Page 54 of Beachcomber Danger

Shana made sure she was a more entertaining prisoner by giving lip and maintaining their focus on her. She ignored Sassy’s flinching each time she was slapped. Her face burned and her lip was fat, but she was otherwise fine. She could handle this. Though the minutes seemed to drag on.

“How long do you think your boyfriend will take to get here? We’re tired of waiting. We need to get ready for the party tonight,” Preston said as he marched in a circle.

“We have hours. We can wait a few more minutes,” Emeline said. “I might find another provoking question to ask our guests.”

“Don’t let me stop you from—”

“Shut up. We don’t need to wait for him. We know he’s out looking for you. This kidnapping was more a diversion than anything else. And when we’re finished, we have you two for insurance.” He shrugged.

“Let’s go, Emeline. I’m bored with them. We have a party to work. Maybe we’ll serve the President some champagne. I hear he likes it.” Preston chuckled.

Shana said nothing. She wasn’t surprised that they somehow got hired as servers. They had a dozen identities that Acer had found. Likely many more they didn’t know about.

Emeline stood and stared at Shana for another minute. Shana kept her face neutral.

“It’s too bad. I wanted to meet your man. It would have been interesting. He entices me. He has that virile look. I wanted to try him for myself. Just once. Before I kill him.”

Sassy whimpered behind her, but Shana felt nothing but liquid nitrogen flowing through her veins.

Please do not show up, Dane. Not now.

*****

Dane put the roof up on the convertible and sat low inside. It was past five p.m. and if the couple had plans to crash the President’s soiree tonight, he’d bet his beach shack that they were going as either service staff or security. That meant they’d need to be on their way soon. When they came out of the pie shop, he didn’t want them spying him—unless they’d already left.

He swore he could hear the seconds ticking down as if he had an old-fashioned Timex winding down inside his head.

Please show up, Cap. Now.

*****

Without another word, only the smile of a jungle cat trimming her face, Emeline took Preston’s arm and they left. Once again, Shana was left to listen to them retreat up the stairs. How could they be so smug? The minute they left Dane could find and release her and Sassy and they’d be all over the Chambers. They would be caught. Shana and Sassy could not be used as insurance unless—

“Oh, one more thing,” Emeline called from the stairwell somewhere. “Be sure to warn your man that we’ve left a booby trap. He’d best tread carefully or he could blow you all up.” She laughed and a door slammed shut.

“Shit. God damn it to hell.”

“That goes double for me,” Sassy said. Her voice was surprisingly strong for a girl who’d been crying and whimpering all afternoon. Shana had been suspicious that it had been at least partly an act. It appeared she was right.

“We need to get out of this, Sassy. Before Dane gets here. We know they didn’t wire our chairs so we’re safe to get undone. Where did you put those scissors?”