“Oh.” She nods and sits taller, crossing her legs at her ankles like she’s been taught. Chin parallel to the ground, she speaks calmly as she says, “It was a couple. They called each other ‘sweetie.’ Both American with no particular regional accent. I couldn’t quite see facial features thanks to the light in my eyes, but I was able to observe the woman had long, blonde hair in a ponytail and was about five-nine, would be my guess. The man had a large frame, bulky shoulders, and no hair. Boisterous voice. He was just taller than the woman. They mentioned Italy at one point, and I learned that the woman actually grew up just outside of Denver, Colorado.”
“Great. And what about your location? Do you know where they took you?”
“It was cold, had stone walls, and the ocean was just outside the window. I could smell it and hear it, so I assumed it was close. They used clear-coated zip ties, and the man held a brown leather belt while the woman had a handgun that fits in the back of her pants. They argued at one point about a payment they had to make to a Salvador. They whispered it, but I was still able to hear them clearly.”
“Salvador, that’s a great lead,” Lara says, acting as the detective now. “Anything distinctive about the male and female?”
Lilly thought for a moment. “I don’t know if this would matter, but I was fairly sure the woman was lefthanded and the male was righthanded.”
“Why do you think that?” Brimar asks.
“Well, when the woman grabbed my hair, I noticed that it was her right hand, which would leave her dominant hand available to hit me or whatever. And the male, I don’t know. The way he pointed at me. He always gestured with his right hand.”
“Good, Princess Lilly. Those things are helpful to note,” I add. She’s actually right, although I’m not sure if she picked that up during the simulation or from being around them for a week. At least she gave good reasoning, and that could be helpful.
“Anything else you can tell us?”
“Ah, yes, one more big thing, they both reeked of fish. Absolutely atrocious, I nearly passed out from the smell.”
Lilly lifts her brow, and I laugh out loud as Brimar sniffs his shirt.
“We do not.” Lara sniffs herself as well while Lilly chuckles.
“That’s what you get for shining that light in my eyes for so damn long.”
I lift from the table and say, “I think that concludes our kidnapping training. You did brilliantly, Lilly.”
“You really did,” Lara says.
Brimar breathes into his hand and smells. “I brushed my teeth.”
Lara pokes his stomach. “She was joking.”
“Well, just in case, I’m going to go take another shower.” Brimar takes off, Lara following him.
“Yeah, maybe I’ll change my clothes.”
When they’re gone, I help Lilly up from her chair and bring her wrists up to my mouth. “Are you okay?” I kiss her sensitive skin. “Are your wrists sore?”
“They’re okay.” She sighs against me and asks, “So I really did a good job?”
“You did. I’m really proud. You were composed, calm, and despite enduring a stressful situation, you remained poised. I was really impressed.”
She smiles. “That means a lot to me.” She drops her hands to my chest. “Now what?”
“Now, we take a break, and then after lunch, you’re going to learn a new tradition.”
“Ooo, I can’t wait.”
I tilt her chin up and move my mouth over hers, stealing a kiss before pulling away. It’s going to be really fucking hard keeping my hands off her now that I’ve had a taste. I just need to make sure it’s the right place, the right time.
Chapter Fifteen
LILLY
Keller: THE INFORMATIVE: A town is at the mercy of a love triangle. Fights have broken out on the streets, friendships have been lost, and family rifts have become so strong that businesses are now suffering. Shame has been thrown toward the angler’s wife as she strolls the cobbled streets of Kirkfell. And now that the town is in shambles, she has decided to walk away from both men and is harboring with her sister to help heal the town.
“Holy shit,” I whisper as I read the text a few more times. My phone chimes with another text message.
Timmy: Okay, I’m going to need an update. You’re all over the news here. Is what they’re saying true?
Lara, Brimar, and Keller are all preparing lunch, so I sink onto the couch next to the fireplace, one of my favorite places in the “castle”， and text Timmy back.