They both turned to face the poker player, and Alexei scowled at him. “Nyet. Game finished.”
The man came to a stop and held up a hand in an apologetic manner. He didn’t seem put off by Alexei’s attitude at all. “I’ve a friend who wants to meet you.”
“We’re not interested,” Sean replied coolly.
“This friend is a mutual acquaintance. Tall, royal, electric, and a pain in the arse. Sound familiar?”
The low, careful response had Alexei blinking in surprise. He only knew one royal pain in the ass, and he didn’t think they’d run into that man here.
Lt. Colonel Liam Wessex, youngest son to Prince Samuel, Earl of Wessex, was one of Jamie’s best friends. A former SAS officer and current co-leader of the Royal Legion, the United Metahuman Guardians’ top field team out of the UK, Liam was the last person Alexei thought they’d get an invitation from at the resort.
Which either meant the man in front of them was lying and the enemy, or Liam really was on-site for reasons Alexei knew they wouldn’t like.
Sean tugged on Alexei’s hand, drawing them over to the side of the hallway rather than in the center, keeping his expression friendly. Alexei smoothed out his own scowl even though he didn’t stop glaring at the stranger.
“Name?” Alexei demanded.
“Charlie,” came the quick, easy reply.
Alexei doubted that was the man’s real name. Charlie screamedspyto him. Alexei hated spies, and the only exception he made was for his husband.
“Not go anywhere with you.”
“I thought as much.” Charlie blinked, head tilting slightly to the side. “Ring them, Knight. They want a reference.”
Knight was Liam’s code name in the field, but everyone knew it these days. Ever since Liam had revealed he was a metahuman when fighting beside Jamie back in spring, his semi-private life had gone fully public. Alexei hadn’t paid too much attention to Liam’s predicament when their own had taken months to sort out.
Alexei’s comms beeped with an incoming call, which he accepted with a sigh. “Dvorkin.”
His response was echoed by Sean, and Alexei allowed himself a happy little smile even as a familiar voice came over the line.
“Sorry to interrupt your dinner reservations, but I’ve ordered room service for you lot if you want to join me,” Liam said, his upper-class English accent lacking any stressors that would’ve indicated he was under any kind of duress and needed assistance.
“On honeymoon,” Alexei said testily.
“Yes, I know. Congratulations on the wedding. I hope you liked my gift.”
“The sports car was a little over-the-top,” Sean replied dryly.
“I doubt Alexei thinks so.” Liam’s quiet laughter faded away. “I’m terribly sorry to disturb you, but I wouldn’t if we didn’t have a good reason. Do join me for dinner. Please.”
Alexei sighed heavily. They hadn’t even been here for a full day before it seemed trouble had found them. Normally, he wouldn’t mind a mission to break up his job training agents, but this was supposed to be their honeymoon.
Sean caught Alexei’s eye before answering for them both. “We’ll be there.”
“Cheers.”
The line cut out, and Charlie—if that was his name—gave them a faint nod. “Follow me, and try not to look like you want to murder me.”
Sean gave Alexei a pointed look, and he shrugged. He could play along, even if he didn’t want to. He flexed his fingers in Sean’s grip, trying to tug his hand free, but Sean refused to let him go. It settled something inside Alexei, knowing Sean would keep him safe if shit hit the fan.
The Quinte Royale luxury resort consisted of multiple buildings spread out over most of the island. It resembled a mini city in ways, with different amenities offered in each of the separate main resort buildings. While their suite was located in the section that catered to the extremely wealthy where money wasn’t an issue, Charlie led them to the next building over via a chauffeured car.
The suite of rooms they eventually made it to was much smaller than the one they were staying in for a week. It felt more crowded due to the team of agents who’d set up shop in the living space, hard at work at portable terminals.
The door to the master bedroom slid open, and Liam stepped out, giving them a tired smile. “Apologies for ruining your night. I’ve room service in here for the four of us and enough alcohol to get pissed on if we were human.”
Liam was broad in the shoulder, but not quite as tall as Alexei. His dark blond hair was in need of a trim, and the scruff on his face couldn’t take away from the weariness in his hazel eyes.
