Keith was one lucky guy; a speedboat happened to zip by and hauled him out of the drink.
At the auction on the cruise, they nabbed some skinny middle–aged dude who was toting a bomb. He was going off about being some kind of angel or something.
Shane, peering over his glasses from a safe distance, shook his head. “If The Seraphic was that easy to catch, they wouldn’t be such a big deal in Clusia’s mysteries.”
Zack just rolled his eyes and huffed, “Bad luck.”
Leo was scanning the hallway when he spotted a pair of familiar figures–a tall one and a short one–walking by. He blinked in surprise. “Wait, wasn’t that Miss Levine and her little brother?”
Julius glanced over, but by the time he focused, the two had already faded into the crowd, gone without a trace.
The auction was a bust with some high–ticket item going missing and an explosion that turned the whole event upside down. The ship had to dock early, and as everyone filed off, security was all over us, checking everyone for the culprit. Quiana glanced at her brother Hugo, her brow pinched. “You’re gonna have to swim for it,” she said.
As soon as she finished, a spluttering cough broke out behind them. It was Julius and Zack.
Zack, once he got his breath back, let out a laugh. “Quiana, you’re not even his real sister, and you’re still tough on him,” he teased.
Hugo just rolled his eyes at Zack. “Quiana’s got my back,” he said. He stripped off his gadgets, tucking them into a waterproof bag. Then, with a swift move, he secured the box Quiana had given him, leaped over the railing, and dove into the ocean.
Zack’s eyes widened. “No joke!” he exclaimed, rushing to the deck’s edge. There was Hugo, just his head bobbing above the water for a moment, making a goofy face before he took a deep breath and vanished beneath the waves.
Julius was left speechless; even he seemed taken aback by the whole scene.
Quiana just shook her head, muttering “Idiot” under her breath. She pulled her hat down and started to walk away.
Shane caught Quiana’s arm, his gaze intense. “Ms. Levine, where’d this pill come from?”
Quiana glanced at Julius, his pallor still there but with a hint of the old fire in his eyes. The pill must have had an impact. She gave a small, knowing smile. “Looking to stock up?”
Julius’s eyes, typically distant, showed a spark of interest as he held her gaze. He leaned back, nonchalant. “Depends on if you’re willing to let it go.”
Quiana’s smile widened. “I’m all about business. 2.5 million. How’s the payment looking?”
Leo’s voice cracked with disbelief. “2.5? Last time it was much cheaper.”
Shane added, his brow furrowed. “Our sources say you usually move these for two hundred thousand.”
Quiana propped herself against the rail, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well, it’s all about who you are.”
Zack chimed in, a teasing grin on his face. “This is some high–stakes stuff, Quiana. We’re practically friends here, right?”
Quiana let out a world–weary sigh. “Money ain’t easy to come by these days.”
Zack didn’t even want to reply.
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12.02 Wed, 10 Apr 4
Chapter 61
Julius spoke up, his face a blank slate. “I’ll take one.”
Quiana’s eyes twinkled. “Hugo’s got your back at Magnolia Palace.
Shane pressed on, his curiosity piqued. “Ms. Levine, I’m serious about the source…”
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Quiana shrugged, all innocence. “Can’t spill all the beans. You know, business secret. And let’s be real, we’re not exactly close
Zack was speechless.
Night had fallen, and the city’s glow was fading fast. “Achoo!” Hugo stood on the shore, water dripping from his clothes as he sneezed again and again.
Quiana ambled over, with Julius and a few others tagging along behind her.
Julius coughed, his voice muffled by the blanket wrapped around him as the sea breeze whipped around them.
He looked up, a casual suggestion in his voice. “We should head back, don’t you think?” He’d set Hugo up in a place at the Magnolia Palace, just across from his own spot.
Quiana gave him a sidelong glance, her tone flat, “I’m going to the Larson residence.”
Julius kept his cool, “I’ll drive you.”
“Nah,” Quiana said, throwing a jacket over Hugo and ruffling his damp hair. “You go with them and take your medicine, okay?”
“Sure thing,” Hugo sniffled, pulling the jacket close, his eyes shining with gratitude. His sister’s concern was always there, even if she didn’t show it all the time.
Zack chimed in, trying to be the voice of reason, “It’s late, and taxis are hard to come by. Julius isn’t going to give you any trouble, so…”
