“Funny that you thought I wouldn’t worry about it no matter when you told me,” Miri said. “So what happened?”
“It was Dr. Quinn and all his gibberish nonsense. He kept saying, ‘He’s coming. Pierre Vautour’s coming, and he’ll destroy all your lives like he did mine.’ ”
“He mentioned Vautour?”
Anissa nodded. “Yes, that asshole who fucked with Corrie and Ford in Mexico. And after I confirmed that another team with lots of gear arrived in Caracaraí a few days ago, Frank said this wasn’t what he signed up for and left.”
Vautour.The other crew had to be his.
“Great. Well, when we find the Cidade da Lua, we can send them a postcard,” Miri said.
“You mean,ifwe find it.”
Miri waved Anissa off. Now wasn’t the time for casting doubt.
“What about the men who attacked us? Were you able to figure out who they were?” Miri asked.
“No. Just a couple of dirtbags working with Vautour, I suppose.”
“And presumably Dr. Quinn?”
Anissa stopped in her tracks and turned to face Miri. “You think?”
“How else did they know how to find us?”
Anissa looked at the floor as if trying to recall the events of the last day. “I mean, I chalked up most of the crap he was saying to the concussion, but now that you mention it…” Her voice trailed off as she considered Miri’s suggestion. “Oh, by the way, that’s your stuff.”
Anissa motioned to a couple of bags in the corner of the room.
“Oh, thank God!” Miri said, diving toward the bags and pulling out a clean pair of underwear and clutching them to her chest.
“You must really love your panties,” Anissa said with a snicker.
“You try sleeping in river-soaked undies and men’s cargo shorts and then see how excitedyouare for a clean pair of underwear. Mind if I shower really quick?”
“It’s your room. Go for it.”
Miri grabbed her toiletries and a fresh set of clothes, then headed to the bathroom and started the shower. God, she’d never looked forward to a shower quite like this. It was amazing Rafa wanted to get close to her given how she probably smelled.
The water hit her face and instantly she felt rejuvenated. Sort of like the way she felt kissing Rafa. His lips awakened something in her, something she didn’t know existed. A desire. A passion. A sexiness she didn’t know she possessed.
He made her feel beautiful. Special. It had been a long time since anyone had made her feel wanted. He’d been so warm and comforting last night. If only Felix and Logan hadn’t been there. Who knew what would have happened?
Perhaps she’d find out tonight once everyone went to bed.
“How were things sleeping on the boat last night?” Anissa called from the other side of the bathroom door.
Speaking of.
Miri wiped the soapy water off her face and called out, “Good.”
“Good? Hmm…Might that have anything to do with the company you kept?”
The suggestion in Anissa’s tone couldn’t be missed, but after her goading the night before, Miri didn’t need to spill the tea. She’d never hear the end of it.
“Yeah, we all got along well,” Miri said, pausing to await Anissa’s reaction.
“I’m sure you did,” Anissa said saucily. “I noticed how quickly Rafa volunteered to stay back with you, and how quickly you agreed.”
