Page 72 of The Sea Witch's Son

I sigh again, “What matriarch insists all her men wear uniforms with a singular card stitched to their uniforms?”

“The Dragon?”

At my exasperated expression, Gus quickly flaps his hands, “No, wait. I got this.”

I watch an embarrassingly visible thought process streak across his face.

“It’s the Sea Witch.” He looks at me excitedly, “I got it, right?”

I stare at him long enough to contemplate the consequences of throwing him in the trunk with Hao.

“No, Gus. It is not my mother.”

“Oh shit.” He slaps his forehead, “I always forget you two are related.”

That comment does notdeserve a response.

Pulling out my phone, I send a message to Calista.

ME: An officer guarding the maze picked up the samples.

CALISTA: Paint the roses red, off with your head. I believe it’s time to pay your old tormentor a visit.

ME: Looking forward to it.

Chapter 24

MELODY

It’s the same number from the other night.

UNKNOWN: I take it the date didn’t go well?

Marlin’s arrogant smile bleeds through my mind. The bastard probably watched the entire date with a bucket of popcorn under one arm.

ME: You know exactly how the date went down.

Typing bubbles pop up immediately.

UNKNOWN: I couldn’t help but overhear a sentence or two.

Unbelievable.

Opening up the contact information, I fill in the appropriate name. Another message pings just as I’m saving my stalker’s profile.

MARLIN: It’s always a shame when a man cannot see beyond the exterior. Especially when the woman is as captivating as you.

ME: Good try. Flattery won’t work on me.

MARLIN: If you thought that was flattery, the bar must be set low.

I pause, rereading the message. The tone is coming off as flirtatious and playful, two things I would not expect from the captain of the swim team.

He’s usually more... direct.

ME: And what would you do to raise it?

MARLIN: Haven’t I raised it already?

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