Kick Back - Susi Hawke Page 0,10

that it was legit should we ever need to prove it. I made a mental apology to the assistant who would undoubtedly get in trouble when the log was found missing and carefully closed the cabinet where I'd found the book before running for the secret panel. I hit the lever and waited in the stone passageway for it to close before I felt safe to leave.

Right before the panel closed, I realized my mistake. I'd forgotten to turn off the light! Shit. I was thankful that at least I'd thought to wear scent blockers for this mission. I barely breathed, hoping nobody came close enough to the panel to hear my heart beating. I was light-footed enough that I considered tiptoeing away, but knew myself well enough to know that I would never rest unless I knew whether or not I was being pursued.

I listened carefully as two men conversed. "See? I told you I saw a light under the door. We’d have lost our spots guarding the king if we'd missed something so simple. Never doubt me, Damien."

"Shut up, Gino. I get it, you were right and I was wrong. There's nobody here, though, so I was also partially right. Fuck, that assistant Simon probably left it on when he left yesterday or King Richard came in to get something. You and I both know he'd never think to turn off a light. Sniff the air. Nobody's been in here other than them or one of us. You're being paranoid. A necessary job qualification, sure, but unnecessary in this case. We're cool, man. Nobody's getting in trouble today."

It was silent for a few seconds before the one named Damien grudgingly responded. "Okay, you're right. I don't smell anyone other than Simon or King Richard and members of the royal guard team. Let's get out of here, we're off watch in twenty minutes and I'd rather not run into King Richard or Queen Hannah this close to the end of our shift. I have plans with my girl tonight and no desire to work late."

Gino chuckled and I heard them walking toward the door. "No shit. All we need is for them to ask us to run an errand or handle a small task that will end up taking all night. The last time Queen Hannah asked me to do her a quick favor, it ended up taking over five hours. Did I ever tell you about that? I was so mad, she actually made me—" His voice was muffled and I heard the click of the door closing.

As much as I would've enjoyed hearing whatever she'd made him do, I knew when it was time to get gone and headed to the safety of my room. I raced through the passages, hoping nobody from Darius’s family chose that time to make use of them to sneak from one area to another, only relaxing when I was safely locked inside my room with the logbook stowed in the bottom of my suitcase.

Whew. That was a close one.

3

Clarence

I was stunned when Nash escorted me and my three charges to wait for Darius on his plane. And by on his plane, I mean right out in the open and seated like normal passengers. "I don't know about this, my friend. Normally Darius has our special passengers like this shift and hide in the cargo area. I'm not sure I'm comfortable sitting here in the cabin where anyone could find us. The crew will definitely see them."

Nash stood in the open doorway, his eyes scanning the field while the pilot prepared for takeoff. "Like I told you, Father Clarence, my brother sent me a text. There isn’t any crew on this flight aside from the pilot, and if he needs help, I’m licensed and can step in. If we want a drink, we can grab it ourselves. And I think we all know to put on our damned seat belts. Darius and my brothers are on their way here and they aren't telling the palace they left until we’re in the air. They didn't bring any guards and we made sure not to be caught on camera, right?"

That was true. He had asked my help with locating any cameras that weren’t immediately visible to the naked eye. Only someone used to sneaking around the island would know the blind spots. Basically, someone like me. But still. I couldn't help but be nervous.

"Forgive me, friend. I shouldn't have questioned you when you're putting