He still insisted we leave the room only when the majority of the people are off the ship.
We're in bed sleeping when the overhead speakers beep. As usual, I jump. Hunter pretzels his limbs around my body.
"Good morning. We have now docked. Please make sure that you are back on board by four o'clock for our departure to Europe. Enjoy your day in Bermuda."
Hunter rolls me on my back then leans on top of me. "I think we have some time to kill while everyone is fighting to get off this ship."
"Hmmm. What would we do with all that time?"
"You could talk dirty in Portuguese or Spanish or any other language I don't understand."
I push my hand through his tousled hair and laugh. In Portuguese, I say, "I want to lick your V and everything below it."
His eyes light up, and he kisses me. "Tell me more."
We spend the next few hours in bed, shower, then pack our few belongings in Hunter's backpack.
The crowd is thin, so it doesn't take long for us to get off the ship. There are scooters to rent and taxis waiting on the curb.
I point. "Can we get a scooter?"
"The roads are dangerous here. They are curvy and on the edge of cliffs."
"I'll hold on tight and wear a helmet. I'm sure you can handle it."
Hunter snorts. "Forgot you were my adrenaline junkie. Let's get to Blaise's house. Then we can dive into risky activities."
"Okay. Do you know where the house is?"
"I know the vicinity and the house if I see it."
A taxi driver approaches us. "Need a ride?"
"We do. I know the street and area of where we are staying and what the house looks like when I see it, but I don't have the physical address."
"Not a problem. I can take you."
"Great."
We climb into the car, and Hunter tells him the name of the street.
"Ahh. That is a nice, private area."
"Yes."
We talk to the driver for a good twenty minutes.
"There's the house," Hunter says and points.
The driver parks in the driveway, and Hunter hands him some cash. We get out, and when we get to the front door, a man and a woman are in a heated discussion.
"I told you this couldn't happen anymore," she says.
"We've tried it your way, and it doesn't work for us. We're past the point of what can and can't happen."
"No, it's not right."
He puts both hands on her face. "Sloane, I'm—"
"Blaise," Hunter says.
Their heads turn toward us.
"Hunter! You made it." Blaise steps forward and embraces Hunter. "You must be Vanessa?" He leans down and kisses my cheek.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"Andre and Naomi are here."
Tears well in my eyes. "They are?"
He smiles and nods. "Yes. They were in the kitchen last. Go on in."
"Thank you."
"Oh, and this is Sloane."
We hug and kiss each other's cheek. "It's nice to meet you," she says.
"You, too."
She has a kind smile, and there is something that feels trustworthy about her. She turns the knob on the front door and motions for me to go in.
"I'll join you in a minute," Blaise says.
I step inside, and Hunter follows me. We don't get far before Naomi drops her fork, puts her hand over her mouth, and cries out, "Oh my God! You're here!"
Andre spins in his seat and a big smile forms.
After we get past the greetings, we sit on the barstools at the island.
We exchange stories about what happened to the four of us. I finally explain to Naomi and Andre everything I know about the movement and Global Leaders. Then I disclose that I saw Zoe and Penelope.
Naomi's eyes widen. "Andre, you have to get ahold of Axel."
He pulls his phone out. "On it." He rises and walks away.
"What's that about?" Hunter asks.
"Axel was here. He and Penelope made it to Bermuda, but they held her at the airport, claiming she's a spy. He was told they sent her back to England, and he went there to find her."
"Did they find her daughter?"
"No. Andre tried to calm him down, but he was only here a brief time. He said everything was connected just as the guy from the airport was knocking on the door."
"What guy?" Hunter asks.
"Someone he knew from the military who works at the airport. The man told us they were sending Penelope back to England, and he ran out the door. Andre at least got him to turn his phone on before he left."
Hunter's blood drains from his face. "Interpol will know."
"Andre got them to reinstate you," Naomi says.
"What?"
They tell us more of the story about how Andre negotiated with the U.S. President.
"Did Zoe say anything about Emilia and Malin?" Naomi's eyes look hopeful, and I hate to squash it.
"I'm sorry, no. We were hoping they were here with you."
"You haven't heard anything from them?" Hunter asks.
Naomi shakes her head. "No. The last thing we know is that they were caught on video raiding my boss, Ezra's, office."
Hunter shifts. "Why would they do that?"
"I've been trying to figure that out for the last month. Emilia is the only person I told where I kept all my evidence for my story. It's in a safe deposit box, and she has access. The only thing that makes sense is that she and Malin must have discovered something Ezra found out."
"Why would they go after that?" I ask. "Emilia didn't seem like the type of girl who would get involved in this mess."
"I don't know. You're right. She usually stays out of anything that could put her in danger."
"Malin wouldn't have let her do something like that unless there was a good reason," Hunter insists.
Andre comes back into the room.
"Did you get ahold of him?" Hunter asks.
"I tried three times and finally left a voice mail and text."
Blaise comes into the room. He pulls a bottle of water out of the fridge. "Anyone want one?"
Everyone tells him no thanks, and Naomi puts her hand on his biceps and quietly asks, "Everything okay?"
He shrugs then turns to Hunter. "Heard you shot Kalim's tires out?"
"Yep."
"Glad you still have those skills I taught you."
Hunter fist-bumps him.
"Still wish we knew what happened to Ryker and Julieta," Andre says.
I throw my hand over my mouth.
"What?" he asks.
I tell them what Zoe told me about Julieta.
"That's horrible," Naomi cries out.
"Yeah."
"Axel said he saw them get on the plane for Bermuda before Penelope and his flight," Blaise says.
"They got here?" Hunter asks.
Blaise nods. "Axel swears he would have seen them come off."
Hunter scrubs his face. "This is so messed up."
Andre opens the laptop on the counter near him and starts typing.
Hunter rises and stands behind him. "What are you doing?"