“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see. We might as well enjoy the day as much as we can. Once we return to New Orleans, it’ll be all business as usual.”
We stared at each other for a few seconds. I knew what he was referring to. Our little game would end. For how long remained to be seen. “Are you sure we shouldn’t keep working?”
“What’s that old adage? All work and no play?”
“Alright. Let me change quickly and we can go.”
I wasn’t used to the spontaneous side of the man. I had to admit I enjoyed the change, although if push came to shove, I’d say I preferred the dark and dangerous side to him even more.
Ten minutes later we were off.
He was in a remarkably good mood, more so than I thought he’d be after his phone calls.
“What did you learn on your marathon phone session?”
“Mmm… Well, that the gentleman fromSouthern Comforthad a shady background. That there was no interference in Miami, so Sinclair and Montgomery made it back to New Orleans in time for the jet to be gassed up. It would appear someone was attempting to draw our attention away, creating a new enemy in Miami when we didn’t have one there.”
“Classic. Split our attention in different directions. What else?” I cooed.
“That our hackers have noticed some interesting activities within our accounts. That the three men killed had no affiliation to the cartel.”
“Wow.”
He chuckled and rolled his hand around the steering wheel. “All of which leads us to being completely clueless as to what’s happening, but not about the players involved. At least Alexander is fairly certain the Brotherhood is indeed behind the subterfuge. We’ll find out with no doubts. We always do. No more business for right now. I thought we agreed.”
“We didn’t agree to anything. You said we were taking the afternoon off.”
“Well, as I already told you, what I say goes.” His laugh was even more gregarious than normal, which allowed some of the tension to ease.
As he drove through the small beach town, I snuggled into the seat, allowing the breeze from the open window to further calm my nerves.
“What if someone is watching us? Or watching me?” I stared out the passenger window as the palm trees and colorful buildings rolled by.
“Have you seen anyone?”
“No, but the best stalkers and assassins are never seen.”
“Then I’ll handle them.”
I turned my head, studying his expression. He was serious. “How many people would you kill for me?”
“All of them.”
“Wow. Everyone on earth.”
“Well, with a few exceptions like your family.” With his dark sunglasses on, he appeared very much the gangster, only out of an episode of some Miami crime syndicate drama. He’d even foregone wearing a tie, which meant the world was coming to an end.
He was teasing, but the sight of his weapon in between the seats did nothing to bolster my self-confidence in the situation. When he turned down a road toward the beach, I sat up. “We’re going to another beach? What was wrong with the one by the hotel?”
“Nothing. This one is just special for a different reason.” He glanced over at me and this was one of those times I wanted to see his pupils.
“What are you up to?”
“The guy behind the reception desk mentioned this place and I thought what the heck? Nothing weird.”
“Uh-huh. Where did you go this morning?”
