Cassandra Pierce [The Aquans 02] Diamonds in the Sand [Siren LoveXtreme] (pdf)

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about you.
Did he? Cyra rolled her eyes. Typical older brother. Do you
have one?
Three, in fact. We re not very close. I d kind of like it if they
took some interest in my well-being.
You wouldn t say that if you had one as bossy as Daq. He d be
happy for me to stay around here and live according to his advice, but
the truth is, I d rather see the world and make my own mistakes along
the way. That s what life is all about, don t you think? He doesn t
understand.
Have you traveled much? Maura asked.
Diamonds in the Sand 43
Yes. In the past year alone, I ve visited Australia, the Caymans,
even the Bermuda Triangle. Trust me, that place is nowhere near as
exciting as it s made out to be. Not a glimpse of an alien craft, a sea
monster, or anything remotely exotic. I wasn t sure whether I should
be disappointed or relieved.
Briefly Maura s mind flashed on the exciting new discovery
Septimus had told her about. Was it something along the lines of what
Cyra was suggesting? She decided to put some more effort into
cracking that computer password.
At the same time, she realized how little she knew about Daq,
aside from the fact that his sister drifted outside the usual behavioral
currents, to say the least. Having him out of the room gave her the
perfect opportunity to find out more.
Do your parents live nearby? she asked.
No. They were swept away in a tropical storm many years ago.
No one knows what became of them.
Maura recoiled in horror. I m so sorry. I I had no idea.
She was even more shocked when Cyra shrugged without a trace
of emotion. It s a risk on any island. The tropics can be wonderful,
but deadly storms are common. Daq and I were teenagers at the time.
Ejan s mother lives right up the coast, so she let us stay with her.
Eventually I took off on my own and Daq started hanging around
here. Your friend Septimus had to go back to the States now and then
to teach his classes and whatnot, so he let my brother take care of the
house for him. Ejan moved in, too. The other guys showed up later.
Maura nodded. She could understand Septimus stepping in as a
father figure for Daq, and maybe the others as well. He d sort of done
the same for her, knowing she wasn t close to her own family. He
would have been eager to help Cyra and her brother after they had
been orphaned in such a tragic way. How ironic it would be if
Septimus had met the a similar fate. Was Daq simply in denial?
Speaking of Septimus, she ventured, do you know him well?
44 Cassandra Pierce
I ve met him, of course. Can t say I ever spent a lot of time with
him.
You do know he s missing? I don t suppose you have any idea
where he might be.
Of course I don t. Cyra s gaze drifted to the beach outside, and
she began to fidget as though she were eager to get back to it. Maura
opened the journal she d brought inside and held out the photo.
Do you know this person?
No, Cyra said.
You re sure?
Positive. Look how old that is! I wasn t even born yet.
Well, I wasn t, either. But Septimus had it on his desk. What if
he reconnected with a friend somewhere and went to see her? What if
she s a relative who should be notified? Identifying her might help us
locate him.
Cyra sniffed. Maybe he doesn t want to be found. Have you
considered that?
I guess anything s possible, Maura agreed. She put the photo
back in the journal. Just then, Daq reappeared, wiping his hands with
a small towel.
Lunch, he announced.
I think I ll skip it, Cyra said, jumping to her feet. She was
through the French doors and heading for the water before either of
them could say anything. Maura wondered if Daq felt the same relief
as she did.
He said nothing as Maura followed him into the kitchen, where
he d laid out plates, flatware, and a quantity of fruit salad and fresh
shrimp.
That looks wonderful, Maura said, genuinely impressed.
The smile returned to his lips. So do you.
He slid one arm around her waist, hauled her to him, and kissed
her hard. His other hand roved over her breasts, cupping and
squeezing each in turn. She felt his erection rise, throbbing through
Diamonds in the Sand 45
the layers of their clothing, and suddenly wanted him to take her right
there on the table or maybe the counter. Unfortunately, both surfaces
were covered with lunch preparations, and she realized that the other
guys were about to burst in on them. She heard Janko laughing with
Ivar outside the door, while Tagin and Ejan came thudding down the
stairs.
Daq released her as Janko walked in. He slid his arm around her
shoulders and hugged her. Ivar, right behind him, looked like he
wanted to do the same, but refrained.
How did the research go? Janko asked.
It didn t. I couldn t get into the computer and the journals made
little sense. She held up the one she was still clutching and took out
the picture of the mysterious woman on the beach. I did find this. Do
you know who she is?
Janko shrugged and showed it to Ivar, who shook his head. Daq
likewise gave no sign of recognition. When Tagin and Ejan walked in,
she passed it to them and repeated her question.
No. Sorry, the two said in unison.
But it is kind of faded, Janko pointed out. I mean, she could be [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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