Lethal Game (GhostWalkers 16)

“Your brothers . . .”

“Marie doesn’t know them. She knows you. If you say run, she’ll run. No hesitation. You know that. I’m enhanced. I can stay underwater far longer than Dozer can. I don’t feel the cold the way others do. Once I’m in the water, my weight is off my leg. I’m going to be far more worried about you, Marie and Jacy than myself.”

He brushed kisses over each of her eyes, her nose and finally her mouth. He was very fond of her mouth. She parted her lips and he was kissing her, bringing her body tight against his. Immediately she swept him away into another world where he only had to feel. Everything else dropped away but Amaryllis and how her body felt against his. How her mouth was hot and seductive, putting all kinds of erotic images in his head.

“Looks like you two know each other very well.”

They broke apart, laughing, turning to face the man who stood there grinning at them. Craig Williams was dressed in board shorts and a tee that said “Hittin’ the Waves Today.” His hair was slightly a mess and his dark glasses were reflective.

Malichai nodded, giving Craig a slightly sheepish grin in return. “Amaryllis is my fiancée. So, yeah, we know each other very well.”

“You’re very professional, Amaryllis,” Craig said. “I couldn’t tell. I thought maybe you were friends, but it isn’t like you’re all over each other.”

“We try to show restraint in front of the guests,” Malichai answered for her, again giving Craig a small smile of camaraderie, as if sharing that it wasn’t always that easy. “Do you visit San Diego often?”

Craig shook his head. “First time. I met a few people online and have become good friends with them over the last year or so. We’re meeting in person for the first time here in San Diego at a convention.”

“The convention to exchange ideas for world peace?” Amaryllis asked.

Craig nodded. “That’s the one. I’ve been an avid participant in the forums. It’s been shocking to see the number of countries represented and the amount of people willing to try to come up with ideas. The discussions are always respectful, although they have gotten heated occasionally, but the monitors seem to always get everyone back to the same page—respecting points of view and actually listening.”

Malichai hadn’t really thought too much about the convention being held at the San Diego Convention Center, but it was a huge facility, capable of housing thousands of people. He couldn’t help thinking of the phrase “maximum number of people killed.” If one wanted to kill a lot of people, the convention for ideas on world peace would be a good place to start. He glanced down at Amaryllis. She was looking up at him and he could see on her face that she was thinking the same thing he was.

“Are any of your friends staying at the bed-and-breakfast?” Malichai asked.

Craig shook his head. “They’re scattered around in various hotels. There are very few rooms anywhere with the convention so close.” He winked at Amaryllis. “I can see he’s not in town for world peace.”

He held out his hand to Malichai. “I’m Craig Williams.”

“Malichai Fortunes. You’ve met Amaryllis.”

“I have.” His expression changed. “There’s a rumor going around that the couple in one of the rooms carried out a murder-suicide pact right there. If that was true, the cops would be all over the place, but there is one room with tape across the door.”

Amaryllis nodded. “Unfortunately, the couple was found dead elsewhere, but we don’t have many details on what happened or how they died.”

That much was true and Malichai was proud of how she handled it. Very matter-of-factly, but her voice was tinged with sadness.

“I didn’t get the chance to meet them,” Craig said. “I normally meet people online. I spend most of my time on a computer. This is my first real foray into a live event.” He looked toward the water. “What are you two up to this morning?”

“I have to get back to help Marie,” Amaryllis said.

“I’m going for a swim this morning.” Malichai made a face. “Took a little bit of a hit and need some physical therapy. Promised, since I insisted on visiting Amaryllis, that I’d swim. Apparently, that’s good for my leg.”

“A little bit of a hit?” Craig echoed.

“He’s in the service,” Amaryllis answered, rolling her eyes. “He was shot. Several times. He wasn’t supposed to come and see me, but he never listens.”

Craig’s eyes widened in shock. “You got shot? With a gun?”

“A machine gun, actually,” Amaryllis clarified when Malichai didn’t answer.

Malichai sent her a quelling look. She wrapped her arm around his waist and gazed up at him adoringly. He had no idea if she was acting or if she meant it.

“He doesn’t like me talking about it because he’s so modest, but he saved a lot of lives.”