Free Blood Diamond by R. J. Blain Page A

“I need a very cold shower now. And clothes.” I was already wearing clothes, but at least my other suit wouldn’t look quite so rumpled. “We check out in twenty.”
    She sighed. “So I heard. Okay, I’ll get dressed while you shower.”
    I wanted to kiss her cheek, but I didn’t trust myself not to miss—on purpose. Her pouting lips tempted me far, far too much. “I’m sorry.”
    Gripping my phone in both hands, she snapped it in half. “I do not let my prey escape.” She broke the two halves into smaller pieces, all without looking away from me.
    I gulped. “I’ll remember that.” Staggering to my feet, I stumbled across the room to fetch my suit and retreated to the bathroom, cursing the Inquisition, Zachary, and the fact I was stupid enough to leave a gorgeous and willing woman alone on a bed plenty large enough for two.

    ~~*~~

    Between the shower and my new worries over how the Inquisition had linked my new phone to me, I was reasonably sober by the time we were checked out. I limited my interactions to tired grunts while Evelyn handled anything that required actual words. Once we finished checking out, I stowed my disposable credit card in my pocket.
    Before I could worry about whether or not Zachary would show, he swept in through the hotel’s automatic doors.
    “All ready?” My friend had gained a few more gray hairs since the last time I saw him. He wore his crisp white uniform with his captain’s hat tucked under his arm.
    I judged the distance and my capabilities of crossing it without tripping over my own feet. The odds weren’t in my favor.
    Evelyn met him halfway across the lobby, thrusting out her hand. “Nice to meet you,” she said. Judging by the way her pitch dropped, I ranked my friend as one of the very last people on Earth the Fenerec wished to see.
    With a sigh, I stooped to grab our bag. That I made it upright without staggering was something I classified as a miracle. Leaving the two to their posturing, I headed for the door. Once outside, the cooling evening air revitalized me more than the shower had. The salt in the air filled my lungs, and while it didn’t help sober me up, I halted to enjoy the scent.
    “She’s pretty, Boss. Now I’m genuinely truly and deeply sorry I interrupted you,” Zachary said, taking the bag from me. “You look like hell. What did you do to your hand?”
    “She bites,” I replied, turning to open the door for Evelyn before remembering it was automatic.
    Coming to a halt at my side, she bared her teeth. At the same time, she brushed her fingers against the back of my uninjured hand. “Later.”
    I flushed.
    “Miss Evelyn, I will make up for ruining your plans, I assure you. Considering the developments, I thought it was wise to get you both to the Wave Dream and settled. I’ll explain in more detail once we’re in the truck—and on board.” Zachary pointed at a dark blue truck parked near the front of the hotel. Evelyn’s motorcycle was already loaded and secured to the bed.
    “I suppose I’ll forgive you this once, but only this once,” the Fenerec murmured, flashing Zachary a smile.
    I smirked when my friend’s tanned cheeks darkened with his blush, glad I wasn’t the only one who reacted to her.
    “I’ll have to steal him from you for a while for business, I’m afraid. There are a lot of things we’ll need to discuss.”
    Circling around the truck, I opened the passenger side door for Evelyn. “I wouldn’t be worried with only one or two Inquisitors to dodge. It’s a big ship. Sixteen, however, is a bit much, don’t you think?”
    “The Inquisition officially notified me, informing me that I would relinquish available suites to them. I’ve been led to believe that your killers might have booked passage. Canada’s a popular destination this week.” Zachary climbed into the truck. “Do you mind taking the back, Evelyn?”
    “I don’t mind,” she said, wiggling into the narrow backseat.
    I think she wiggled more