Page 47 of Wicked Shadows
“It’s two-fold, actually. First, you’re going to the spa for a lot of pampering and girly stuff. After that is a surprise I refuse to spoil, so you’ll just have to wait and see.”
“You’re not going to the spa with me? For a couple’s massage?”
“No, I’m not letting some guy put his hands all over me—or you. I booked the only lady masseuse who was open for you, and I’ll just wait patiently until you’re finished.”
“You could’ve booked the guy for me, you know.”
“Hell, no, I couldn’t have either.”
Elle snorted with laughter at his refusal. “You know the studio brings in massage therapists for us, and sometimes they’re male. It’s okay. Just because he’s a man doesn’t mean it’s wrong or bad.”
“It is wrong for another man to have his hands on you, and it will be bad when my hands are on him.”
“What about when I have to film a nude scene or a sex scene with another actor? How wrong or bad will that be?”
“Deadly. It’ll be deadly wrong all the way around.”
“You’d better hurry with that plan for us to be together all the time, then. That scenario will arise if I stay in movies long enough. Not that you have anything to worry about because there’s nothing romantic about the scene itself. But the camera and editing magic can definitely fool you.”
His responding growl conveyed his displeasure with her answer.
“And we’re back at the heliport. I hope you’ve both enjoyed your flight,” the pilot said into their headphones.
Elle and Devon cut their eyes to each other at the same time. They’d become so comfortable with their privacy that they’d forgotten the pilot could hear their entire conversation. She chuckled lightly and dropped her head in her hands, shielding her face in embarrassment.
“Yes, we loved it. Sorry you had to suffer through our whole conversation. I’m afraid you’ve spoiled us here with a sheltered vacation, and we’ve enjoyed the seclusion a little too much.”
“Not to worry, miss. This radio has a convenient button that mutes your conversation for the pilot. When I have it muted, I just watch to see if you’re speaking to me or not. Usually, the passengers talk amongst themselves and relive their stay. It’s all part of the appeal of this resort.”
When they exited the helicopter, Devon walked Elle to the spa and left her at the front desk. “Enjoy your Princess Elle package.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I will.” She rose up on her toes and kissed him before he got away.
Once outside the spa, he walked to the railing of the terrace and waited. Within minutes, he felt the weight of eyes on him and sensed the presence of someone too close to be a coincidence.
“Just a suggestion, but if you value your eyes and limbs where they are, I suggest you get out here now.” Shadow spoke to the air, letting his voice carry to his watcher.
“I’ve heard your skills were incredible. But the stories could never match the real-life action.”
“Rogers. You son of a bitch. If I find out you’ve been lurking outside my room and getting your rocks off watching my girl and me, I’ll force-feed those rocks to you before I snap your fucking neck.”
“I’m not that stupid. Besides, I just got here late last night. They wouldn’t let me anywhere near your room. The target just arrived yesterday, and this is the only chance we’ve had to take him out of play. He’s preparing to move a shipment of children. We’re sanctioned to neutralize him. The syringe is taped under the bench beside you.
“Older man, completely white hair, naturally bronze skin. He has lunch reservations on the veranda in fifteen minutes. Table for one. He likes to eat alone. His table will be in a secluded spot. Handle this, and go enjoy the rest of your vacation. You picked a hell of a spot.”
“Why don’t you handle it and save us both the trouble?”
“He’s above my pay grade. Should something go wrong, we’ll need your unique skill set to handle it.”
“It’s past time for you to upgrade, then. Stop depending on me when you’re afraid to get your hands dirty. Or when you’re simply afraid.”
“I’m not supposed to tell you, but the analysts think he could be connected to Ava’s abduction. They didn’t give me concrete intel, but for them to even mention it tells me they’re at least one thousand percent certain.”
“Oh, he’s definitely a fucking dead man then.”
Shadow reached under the bench seat beside him and retrieved the syringe. He knew it well—he’d helped perfect the current design. Small and easy to conceal in the palm of his hand, a simple push of a button released the needle and the contents in quick succession. He could be in and out of the area before the effects of the medication took hold.
The emergency team that would pick up the victim during his medical crisis were prearranged personnel from the company. Their only task was to help him along to the light and complete the mission. The medical examiner, also on the payroll, would rule his death as natural causes, the mixture of his blood pressure medication in combination with the elevated levels of potassium chloride in his blood would appear to be no more than he ingested too much table salt and didn’t get enough exercise. In short—he ate and drank too much while not caring for his overall health.
