Page 52 of The Incubus and the Bodyguard

Delphine’s phone buzzed. She checked the message on the screen and frowned.

“My contact at the Port Authority confirms Delroy has a flight booked to Kingston tonight.”

“Then we better not waste any more time.” Vlad reached for the door handle.

Delphine grabbed his wrist, her movement so fast it made him flinch. The contact sent heat dancing across her skin despite the charged situation.

“We do this my way,” she said firmly. “You’re still vulnerable without your powers.”

Vlad scowled. “I can handle myself.”

Delphine bit back a curse.

“I don’t doubt that.” Her grip tightened fractionally. “But we’re not taking unnecessary risks. Not this time.”

They locked eyes. The air grew thick between them.

Tarang huffed from the back seat, breaking the tension.

“Fine.” Vlad relented. “What’s the plan?”

“We go in the front. I’ll take point.” She released his wrist and checked her weapon. “You watch my six and let me do the talking.”

“And if he runs?”

A cold smile curved her mouth. “I’d love to see him try.”

They exited the vehicle and crossed the road.

The bar’s interior reeked of stale beer and cigarettes. A handful of patrons hunched over their drinks at scattered tables, their bleary gazes barely registering their entrance as they watched a baseball game on the TV on the wall. Caribbean music played softly from hidden speakers and the smell of something greasy wafted through the swinging doors leading to the kitchen.

Delphine navigated the floor, her stride purposeful but unhurried.

Vlad and Tarang followed, the familiar invisible to all but the two of them.

The bartender was a heavyset man with tattoos and graying dreadlocks. His eyes narrowed when they approached.

Delphine stopped in front of him, undaunted by his frown.

“We’re looking for Andre,” she said curtly.

“Don’t know no Andre,” he grunted.

His voice failed all of her truth detector tells.

“Really? Maybe you know him as Delroy.” She placed a mugshot on the counter.

The bartender’s expression didn’t change.

Had she not been a super soldier, Delphine would have probably missed the infinitesimal flicker in his eyes.

A soft click reached her ears, the sound low enough to be drowned out by the noise from the TV but not so low that it could escape her hearing.

A door marked ‘Staff Only’ had just closed to the right.

Delphine was already moving.

“Take the back!” she yelled at Vlad.

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