Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Kate’s dumbstruck when she walks into the office where the two guards in black and the idiot in pink are bound in a cluster in the center of the floor.
She presses her lips together, hiding her smirk for a few seconds. “You used pool toys?”
“They work great.”
She walks around the men in a slow circle as Cole stands by with his weapon at the ready. “Brilliant, they can’t get their arms out of the inner tubes can they?”
Wilton wiggles around muttering, but Wolf growls at him and he freezes suddenly.
“Nope, they are at your mercy if you’d like to…”
“Have any duct tape?”
Nan holds up a finger. “I know where there’s some.”
Instantly, the bigger of the guys in black starts sweating bullets. “You’re not going to let her—”
I drum my fingers on my gun. “She can bloody well do whatever the fuck she wants to you and I’ll hold you whilst she does.”
Kate's expression brightens as she sets her sights on her father’s right hand man. “In the meantime, tell me where my father is.”
Wilton sticks out his chin defiantly. “He’s on official business.”
“Where?”
“Not here.”
She huffs and taps her bare toes on the tile floor. “That much is obvious or you fools wouldn’t be running wild in the palace.”
Palace.
A seed of horrific dread opens up inside of me.
Palaces are where royalty live.
Kate’s father is on official business.
King business?
If he’s King… then Kate is… a Princess? What the fuck?
I married a Princess? Oh, bloody hell, no.
Nan shuffles back in the room, her tropical dress swirling around her. “My dear, this should be enough.” She holds up a gigantic role of duct tape. Bigger than any I’ve ever seen.
I’m pulled out of my fucked-up thoughts in time to realize that this duct tape thing is going to be a good show.
Kate glances at me, I shrug. “Just don’t get your hair stuck in it, that’s my only comment. Hurts like a bitch when you do.”
“Oh. I know.”
She rips off a loooong strip. “Roberto, let’s see how you like this. She smashes it on his face, sticking the tape in his mustache and goatee and wrapping it around the back of his head.
Ouch. That’s going to hurt like a bitch. Damn if she doesn’t make me proud.
“And you.” She slams another tape strip to the other guard’s bare face. “That’s for going along with this BS.”
She squares up with the last of the detainees. “And you… hm. What should I do to you, Wilton?”
“Nothing!” He shrieks as he tries to pull away. Kate takes a step back and taps her chin. “Actually, I think I’ll let Nan take over from here. I bet she’s got something fun in mind for you.”
She extends a hand toward me. “I’m finished here. Shall we, husband? Nan will get the information I need.”
I wrap her hand in the crook of my arm. “Your wish is my command.”
When we step out onto the front steps of the estate home, Kate bursts out in laughter.
She wipes tears from her eyes. “Did you see his face!?! Nan’s known for practicing magic and curses on the island.
People are always making up something crazy about it.
I’m sure he’s about to die of fright right now. ”
Kate’s smile is so bright, I’m totally enchanted by it, but no more happy about the situation. “He nearly had a cardiac arrest. Just like I did when I realized you said Palace.”
She freezes. “Oh… Yeah. I guess I did say Palace.”
“Who are you really, Kate?”
Her teeth bite into her lower lip. “It’s not exactly as it seems.”
“Really? We’re married. I think I bloody well deserve to know the truth.”