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“We have to perform a ceremony in the temple.” His brown eyes bore into me in an almost predatory way.
I study him. Is this a joke? I don’t know anymore, and it just might be true.
“Come with me. I’ll call in the guys. Remember, they are part of your team now. In a way, we are family. A clan.” Evan leans closer. “Do you understand?”
“So what does that mean?” I arch an eyebrow. “I’mstuckwith you three?”
“Ouch.” Evan winces at my use of the word “stuck” like it physically struck him.
I wave off his antics. “Whatever. You can’t be that surprised I’m not enthused about this arrangement.”
“I know.” He grins. “But unless Karma decides one of us is needed elsewhere, thenweare stuck withyou.”
“Yeah, because I’m the problem child,” I say flatly, rolling my eyes.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“I was promised food,” I say as my stomach gurgles.
“You might want toacquireyour powers on an empty stomach,” he says in warning, then he texts someone, presumably Dante and Kurtis.
“Great.” I follow him down the hall to the back door. There’s an open gazebo behind the main building, and just beyond it, I see the ocean.
“Wow. Karma is loaded.” I note the expensive property with a view. “And she doesn’t even come here very much?”
“From what I’ve heard from other agents around the world, this is a dump.”
Dante and Kurtis wear ceremonial robes when they arrive and hand one to Evan on our way to the gazebo.
I frown because I don’t have one.
They begin to chant what sounds like ancient Sanskrit—I recognize a few words from a Buddhist prayer that I know. All three men find positions in the circle, and Evan indicates for me to stand at the gazebo’s entrance.
I wait patiently, studying the elaborate structure. With its gold leaf paint and intricate metalwork, it feels like a temple, especially with the men’s baritone voices chanting like monks.
But they are far from monks.
“And now, Tessa Maat, you must release your past and be born into the new,” Evan calls out. “Shed your former role and become one with us.”
I look at each of them, waiting for my cue. When I stand there for a moment, Evan says, “Remove your clothing now.”
And become one with them? Ha! Evan lured me in with a bit of sincere talk, and now he’s suckering me into another prank.
I turn on my heel and head back toward the main house. “I’m getting brunch. Who’s driving?”
Evan yells, “Wait! We need to finish your ceremony. We have to commune!Bond!”
“You can frolic naked all you like, but I’m not falling for your joke.” I shut the glass door behind me as I enter the house, and a burst of laughter travels to my ears.
I sigh with relief. This is yet another test, an instant karma moment made just for me.
Yippy.
They want to make me the fool, but I won’t let that happen. Well, not if I can help it.
* * *
Brunch at the local eatery ends up being what I need to calm my nerves. I order several mimosas, but most of them are quickly confiscated by the guys, and we are all in a good mood by the time our food arrives.
