Page 69 of Wired Strong

It was okay that his hug felt loving.

Finally, Raveaux set her back, squeezing her shoulders. “All right?” His eyes were the rich brown of espresso.

“I think I’ll take some of that tea now,” Sophie said.

“It should be ready.”

They sat. He poured. They drank.

Finally, Sophie said, “I like her. Heri.”

“I like her, too.”

“You should date her,” Sophie said. “She’s attracted to you.”

“We’re spending time together,” Raveaux said. “Heri’s—fun.”

“That’s not a word anyone’s ever called me,” Sophie said morosely. “Jake was fun.” Her eyes filled again. “I miss him so much.”

Raveaux covered her hand with his. “You’ll always miss him. I’ll always miss Gita. But they are gone, and we are here, and somehow we must go on.” He removed his hand from hers, and Sophie missed its warmth. “More tea?” He quirked a brow.

“Please,” she said, and they finished the pot.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Connor

Day 24

Connor dressed carefullyin western clothing as Nam packed his bag for their trip.

Two weeks had passed since the Yam Khûmk?n teams had been sent out looking for Pim Wat. They had come up dry; Pim Wat seemed to have disappeared off the planet. Connor had even gone to Bangkok to visit Malee, Sophie’s aunt, in hope of procuring more information.

Malee had told him the harrowing tale of Pim Wat showing up at her house in order to mutilate her, but she had nothing useful otherwise. “My sister likes shopping,” she’d said. “And she has a new face. She’s probably gone to one of the fashion capitals to make a nest for herself.”

Of his little cohort, Kupa agreed with Malee that Pim Wat had taken one of her “bug-out bags” and adopted a new identity somewhere far away. “She is waiting for everyone to lower their guard before she reappears to kill those who hurt her,” Kupa said with chilling simplicity.

They had activated their spy networks in Paris, Rome, Madrid, London, and New York.

Still nothing.

In the meantime, Connor had dialogued with the international team through Sophie, and submitted a hand-drawn sketch of Pim Wat’s new face for their facial recognition software.

Connor hadn’t been surprised at the news that the team wouldn’t give him an immunity deal on the Master’s death alone; and it didn’t matter. He wasn’t ready to return to the United States.

He and his three friends, plus a separate chopper carrying a squad of personal guards, were on their way to the Philippines to investigate the Master’s hidden lair.

* * *

Pali Island,owned by the Yam Khûmk?n, was nestled in a deep bay off of the coast of Palawan, considered the most picturesque, and also one of the Philippines’ biggest islands.

Connor gazed around the rustic Palawan Airport as his team, consisting of Kupa, Nam, and Nine, came down the stairs of the jet. Behind them, carrying their various baggage and food supplies, was his security team of trained Yam ninjas. The island was so remote that they’d planned as if they wouldn’t have any supplies, and packed for a week.

The tropical heat immediately wilted Connor’s shirt collar and made his pants stick to his legs, as he strode toward the tin-roofed building that served as this part of Palawan’s small airport outpost. Contacts from the Yam were everywhere, and they’d made the travel very smooth, as a driver met the group and took them in a large van to a nearby harbor. They climbed on board a flat-bottomed transport boat with benches around the sides, and a shade cover.

The garrulous captain began a conversation with Nam, who knew a little Ilocano. The two conversed as Connor sat in the bow and stared out at the small, verdant atolls and clear turquoise waters. His sunglasses cut the glare as he took in the sparkling water all around him, so transparent that he could see the bright colors of coral on the bottom and the darting movements of fish.

They were moving fast enough to get a little breeze going, and Connor was grateful as the wind dried the sweat from his brow and his shirt.

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