there are too many for one to be the best.”
“Then we’ll go with green, like your eyes. Stainless steel appliances, commercial-grade six-burner gas range. Maybe dark gray for the cabinets.”
“Your eyes are gray. I like gray.”
“A lot of open or glass fronts on them—for those pretty dishes of yours. Walk-in pantry, farm sink, big windows. South facing so you can have your herbs in pots through the winter. Good start,” he said as he filled a pot with water.
“Can it be near the sea?”
“Hey, dream kitchen, remember? The world’s your oyster.”
“Oysters are very small,” she began, then understood. “An expression.”
“You got it. It means you can have anything you want.”
“I’d want the dream kitchen in a house near the sea. And we would cook in it together every night.”
He looked over then, and she felt him start to speak. But Riley came rushing in.
“Malmon’s in London.” She grabbed a glass, poured wine. “My contact says he’s been seen going and coming from this house in Hyde Park, one that belongs to this rich dude and his third wife. And they haven’t been seen for a couple days. More? Malmon’s butler hanged himself. Police investigated—no foul play, straight suicide.”
“Why the butler?” Sawyer wondered.
“Can’t say, but no signs of drugs, struggle, force. Word is, Malmon’s making arrangements to rent a villa in Capri, and tapping some of his mercs for the trip.”
“They know where we are, but with him still in London, putting it together, we’ve got some time yet.”
“Nerezza knows,” Annika pointed out. “She must know if this Malmon does. She could come sooner.”
“We’ll be ready,” Sawyer assured her. “And as far as ready, dinner nearly is.”
“Riley is to set the table.”
“What? Oh, right.”
“I’m making brush-etta.”
“Bruschetta,” Sawyer corrected.
Annika mouthed the correct pronunciation as Riley grabbed dishes.
As they ate together, all six, and planned, Annika kept an eye on the sky. Nerezza would send her creatures through the sky.
Later, she stepped out front and watched the sea. When Sawyer came out, she let herself lean against him.
“You should try to get some sleep. I really think we’ve got a couple days yet.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I think she’ll use Malmon first, see what he can do, if he can cause some damage. We hurt her last time, and she won’t forget that. And she failed, so it figures she’ll try something else. Malmon’s the something else.”
“You can’t let him hurt you.”
“Don’t intend to. What else?”
“I like to hike. Tomorrow we’ll walk in the hills, but . . . we won’t go into the sea. In Corfu, I could go down to it late at night or very early in the day. Now it’s too far.”
“I can take you down.” He drew out his compass.
“You would?”
“Sure. You can get in a quick swim, then you need to sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a hot, hard climb. The pool’s going to have to do after that. Go ahead, get your suit.”
When she smiled, sliding her gaze up to him under her lashes, he nodded.
“Okay, I get it. That kind of swim. Well, it should be late enough for it.”
“I don’t change the legs until I’m in the water and away from the shore.”
“All right. Ready?” he asked and took her hand.
“Oh, yes.”
She held tight as they flew.
CHAPTER SIX
With her hand still in Sawyer’s, Annika found herself on a little pebbled beach. Sheltered by rocks and cliff walls and lit by only the light of the waning moon, it struck her as both romantic and beautiful.
“Oh! This is so nice. It’s like closing the door to the room. Private.”
“I scouted around a little, in case you needed a spot.”
How could she not love him? How could she not give her heart to such a heart?
“You’re kind. Kindness is a strength, so you’re very strong. You’ll swim with me.”
“I’ll keep watch.”
“You said we had time before they come.”
“Yeah.”
“So you can swim.” She took his hands, drew him closer to the water. She would never use the siren’s song to lure him, but her eyes seduced. “It will help you sleep, too.”
“I don’t have any trunks.”
“You have the something else? Under your pants. If you’re shy.”
If that didn’t make him feel like an idiot, nothing would. “Yeah, I’ve got them.” He pulled a chain out of the compass, locked it around his neck before he pulled off his T-shirt.
Annika simply slithered out of the dress, stood naked in the silvered light.
“Blin! You could warn a guy.”
“What is that word? Blin?” she asked, and picked up the dress,