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“Mike’s wife, Catalina, has an old friend who agreed to let us stay at one of his cabins. At least here we’ll have some protection, and we’ll be hidden away from the public.” He parked and looked around before he opened his door and stepped out. I joined him as the others slowly woke. Paul handed me my bags, and I followed him to the stairs of the cabin. He felt along the gutter until he snagged a key.
The smell of something freshly baked filled my senses when he swung open the door. “Wait here.” He pulled his gun, and I stepped out of his way as he cleared the cabin. A moment later, he returned. “All clear.” While Paul clicked on some lights, I took in the large windows and French doors that led out to a patio and dock. I set my bags down and opened the doors and stepped outside to let the salty air brush over me.
“Mike, thank the wife,” Mark sighed. “Am I delirious, or do I smell cookies?” He put a hand over his heart. “Man, this is way better than a hotel room.”
I came back in and leaned my hip on the doorframe as I watched them set up their command station. They made it look as simple as breathing. They worked in unison. Each one knew exactly what they had to do, and I suddenly felt out of place.
“All right, there’s seven of us and three bedrooms,” Cole announced. “There’s two queens in that room.” He pointed. “Paul and Mark, you’re with me in one room. That one has one king, so Keith, John, and Mike in that room, and there’s a king in that one. You take that one, Nicole.”
“So, there’s a bed for all except one of you?” I didn’t like that idea.
“Trust me, we’re used to it.” Mike smiled.
Though I liked my space, I was supposed to be a part of the team, and if they were all bunking up, so could I. “I can share a bed with someone.” They all stopped and looked at me. “Seriously, I’ve bunked with Ben many times.”
“Paul.” Cole nodded. He didn’t miss a beat, and I liked that, but I saw the smirk on Mark’s face when Paul grabbed his bag from the other room and brought it into mine. I was hoping for anyone else, but I also knew he was the only one who didn’t have a wife. The last thing I wanted to do was cause trouble for any of them later.
Paul tossed his bag on the couch, and I stepped into the room, I hoped he wasn’t pissed off.
“Sorry if I made things weird.”
“You didn’t,” he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes. He looked tired and stressed.
“Okay.” I pulled out my laptop and plugged it into the wall and checked my email. My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my purse and stepped outside into the warm breeze.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?” His tone had a bite to it, and I took notice of the time, somewhat regretting giving him this new number.
“Holbox.”
“Good. You’re nice and close. You ready for the party?”
“Yes.”
“You know what you need to do?”
“Yes.” I hesitated and knew he wasn’t going to like me asking questions. “The guest list hasn’t changed?” Silence.
“No.”
“Good.” I felt my shoulders relax.
“Don’t get sidetracked. Get in and get out, but not until you have what I need.”
I nodded like he could see me. “When have I not?” This time I hung up on him and closed my eyes. He was such a dick.
I turned to go back inside but jumped when I saw Paul leaning against the door, watching me.
“Who was that?”
“Jack,” I lied.
“Since when do Washington Post employees call this time of night?”
“One step forward and three steps back, huh?” I moved past him, but he grabbed my arm and swung me to look at him. He stared into my eyes as if to read my thoughts. “I see we’re right back to where we were before the taco truck.” My voice was low and there was a level of hurt to it.
He let me go, and I grabbed my bag and headed for the bathroom.