I guess dying my long hair dark red wasn't my smartest move. Way too recognizable. I twist it up into a knot on the top of my head and pull the cap over. It doesn't quite fit-my hair overstuffs the hat-but at least it's covered.
"You need those glasses to see?" he asks, starting to take them off.
"Yes," I jerk out of his reach.
His lips twitch again. "All right. Keep the cap low." He throws his plumber shirt into the truck, transforming into hot Disney dad in an aqua t-shirt and jeans. He buys us entrance tickets, and we head in.
"I'm gonna guess Space Mountain." He raises his eyebrows in inquiry and slightly amused look. It's nice to see him without the blank super agent expression. Nice to know there's a real guy underneath the warrior armor.
I let out a nervous laugh. "Actually, no. It's A Small World."
"Come on, you have to be kidding." Even though we're bantering, we walk fast, almost jogging. My hand is in his like we're a couple on a date, and he smiles encouragingly like we're running because he can't wait to show me something, not because innocent lives are at stake here.
Clever, clever man.
"No. I ate too much ice cream and got overheated. I threw up right in the boat."
Charlie winces as he navigates smoothly through the throngs of people. We're surrounded by the din of music and people, the smells of sweet confections and body odor. He gets us to the ride in record time.
"There!" I point. My sister and Grady stand in front of the ride, Sarah's arms folded over her chest, annoyance tightening her face.
Charlie's scanning, scanning everywhere. "You get Grady. I'll take your sister. Meet at the truck in ten."
My feet scramble to catch up with the orders. Okay, so we're splitting up. Good plan. Charlie's already cruising right for Sarah.
"Sarah!" Grady exclaims as if they're long-lost friends. He opens his arms wide for a hug. Sarah flashes me a frown over his shoulder, right before he envelopes her.
"Hey, Grady!" My nephew runs to give me a hug. "Come on, I want to show you the best ride, ever."
"I wanted to do Splash Mountain," he protests. "And we already had to get out of line to meet you here."
Charlie's already said something to Sarah and whisked her away. She knows where I work. If he told her she's in danger and he showed up with me, she should go along with it. Hopefully, I can wrangle Grady into listening, too.
"Grady, Grady, listen." I bend my knees to look him in the eyes. He's eight years old and a smart kid, he'll understand. "We're in trouble. Someone's after you and your mom and me. So, I just need you to pretend we're heading for a ride, but I'm going to get us out of here as fast as I can. Got it?"
His face goes pale, but he nods, immediately trotting beside me without another protest.
Good kid.
I see a guy move from a nearby railing and fall into step behind us.
Shit.
I yank Grady into a candy shop, then squirrel through to exit out the other side.
My tail is still there.
"Okay, Grady, they're following us. Any ideas?" Kids are way smarter than people give them credit for. And sometimes, they have ideas an adult would never consider.
He takes off sprinting at top speed. Well, that's one idea. I run to follow him.
The guy behind us also jogs to keep up.
Grady weaves in and out of people. I almost lose him myself and have to push to keep up with his agile darting.
We end up driving into a thicker mass of people and… the six p. m. parade.
Genius.
I don't know if Grady led us here on purpose, or it was just luck, but it's a perfect place to disappear. I trail my nephew as he ducks through the throng, then, miraculously, we're at the entrance.
"Great work, buddy. This way." I lead him toward the truck, hoping Sarah and Charlie had equal luck.
When I get near the truck, I find Charlie leaning against some other car, kissing Sarah.
CHARLIE
THERE'S a guy fifty yards away, scanning the parking lot. I kiss Sarah for cover, right when Annabel arrives.
For the record, they may be sisters, but Sarah neither tastes nor smells like Annabel. My body doesn't have the animalistic reaction I have to Annabel. Which means the lust I feel for her isn't just the emergent wolf in me. There's something more to this attraction.
While I work the kiss, I hold an electric lock opening device up to the door lock of the Lexus SUV we're leaned up against. We can't drive the truck out of here if we hope to escape unfollowed.
I break the kiss when the door beeps and pull the door open. "Get in," I order in the same low, calm voice I use for every command under pressure.
I take the driver's seat because, this time, we really need to lose any tail we pick up. Plus, I don't think I'll need to fire a gun. Hell, I'd better not have to fire a gun around Disneyland. I'm an excellent shot but taking chances with innocent children would kill me.
Annabel and Grady jump in seconds later. She takes the front passenger seat and glowers at me. I use the same device to start up the car and drive out of Disneyland, watching my speed, so I don't attract attention.
"I like your car," Grady says.
"It's not his," Annabel mutters. She snaps her gaze to me. "Did you just kiss my sister?"
"Yeah, do you even know each other?" Grady asks from the back seat.
"It was a pretend kiss, honey," Sarah chuckles drily, "because someone was looking at us."