Page 33 of Quinn

“How the fuck did they get over here?” Logan had us all looking around, attempting to see if there was a boat that hadn’t been there when we arrived.

“There.” I pointed to a small, weather beaten speedboat further up the beach.

“Fuck.” I dragged fingers through my wet hair. “Okay, we make nice, don’t let them know that we’re aware of who they are. Play the businessman angle.”

Logan and Daly agreed and we headed back to where our belongings had been left on the beach.

I dropped onto my towel, there was no need to dry off after my impromptu run.

“They didn’t waste any time in chasing after our arses. At least we know now it’s us they were watching. It’s highly unlikely they would have chased one of the families here.”

The sound of a boat crashing over the waves drew our attention and we turned towards the beach to see the speedboat making its way back to Moresby.

“I’ll take a guess and say they came here to question Palau about us, but since he doesn’t know anything, they left.” Logan thought for a moment. “We need to make it known that we’re here from Popondetta, enjoying some down time before the pineapple harvest begins.”

Logan’s suggestion made sense. Somehow we needed them to find out we were in Moresby from Popondetta. Once they had that information, they’d assume that’s where Arabella was taken.

“We need to start talking in the hotel bar and anywhere else we go. Hopefully, what we say will be overheard and somehow get to Sangumala. Olimar and Kent will be dropping bits of information in Hanuabada, so between us, Tchokai and his men should get the message and head over the range.”

“Hey!”

I spun around to see Palau waving at us from the top of the hill. “It must be time for lunch, maybe we can start throwing out the bait now.”

“No time like the present,” Daly agreed as we all pushed onto our feet.

I grabbed my wallet and we trekked up the hill to where lunch would be ready to serve, and if the growling of my stomach was any indication, it was right on time.

CHAPTER NINE

ARABELLA

Quinn had only been gone a few hours but I missed him deeply. I was growing attached to the man and if I wasn’t careful, my heart was going to be broken.

Lynetta served toasted ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch along with a large glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. She joined me at the dining table.

Reaching out, she lay a hand over mine. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”

I shrugged as tears burned behind my eyelids. “Truth?”

“Truth.”

“I feel so lost. For years I’ve had men telling me what to do and when to do it; I’ve never been able to make my own decisions. Now, I’m in a place where people treat me with kindness, but if I want to leave and live life on my own terms, I’m threatened with imprisonment or death.”

I swiped at tears that spilled over my cheeks.

“The brothers would never hurt you, sweetheart, but you have to understand they can’t just allow you to walk free. You know too much about them and they don’t know you well enough to trust you. Years ago they trusted a man, he left here and took the story of the three men straight to an official. Fortunately, it was one Connor had already negotiated a deal with. The man disappeared before any damage could be done.”

I had no illusions about what ‘disappeared’ involved.

“Fortunately, almost all officials and people of importance in Popondetta are now on the Kumul’s payroll so the threat isn’t as dangerous as it was back then, but you could go to someone in Lae who has more authority and it could cause massive trouble for the brothers.”

“I wouldn’t do it, Lynetta. I wouldn’t harm Quinn and his brothers.”

She patted my hand. “I don’t think you would, but the brothers can’t afford to trust you.”

I understood some of what she was saying but it frustrated me not being able to convince anyone here of my loyalty.

“Why was I brought here? Surely Quinn knew I would find out what business they ran.”