Chapter 6

Deva adjusted the wrap tied around her waist. She was still annoyed that they had to dress like tourists hanging out on the boat. Glancing over, she saw Calla retying hers as well. At least Calla looked the part, with her tanned body and long blonde hair. The oversized sunglasses she wore helped her look the part. Deva hadn’t thought of sunglasses.

She hadn’t met Slater until they were on the dock. He was part of the Alliance Security team, which explained why they hadn’t met. Until recently, the Security worked out of the Alliance headquarters, and no doubt handled things tenser than what she’d signed on to do with the co-ord team a few years ago. He was a big man with rust-colored hair and dark blue eyes that made her feel like he was looking right through her.

Taggart kicked off his shoes and then looked at each of them. “I want to remove my shirt but I do no want to offend you ladies.”

He was wearing a high-collared, white pullover. She’d noticed he always had his neck covered.

“Go ahead.” Calla went over and sat on the cushioned bench. “Unless you have an obscene tattoo or something, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

“Ah,” his lips quirked, “no tattoo. I promise.” He took a deep breath and then exhaled. “I have much scars,” he touched his throat. “I am no popular man in many countries—they try to end me. Is why we—my men are never by oneself. Always close to help in case.” He nodded, grabbed the back of his shirt, and pulled it over his head.

Calla sat forward but didn’t make a sound.

Deva covered her mouth so she wouldn’t either. Across his throat were two thick, ragged scars. Someone had cut his throat—more than once. On his chest, over his heart, was another jagged mark that looked more recent than the other two. When he turned to sit down, she saw the scars along the side of his rib cage.

Slater studied him for a second. “Damn. You really pissed someone off.”

Taggart smirked. “Many someones. I am sure they still dream of finding me.”

“I think you better stay in North America, my friend.”

Taggart nodded. “That is my plan.”

“There’s the island.” Calla turned and looked at it.

Taggart watched Deva, his eyes searching her face. Was he looking for fear or disgust from her? He wasn’t going to find it. “You don’t have to wear turtlenecks and hide them.” She told him while holding his look.

His expression lightened. “I do in public. Many do not wish to see such things.”

Deva shrugged. “I don’t care what others are hung up on. It’s none of my business.”

He smiled at her like she’d just told him the most wonderful thing. “It makes my heart happy to hear you speak such things.”

Deva smiled back at him and then turned to check out the island. “Are we going to go all the way around it?”

“Yeah.” Slater slowed the boat. “Calum wants to know if there’s a less obvious place to anchor the boat and get on it tomorrow.”

Calla turned more. “I’ll get some pictures.” She held her phone in front of her so it wouldn’t look as obvious if anyone were watching them.

Slater turned gradually so they were traveling alongside the island, but far enough out that it would look like they were just going around it.

“Where are you from, Taggart?” Slater asked. “Your accent…”

Taggart chuckled. “Is a mess, ja.” He leaned back against the rail as if he was just sitting there soaking up the sun. “My clan moved many times to different regions and country,” he glanced at the other man, “so I speak many parts of languages, no just one.” He grinned. “My accent is mixed up.”

“You speak pretty good English.” Slater turned the boat to go around the end of the island.”

“It is hard to change the words I think in my head to English words to speak, but I will get good at it.”

“I’m just damn glad you and your team have joined our cause, Taggart. It’s time to end this.”

Taggart turned and looked at the island. “We will end it for always.”

Deva watched him check out the island. He was a very honorable man. She glanced at the scars again. He’d gone through things most she knew could never imagine.

When she reached his face, he was watching her. He winked at her, and she felt her cheeks heat. Shifting in the seat, she looked at the island and forced herself to focus on it.

There weren’t many places where it would be easy to get on it. She could see no sign of any buildings or anything that would lead anyone to believe there were people on it. Fifteen hours from now, there wouldn’t be people on it.