Page 36 of Resurrection
“Mr. Marchand, I apologize on behalf of my sister.”
“She is not a child. She can apologize for herself. Which she has not.”
“Jury,” Imogen said as she whipped her head around to shoot daggers at her sister, “apologize.”
“Why? I just wanted answers.”
“Breaking and entering isn’t the way to get them.”
“Well, it almost was.”
“Not by a long shot,” the Frenchman said.
Imogen stood with a sigh. “What do you want?”
“To be left alone. To live in peace. For a beautiful woman to grace my bed and not cause me problems. And duck à l’orange. That would be lovely.”
Nic burst out laughing. “Ah, Leo. Good to see you, brother.”
Leo looked at him. “And clearly, you got the sane sister. He did warn me.”
“He? As in Mount?” Imogen asked. “He told you about us?”
“They both did. Your sister as well.”
“Are they really dead?” Imogen couldn’t keep the question inside.
Leo held up both hands. “I was simply tasked with handing out keys. That’s it. That’s all. You got your key. That is where my responsibility ends. Understand?”
“But you know something. I know you do,” Jury pleaded from behind Imogen.
“What I know is, you are trouble, and now I take you out to sea, and we come to an understanding. Yes?”
“Or what? Make me walk the plank?” Jury shot back.
“Well, this is going great,” Nic said.
“Eight hours. Give me eight hours of patience—until we reach international waters—and then we will discuss further.”
Jury’s face paled. She looked at Imogen. “You’re not going to let him murder me and get away with it, are you?”
“No one is murdering anyone.” She looked at the Frenchman. “Right?”
“Surely not. I don’t have the stomach for that.”
“Then why?—”
“Jury. Eight hours. Zip it,” Imogen said, knowing that it would be akin to the ultimate test of patience for her sister. Restraint was not part of her nature.
“Thank you,” Leo said. “In the meantime, I’ll have Edwin show you and Nic to a cabin. Make yourself comfortable there or on deck. I am keeping tabs on your sister because I still don’t trust her, especially not unattended on my ship.”
“I’m done snooping,” Jury said.
“Right. Like I believe you. Not as far as I can see you.” He glanced at the tattooed man still standing near the door. “Nic, if you are hungry, Havit is aboard for all the delights you can imagine.”
Nic laid a hand over his stomach. “Just had some beignets, but then again … everything Havit makes is amazing, so I’ll find room.”
Imogen looked at Jury. “I’ll stay with you.”
