Bay of Sighs (The Guardians Trilogy 2)

“Can’t say, but no signs of drugs, struggle, force. Word is, Malmon’s making arrangements to rent a villa in Capri, and tapping some of his mercs for the trip.”

“They know where we are, but with him still in London, putting it together, we’ve got some time yet.”

“Nerezza knows,” Annika pointed out. “She must know if this Malmon does. She could come sooner.”

“We’ll be ready,” Sawyer assured her. “And as far as ready, dinner nearly is.”

“Riley is to set the table.”

“What? Oh, right.”

“I’m making brush-etta.”

“Bruschetta,” Sawyer corrected.

Annika mouthed the correct pronunciation as Riley grabbed dishes.

As they ate together, all six, and planned, Annika kept an eye on the sky. Nerezza would send her creatures through the sky.

Later, she stepped out front and watched the sea. When Sawyer came out, she let herself lean against him.

“You should try to get some sleep. I really think we’ve got a couple days yet.”

“Why do you think that?”

“I think she’ll use Malmon first, see what he can do, if he can cause some damage. We hurt her last time, and she won’t forget that. And she failed, so it figures she’ll try something else. Malmon’s the something else.”

“You can’t let him hurt you.”

“Don’t intend to. What else?”

“I like to hike. Tomorrow we’ll walk in the hills, but . . . we won’t go into the sea. In Corfu, I could go down to it late at night or very early in the day. Now it’s too far.”

“I can take you down.” He drew out his compass.

“You would?”

“Sure. You can get in a quick swim, then you need to sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a hot, hard climb. The pool’s going to have to do after that. Go ahead, get your suit.”

When she smiled, sliding her gaze up to him under her lashes, he nodded.

“Okay, I get it. That kind of swim. Well, it should be late enough for it.”

“I don’t change the legs until I’m in the water and away from the shore.”

“All right. Ready?” he asked and took her hand.

“Oh, yes.”

She held tight as they flew.

CHAPTER SIX

With her hand still in Sawyer’s, Annika found herself on a little pebbled beach. Sheltered by rocks and cliff walls and lit by only the light of the waning moon, it struck her as both romantic and beautiful.

“Oh! This is so nice. It’s like closing the door to the room. Private.”

“I scouted around a little, in case you needed a spot.”