Page 71 of The Devil's Daughter

“It’s his yacht, where we’ve been staying this past week,” Elle says.

Mason’s eyes light up, and beside him, Maddox almost chokes on his food.

“You donotwant to loan this man a boat,” Maddox says after clearing his throat.

“You’re Navy guys, aren’t you? I don’t see a problem.”

“It isn’t a problem,” Mason says, shaking his head a little too enthusiastically.

“Thatisthe problem,” Maddox says. “How big is it?”

“Sixty meters.”

“It has a helipad,” Elle interjects. “And a pool. Andtwostaterooms. And Wi-Fi. And a gym, and…”

“Hell, I’m sold,” Callie says.

“Fuuuck,” Mason says, looking for all the world like he just creamed in his pants.

“This,” Maddox says, pointing at his brother and giving me an I-told-you-so look. “This is why you shouldn’t tempt him. He’s been known to take anything with a big enough engine for a joyride. You let him have the keys to your toys, the next thing you know, he’ll actually sail it to Bali.”

“Theo’s a capable captain. I think he can handle your brother. I also think he’d be more than happy to sail to Bali, if that’s where you want to go.”

“I draw the line at anywhere that takes more than two weeks of travel time,” Callie says. “Hawaii is a maybe. Why not Cabo?”

“I’ll take you wherever you want, as long as I get to sit in the captain’s chair,” Mason says.

I’ve created a monster. Laughing, I shake my head. “You’ll have to take that up with Theo. Wherever theBrizogoes, he goes. He won’t give up that seat.”

Mason narrows his eyes, already plotting. “Does he play poker?”

“Yes, but he’s a fucking shark.”

Callie rests a hand on my arm. “Don’t worry about him. We haven’t even set a date yet.”

“This will happen,” Mason says. “Babe, we’re setting a date the very second Marco’s home from the op. Then we’re taking a cruise.”

The conversation shifts to wedding planning. With all three sisters present, as well as two mothers, plus the bride-to-be, it quickly overtakes any talk of high-powered toys. My stomach flips, though, because it occurs to me that a permanent arrangement between Elle, the twins, and myself might be too complicated for a proper wedding. I know I’m jumping the gun even thinking about it, but it puts me in a slightly sour mood all the same.

The servers clearing our dinner plates is my cue to head back up on stage. I give Elle a peck on the cheek without even thinking and say, “See you in a few.”

What I did hits me when I’m a few steps onto the stage, and I hazard a cautious glance at the table. All three of her brothers, as well as Leo, are giving me death glares now. Arturo is grinning like a fool, as if he just watched me fall into a trap. It only slows me for a second, but I recover with my opening joke, and the rest of my presentation is either dull enough or entertaining enough to cool them down by the time I finish.

The hired emcee takes over running through his spiel to ask for donations, and I head back to the table. Before I can sit again, Karl Thomas stops me.

“Mr. Stavros, I need you to come with me. We captured someone hiding out in the Apollo command module in the rotunda. We think he’s our guy. We just need you to come see if you know him. I already notified the Quins. They’re on their way to the rotunda now.”

My stomach flips and I glance up at Karl, nodding to play off my hesitation at immediately following him. “Give me a moment,” I say, looking him in the eyes and hoping I can gauge whether he means me ill. He’s his all-business, competent self as he moves a few yards away to wait.

I bend over to whisper in Elle’s ear, “Security thinks they have the guy. I’m going to go see if I can identify him.”

“Really?” she asks, turning and starting to rise. “Let me come with you.”

“No, stay and enjoy your time with your family. The dance floor should be opening up soon.”

As if on cue, the music changes from dinner music to dance music. Mason hauls Callie out of her seat and they hit the dance floor, joined by several other guests.

“Be careful,” she says, squeezing my hand and glancing at Karl dubiously.

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