Page 117 of Gin & Trouble

“You two need to stay below.” Marco watched us as if unsure how to respond to our touching. Then again, I could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen me with a woman.

“No problem.” I guided Frankie to the opposite couch and sat beside her. “What’s the plan?”

“We take the yacht to Panarea, then board a plane to Comiso.” He seemed to read my mind, because he added. “I’ve had guards on this boat and the plane since Leo and I arrived. No one who isn’t in my inner circle has gotten close to either.”

“What happens when we’re on the ground in Comiso?” Frankie glanced between us.

Marco’s expression softened. “You’ll spend Christmas with our family, and a dozen or so invited guests, but as far as the rest of the world is concerned, you two are dead.”

The color drained from her face. “I thought you didn’t wantanyoneto know we were alive?”

“Once our mother found out her baby boy was alive, that plan went out the window—at least with anyone who was staying at the villa.” Marco chuckled. “You two might want to get a shower before we reach Panarea. I’m sure there will be a welcoming committee.”

Frankie perked up. “I’d love a shower.”

“Hang on a sec and I’ll join you.” As much as I’d love to get wet and naked with her, I had questions. Lots of questions.

As a general rule, our mother kept Christmas to family members only. And considering our dad’s health, I couldn’t imagine why there would be so many extra people at the villa. “Guests?”

Marco gave me his I-know-something-you-don’t look. “Leo and Dahlia are getting married on New Year’s Eve.”

While I wasn’t surprised by the news, I’d be lying if I said the timing didn’t bug me. “They were planning a wedding when they thought I was dead?”

He waved his hand. “They set the date before the explosion. Postponed it, then decided to go ahead with the ceremony when they found out you were alive.”

Nodding slowly, I said, “We’re spending Christmas with wedding guests? Is the governor there?”

“Yes, but don’t worry. If my plan works. You’ll be alive and well by New Year’s.” He turned to Frankie. “By the way, thanks for Meriwether’s login info. We were able to pin the shooting on Robert Becker. You’ll be able to return to the States without an arrest warrant hanging over your head.”

“That’s…great.” She squeezed my hand.

Marco seemed surprised by our reactions. “Don’t feel too bad for the guy. He tried to kill Leo and Dahlia. He’s getting what he deserves. Plus, Meriwether has admitted to working with Becker to make Dahlia believe she had a stalker.”

I disagreed with his Machiavellian methods, but we had bigger problems than a couple of crooked politicians. “I’m glad Dahlia and Gunnar are safe, but we need to focus on Tommaso.”

“We do, but that’s going to take time.”

Frankie rolled her lips in. “I need to get word to Iris and my sisters that I’m okay.”

“That’s not a good idea.” I pulled her closer, but she tensed. “We don’t know which side your sisters are on, and Iris probably hasn’t heard about the explosion. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Dante’s right.” Marco nodded and motioned to the couch. “Sit please. We should talk first.”

She didn’t look any happier than I felt about postponing our date with running water, but we both sat.

I asked, “What’s the plan?”

“Once everything is done, we’ll stage a rescue. Head wounds are tricky, you could have been out for weeks, amnesia, whatever. Then you and Frankie return to the States and get on with life.”

She furrowed her brow but remained quiet.

“Won’t that look suspicious? You just carried body bags onto the boat. How the hell are you going to play this?” I wanted to trust him, but I wasn’t sure where his head was when it came to Frankie. I didn’t think he’d throw her under the bus, but I had to be sure.

“If anyone saw us, and I don’t think they did, it’s not my problem if they jumped to the wrong conclusions.” He seated himself across from us.

I had the feeling there was more to the plan than he was letting on. “It’s never that easy.”

“Hope for the best and plan for the worst, brother.”

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