Page 101 of The Cottage on Plum Island
They’d all been so engrossed in Andrew’s story that no one had heard her and her heavily armed goons walk into the cottage. Jennifer’s hand instantly tightened in Harley’s, and he moved into a position to shield her and Harriet as best he could.
“Hello, Shannon,” Andrew greeted the tall, well-dressed woman who reminded Harley of Cruella deVille. All she needed was the multi-toned hair.
Shannon?Harley’s eyes widened as he realized she was Wallis’s sister. His first thought was that Wallis had doubled-crossed them and let her know where they were until he remembered Andrew said he was being followed, and she must’ve been who was following him. Harley snuck the drive back into the secret pocket in his jeans as she assessed the situation.
“Oh, hello, little brother,” Shannon’s eyes flicked over Wallis.
“What are you doing here, Shannon?” Wallis squared his shoulders.
“I want to say looking for you, but that would be a lie,” Shannon drawled. “I was following Andrew to stop him from making the worstmistake of his life.” She raised her eyebrows. “And look, I have all the leverage to get him to do what I say.”
“Here,” Sam threw his keys on the floor at her feet. “What you’re looking for is hidden in a kid’s lunch box beneath my car seat. Take it and leave.”
“Do you think me a fool?” Shannon eyed Sam like he was a piece of dirt. She asked one of her goons to get the keys and check. “We’ll see if you’re telling the truth and then decide what to do with all of you.”
Harley caught Sam’s eye as the man left, and a silent message passed between them.
“Jennifer, when I say go, run to your aunt’s bedroom and collect Annie, Angela, and Wallis along the way,” Harley instructed. “Aunt Betty’s room turns into a panic room. And now I know why.”
“What?” Jennifer whispered and spluttered before asking. “What are you going to do?” she looked up at him with wide, worried eyes.
“Get rid of the threat,” he told her.
He could see she was reluctant to do what he asked but nodded.
Harley caught his uncle’s eye before saying. “Go!” he hissed and sprung as fast as a striking snake, taking down the remaining guard.
Sam came up behind him and managed to detain Shannon as Harley went after the second guard, who he took down with the tranquilizer gun his uncle threw at him as he rushed out the door.
When they’d all been detained. Harley saw Jennifer coming down the hallway. He rushed toward her.
“Why aren’t you in the room?” Harley asked, his voice filled with panic. “I haven’t had a look around the property yet. There may be more guards.”
“I was worried about you,” Jennifer told him. “And…” Her eyes went toward the living. “Sam and Andrew.”
“They’re fine,” Harley assured her. “But I need you to get into Aunt Betty’s room, or I won’t be fine worrying about you.”
Jennifer nodded as their eyes met and locked. Harley didn’t know who made the first move, but they were locked into each other’s arms for a deep, searing kiss the next minute.
“Uh-um!” coming from Betty’s room, drew them apart, and Harley lifted his head to see Harriet looking at them knowingly. “Sorry to interrupt. But I have a room of people wondering what’s happening out here. And I don’t want to go in there and tell them their fearless leader is a bit busy interrogating a witness with his lips!”
“Uh… Harley… um,” Jennifer looked at him, her cheeks flaming. “He was just telling me to be careful.”
“Is that what they call sneaking in a secret smooch these days?” Harriet nodded.
“Just get inside and lock the door,” Harley ordered Harriet, who saluted him and slipped inside.
“We’ll talk when this is over,” Harley promised, stealing one more kiss before turning her toward the door. He watched her slip into the room and waited until he heard the safe door slide shut.
Once Jennifer was safe, Harley went to check out the property only to find the glass door open and Andrew lying unconscious on the floor. “Uncle Sam.”
Harley rushed outside, nearly knocking Sam off his feet.
“My bad back!” Sam grumbled. “Good grief, where’s the fire?”
“Where’s Shannon, and what happened to Andrew?”
“He’ll be okay,” Sam assured him. “But Shannon’s disappeared into the cove.”
