besides, how you gonna hide those tits?”

I rolled my eyes at Gerry. “I can manage.”

“Jen,” Campy’s forehead creased with premature worry lines. “If the pirates discover you, they’ll throw you in the Brig or hang ye from the mast or worse.”

“Campy’s right.” Jake nodded, then shook his head. “I can’t have that on my conscience. No way in hell am I sending you. If and when the time comes, I’ll send Brodie or Gerry.”

“Gee, thanks.” Gerry frowned up at Jake. “I’ve always wanted to wash piss off the deck of some rotten wooden boat. Guys of my stature don’t do well in the 1700s.”

“I’ll take that into consideration.” Jake glanced at the clock on the wall. “Let’s table this conversation for a later date. We’ll see what happens when the next moon cycle opens. In the meantime, study up on the Golden Age of Piracy.”

I glanced at my phone again. I’d be late to Uncle Durr’s wedding if I didn’t leave soon.

“Meeting adjourned,” Jake said. Everyone pushed back from the table and headed out. Jake stopped me at the door. “Don’t worry. We’ll make the wedding.”

“We?” I looked over at Jake.

“Yeah, your uncle Durr invited me. He’s had a soft spot for me ever since I helped him repair the still.” Jake smiled at the memory. “Angel’s coming as my plus one.”

Jake had grown up with me. In elementary school, I loved having him as a best friend. Later, he was my more off-again than on-again boyfriend. Best friend worked out better than lover. And much better than Boss Jake.

I wanted to time travel. I wanted to save the world from evil time-screwer-upper brigands. So, I adapted and accepted Jake as my boss.

“That’s gr-r-reat that you’re coming, and you’re bringing Marco’s sister.” I did a mental head slap. I’d invited Caiyan as my plus-one. Months ago, Caiyan stole his key from the WTF and disappeared into the night like Batman.

If Caiyan showed up, Jake would arrest him. It was never good to have a commotion at a family wedding. And the take-down of an AWOL time traveler qualified as a commotion. I’d be blamed for ruining the wedding.

“Gosh, look at the time.” I waggled my phone at him. “Gotta run.”

“Later.” Jake stacked his papers and eyed me suspiciously as I tried not to run from the room.

Once I was out of earshot, I sprinted down the hall to the hangar where my outhouse waited. Not an easy task in heels and my shift dress. My bargain basement pink strappy stilettos clicked loudly on the tile.

I plucked my cell phone from my dress pocket and opened it to text Caiyan.

Warn him not to come.

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