Page 68 of No Time Off

Manny stopped suddenly, and I bumped into the back of his shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked. I heard the concern in his voice. “You were counting, or at least that’s what it sounded like.”

“I’m fine. I was just reciting the digits of pi. It helps calm me when I’m nervous.”

“Sure. Okay. That’s a totally normal thing for a CIA agent to do. Just let me know if you start composing a symphony so I can be prepared.”

I had no idea why Manny thought I was a CIA agent and what that had to do with reciting pi, but now wasn’t the time to discuss it.

We plodded along until we arrived at the shop. Manny’s plan had us enter from the back, so we crept down a dark alley until he stopped at a door with a lockbox. It was after six by the time Manny keyed in the code and the back door popped open. He slipped inside, and I followed.

“Let me do the talking,” he advised, and I nodded.

We walked through a kitchen that, despite the early hour already had workers washing and cutting vegetables. A couple of them eyed us curiously but said nothing. Manny spotted a dark-haired man with a beard holding a clipboard and motioned for me to wait while he walked over to him. After a short hug, Manny pulled him aside and the two began talking.

Eventually, Manny waved me over. “Lexi, I’d like you to meet my cousin Ari.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said, holding out a hand. “Although I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Likewise,” Ari said, shaking my hand. “I can’t pretend I know what the bloody hell is going on, but I know Manny. One of the best men I’ve ever known. If he says you need to get into that compound, then we’ll get you in.”

“Thank you,” I said, my throat tightening.

“That said, if they catch you, I’m not sure what they’d do.” His expression hardened. “But this is our island, and we’re not about to give it up to some foreign-backed coup, especially not one sponsored by the Chinese. Oh, and by the way, my son dropped this off last night.” He handed me a piece of paper.

I turned the paper over to see a Wanted poster warning the populace about me and Slash. We were labeled as terrorists and enemies of the people, and it sent a jolt of adrenaline spiking through me.

“Holy crap,” I said.

“He told me someone left a note in an envelope at his business’s door while he and his family were at the beach,” Ari continued. “The note promised him a lucrative payment if he printed five hundred copies immediately. My son gave it to me, saying I might know what to do with it, since he doesn’t print anything without payment up front.”

“Please thank him for me,” I said, ripping the poster into tiny shreds while Manny and Ari chuckled. “I never thought I’d be featured on a Wanted poster…and certainly not on my honeymoon.” I scowled. “And did theyreallyhave to use my passport photo? That’s just diabolical.”

Manny put a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “The delivery truck leaves soon. We need to quickly disguise ourselves the best we can.”

“We have extra white jackets and hats in the back,” Ari said. “The good news is we’re virtually invisible to the Chinese. They’ll likely not give either of you a second glance.”

“The workers that usually make this delivery—do you trust them with us?” I asked. “We need them on our side.”

“Sefina and Amiri have been with me the longest and are loyal to me,” Manny assured me. “They will do as I ask, so they will do what you need them to do. They are also loyal to the prime minister, because they know she aims to protect the islands.”

“Do they know that she hasn’t resigned and is just in hiding?”

“They do, I’ve told them. They understand what’s at stake.”

“Thanks, mate,” Manny said to his cousin, and they quickly embraced again. “And don’t forget to tie yourselves up and rehearse the story of how your truck was hijacked,” Manny reminded him. “This is for your protection and the protection of your staff in case they come looking for you.”

“I understand the mission, and I’ve got this,” Ari said. “Kia manuia.”

He walked away, and I looked at Manny. “What did he say?”

“He wished us good luck. We’re going to need it.”

Manny and I made our way to the back of the store. White jackets were hanging neatly on hooks, and nearby were some white caps. Manny handed me the largest women’s jacket he could find, and I slipped it on, buttoning it up. It was snug, but it gave me the opportunity to slip another man’s jacket on over the top of it, roll up the sleeves a bit, and still give me room to move. I tucked my hair up inside the cap and stuffed another cap in my inside pocket. I was as ready as I was going to get.

Manny pulled on his jacket and cap, and we stood there looking at each other.

“Want to revisit the plan for once we get inside the compound?” I asked quietly.

“It’s not complicated, and we’ve been over it at least four times,” he replied.

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