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He takes another sip of tea, expression giving nothing away.
I force myself to walk away.
CHAPTER 22
THE BUZZ OF THE INCOMING aircraft draws everyone to the landing strip in an excited rush. We’re all hot and sweaty from hours of hard-core cleanup. Sticks gathered, debris raked, stoops swept. After changing out Vaughn’s linens, I made an emergency run to MacManus’s lodge with Trudy and Ann in tow. Sure enough, there was an entire set of outdoor furniture and brightly colored pillows to be arranged on the front porch. Not to mention more pick-up sticks.
I feel like we’re an army of soldiers, frantically preparing for the four-star general’s arrival. Now, waiting for the sleek little Cessna to land, I have a hard time not standing at attention with my chest puffed out. Beside me, Trudy and Ann are bouncing up and down on their toes. Whether they’re that excited to see their billionaire boss or it’s just fresh guests in general is hard to tell.
The charter jet touches down as light as a feather, the side hatch popping open the second the engines cut out. I expect Copilot Brent to poke his head out and lower the stairs. Instead, a buzz-cut blond guy appears. His sharp gaze scours our collected group, then moves up and down the runway. He disappears back inside the cabin.
Brent emerges, his expression remote. He lowers the stairs, then retreats without so much as a wave.
Ann, who had her hand half-raised, quickly lowers it. She and Trudy exchange a look, while a low murmur works its way through the crowd.
“The first man wasn’t MacManus, was it?” I whisper to them.
“Never seen him,” Trudy confirms.
“So one of the two extra guys he brought with him. Hired muscle,” I provide absently. “No doubt about it.”
Trudy and Ann turn to stare at me. “Like, security guards? Why?”
“I have no idea.” And I don’t. Especially as, according to Vaughn, MacManus had hired them before hearing about Charlie’s misadventure.
The first man reappears. He descends the steps, taking up position at the base, arms clasped before him. He’s wearing tan trousers and a white linen dress shirt that does little to conceal the handgun holstered at his waist.
More buzzing from our group.
Vaughn takes the first step forward and promptly gets skewered by a thousand-yard stare. He wisely halts in his tracks.
Fresh person at the top of the stairs. I recognize MacManus instantly from his photo. In contrast to the camp’s collective wardrobe of sweat-stained grunge, he’s sporting tight-fitting linen slacks and a red, tropical-print designer shirt that probably cost more than most people’s monthly rent.
I do my best not to stare as he nimbly rat-a-tats down the steps, then turns back toward the top.
There she is. Leilani Pierson. Younger sister of Keahi Pierson, aka the Beautiful Butcher. Possible kidnapped teen, forced to stay with her sister’s abusive ex-boyfriend against her will. Possible adopted charge, now living a life of wealth and privilege with same ex-boyfriend.
In person, she’s even more beautiful than her photo.
Like MacManus, she’s dressed in five-star resort wear. A wrap-around sleeveless dress in shades of red and yellow that complement MacManus’s own attire. Wedge sandals with delicate straps. A single bracelet that flashes something brilliant and sparkly in the sun.
Given her footwear, she descends more carefully. After her comes the second security professional. He’s dressed similarly to the first guard, with milk-chocolate skin, a perfectly shaved head, and a sharply groomed goatee.
He waits for Lea to join MacManus on the runway. MacManus holds out his hand to his young charge. When she takes it, offering a small smile but keeping her gaze down, I feel myself shudder. For all intents and purposes, they look like a couple—rich mogul and his trophy wife. I don’t understand how anyone else can see this and not feel as uncomfortable as I do.
The first guard moves forward, MacManus and Lea falling in step behind him. The second security expert brings up the rear. Our normally rowdy and enthusiastic crew has fallen silent. Even Vaughn hasn’t moved a muscle, simply watching MacManus and his men approach.
Belatedly, I realize two more people are now exiting the jet: an older man and woman. Must be the couple that serve as MacManus’s personal chef and private secretary. Finally, Brent reappears with Captain Marilee. Both look uptight.
Definitely a big difference from my landing just two days prior.
“Vaughn,” MacManus greets his project manager.
“Mac.”
They don’t shake hands, but nod in acknowledgment. Vaughn’s gaze remains locked on the two new men. We’re all staring. Given our highly informal summer camp vibe, the arrival of two stony-faced professionals is disorienting.
“Shall we?”
