Drake Sisters 03 - Oceans of Fire

Nikitin and Prakenskii. I don’t want them to target him. I don’t think Prakenskii would take Harrington down except in self-defense, but Nikitin’s answer to anyone in his way is usually some sort of violence. I thought I might better be able to protect Harrington if I worked with him.”
    “Jonas takes his job very seriously and he’ll find out who murdered your partner. If you’re asking me would he be an asset to you, then yes. And if you’re worried that he’ll get so close to the truth that whoever is behind this will want him dead, he’s tenacious and he’ll find the killer. I’d be very grateful if you’d watch over him.” She yawned. “I’m so sleepy.”
    He kissed her neck again. “Go to sleep then. We have tomorrow to talk.”
    “Sasha…” Her voice was drowsy again. “I have to be at the cove first thing in the morning to give the dolphin antibiotics and then I have a meeting with my sisters. I’m supposed to be helping them plan a double wedding and so far I’ve contributed absolutely nothing toward the plans. There’s also that thing.”
    She made a noise of disgust.
    “What thing?”
    “Frank Warner is having his party for all the bigwigs and we received the royal summons from Inez, which means we have to go.”
    “Are you giving me the brush-off?”
    She stiffened at his tone. “No. I’m telling you I have plans tomorrow and won’t be able to see you. I do have a life, you know. And I thought you were here on business. Don’t you have an investigation to run?”
    “My investigation is going fine. I’m able to juggle more than one thing in my life at a time.”
    She looked at him with her vivid green eyes. “Am I one of those things?”
    “You’re everything.”

Chapter 13
    “ABBEY! You’re late!” Hannah glared at her sister. “And you’re dripping all over the floor.”
    Abigail stood in the doorway for a moment, looking like a guilty child caught with a hand in the cookie jar. Her usually vivid red-gold hair hung in damp tails, dripping water down her neck and shoulders.
    There was even water on the tips of her feathery eyelashes.
    Hannah regarded her with amusement. Abigail had stripped off her wetsuit somewhere before coming home, but her mask still hung from her fingertips as if she’d forgotten she carried it. She was barefoot and wearing only her modest one-piece and a pair of very wet sweatpants.

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    “I know, I know. I’m sorry.” Abigail Drake slammed the kitchen door closed and looked longingly over toward the kettle. “I’m desperate for a cup of tea.”
    Hannah couldn’t resist Abigail’s enormous puppy-dog eyes and she glanced at the silver kettle sitting on a burner. As if on cue, the burner sprang to life, flames hissing softly beneath the kettle. “I’ll make you a cup while you shower, but hurry .” She glanced at her watch. “We’re already half an hour late.”
    Abigail ran for the stairs, Hannah following behind her. “I couldn’t help it. I had to give antibiotics to Kiwi this morning and then the other dolphins were in the cove and they were so responsive I couldn’t resist a swim. It was so peaceful that I completely forgot the time.” She grinned at her sister over her shoulder. “If you had a choice between sweet, entertaining dolphins versus making an appearance at Frank Warner’s gallery, which would it be? Besides, Frank avoids me pretty much like the rest of Sea Haven if he can help it. I hate these things.”
    “They don’t avoid you, Abbey,” Hannah said.
    “Sure they do, they’re all afraid I’m going to blurt out the wrong thing and they’ll tell the world a deep dark secret. I’d rather be under the sea with the dolphins.”
    “You have a point, but you also missed the meeting about Sarah and Kate’s wedding plans. Even Aunt Carol was in a huff over it and you know she adores you.”
    Abigail paused at the entrance to the tiled bathroom. “I know.” She shoved back the mass of wet, salty hair from her face. “I shouldn’t have done that. It’s just that…” She trailed off with a small sigh.
    “Is it Jonas or Aleksandr that you’re avoiding?” Hannah asked.
    Abigail stiffened, a slight reaction, but Hannah caught it right away. Abigail’s expression was immediately wary. “Both. Did either of them call?”
    “Yes.” Hannah put her hand on Abigail’s shoulder to prevent her escape into the bathroom. “Jonas