Page 377 of The Romance Adventure

“Glandman. Or someone else,” CJ adds, his gaze skating over me.

They had to be Von Dräger’s men. I know it.

“Instead of going to the dock in town, head to my house. It’s safer there until we get this figured out.”

In low tones, Magnus assures Lally that everything is going to be fine.

Interestingly, CJ doesn’t seem overly concerned about the chase, or me, though his eyes are sharp like he’s taking in every inch of our surroundings.

I glance over my shoulder as we cruise through the canals leading to Palm Cove Villa, but the boat is long gone. Only the frigate birds swoop and rustle in their habitats.

After we tie off at the dock, I bring Lally inside to freshen up. She’s relatively calm, all things considered. I imagine if Isla or Harley had been with us, it would’ve been a very different story.

“Seems like this treasure hunt is turning into the hunters being hunted,” Lally says when we get inside and I give her a glass of ice water.

“Dangerous game,” I say.

“Certainly not real estate,” Lally says to me.

With a light and hopefully convincing laugh, I say, “No, definitely not, or much like taking care of dogs and small animals.”

She puffs an exhale like the events of the last hour are just catching up with her. She gestures to the hall and nods a few times. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room. Splash some water on my face.”

I head upstairs to do the same. Through the bathroom window comes the rise and fall of CJ and Magnus’s voices.

“Understandably, you’d be concerned,” Magnus says.

“Keep an eye on her.” I can’t tell if CJ’s tone is one of suspicion or worry about my safety.

I peer out the window. The landscaping and palm fronds block most of my view.

“From what I saw, she’s more than capable of taking care of herself.” Magnus chuckles.

“Of course, she is, but I mean against these bad guys.”

Magnus chuckles again. “That’s what I meant.”

What skills of mine did he notice that aren’t typical of a real estate agent?

“Have you seen my wife?” CJ asks.

“Yes, we have. She’s far too good for you.”

“Does it seem odd to you that she wasn’t at all ruffled by men in a boat coming after us? Did you notice her quick reflexes when she caught that nylon rope for the anchoring rode? Had it been a snake, she would’ve sliced the thing in half.”

CJ definitely observed my unique skill set.

“You have a special woman there.” Magnus plants his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“She’s special all right. I just don’t want anything to happen to her.” CJ glances toward the window as if he senses I’m up here.

I jump back, out of sight.

By special, does he mean special agent? Officer? Spy?

The brothers confer for a few more moments, but their voices are lower now, and I can’t hear.

Two minutes later, CJ’s footsteps come from the stairs. “Who is ready for some Halloween fun?”