The children and I make our way down the path without further interference, but run-walking across the exposed dock is terrifying. Thankfully, the lush trees block most of the view from the resort.
A handsome man wearing canvas flip-flops, frayed khaki shorts, and an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt over a white tank top jogs down the gangway to meet us. He’s sporting a deep tan and slightly overgrown hair whose tips have been bleached by the sun, but his accent sounds like English royalty.
“Hey there. I’m Tolly, Erik’s friend. Let’s get everyone on the boat as quickly as possible, yes?”
I translate his message and lead the kids aboard. Tolly startles when he realizes who I am.
“Ant,” he says, putting his hand to his chest. “You are the bravest person I have ever met. And I know Erik.”
I mirror his gesture, then we refocus on the task of getting these kids safely on the boat. Waiting for us on board are two very large men in tactical gear holding automatic rifles. Both are tall, handsome, and well-muscled with shaved heads. The only significant difference between them is the color of their trimmed beards—one is an orangey Irish red, and the other a rich shiny black.
Another man, older, sharply dressed in some kind of boat steward uniform, gestures toward the yacht’s nicely appointed saloon. The tactical twin with the red beard checks my backpack as the kids file into the posh room, clinging to each other.
As terrified as these children are, they still look at me with trust.
“I need to go back to grab the house staff,” I whisper to Tolly as Red Beard returns my backpack. Wasting no time, I pull off the dress, revealing a tank top and cargo shorts. “They’ll be waiting for me at the top of the path. After that, I need to help Erik find the rest of the kids and place the explosive devices on all the buildings.”
He nods, offering his arm for support as I unbuckle the Mary Janes and strip off the frilly socks. “My team here already helped Erik with bomb placement, so you just need to focus on the kids.”
“You have a team?” I ask as I shove my feet into thick socks and combat boots.
“Technically, they’re part of my estate’s security force,” he explains, pointing to the nearly identical merchants of death, “but they don’t like it when I leave them behind in the sleepy English countryside.”
Raising my brow at the number of weapons his guys are packing, I pull out a makeup wipe. “Tolly, question,” I say as I remove the first layer of sparkle.
“Yes, Ant.”
I gesture at the two hovering specimens as I grab my shoulder holster from my backpack. “You borrow these guys from MI6?”
The guy with the black beard grunts and Red Beard curls his lip.
Tolly laughs. “I believe you’ve offended the Ronalds.”
I tilt my head as I holster my gun. “You have more than one Ronald?”
He lifts his chin toward the pair in question, both of whom are giving me the stink eye. Not exactly the people I want to offend in the middle of a dangerous—and still very active—op.
“Apologies, gentlemen.”
I know better than to ask further questions about their service histories, which seems to set the Ronalds at ease.
Tapping my chin, I turn back to Tolly. “Mind if I ask another question?”
“If you dare,” he answers with a charming grin.
“When you sayestate, do you meancastle?” I ask, grabbing another wipe to go after any makeup I missed.
He shrugs. “Well…not in the strictest sense, no. There aren’t any turrets if that’s what you’re asking.”
I narrow my eyes. “But I bet there’s a title.”
Tolly draws back, placing a not-so-innocent hand on his chest. “Someone likes his British dramas.”
I do, but that’s beside the point. Attempting to maintain some semblance of dignity while struggling to wrap my knife belt around my ribs, I send him my fiercest arched brow.
He bites his lower lip, then huffs a laugh. “Fine,” he answers with an exaggerated bow. “Lord Ptolemy James Filbert Llewellyn Middleton III of West Shropshire at your service. Happy?”
Even in the middle of all this, I can’t help but crack up. “I’m thrilled. I could also use a little help. Do you think your Ronalds would mind going back up with me?”
