Marv answered this time with a frown marring his features. “We're not sure how he found out, but he did and he's left her several disturbing phone calls. We were going to go after we returned from the honeymoon, but two days ago, Clarissa called her and she didn't answer. That wouldn't be much to go on, but Alex says he doesn't feel right. The man Jenna’s bosses are prosecuting is fairly powerful because of his business contacts. He's very wealthy and if Jenna were unable to make it to the trial, they’d lose a lot of the information she has. They're worried for her safety, but Alex can’t just leave all of his businesses without notice. Knix has a manager to oversee his employees and the rest of us can work from anywhere if need be.”
"We should go immediately, then," I suggested. "After the reception."
"I think we can head out tomorrow morning," Knix agreed. "If you'd be okay with it."
I rolled my eyes and leaned over to pop his side as I stared up and up some more—God, was he tall, even sitting down. "I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't okay with it," I said, softening the chastisement with a grin of my own.
His lips didn't smile back. Instead, the corners of his mouth edged downward. "I'm sorry, Little Bit," he apologized. "I didn't want to ruin your honeymoon."
"You're not ruining my honeymoon," I said. “But how are we going to get plane tickets to Sydney so soon? The expense—”
“Jenna’s bosses offered to let us use the company jet,” Marv said. “They’re worried about their employee as well, but it wouldn’t look good if they were to start hunting for her. She works mostly from her Sydney apartment, but they haven’t been able to get into contact with her. Because she’s only a visitor in the country as well, the logistics of involving the authorities are a bit muddled.”
I nodded my understanding, not liking the complexity of the situation. “We’ll leave tomorrow then,” I decided. “This will be good.”
Knix glanced at me skeptically and in response, I squirmed in Texas’ lap until he released me enough that I could climb over him and straight into Knix’s lap—white ruffled skirts and all. I grabbed his face in one of my hands, tilting him gently to look up at me with my fingers on his jawline. "In fact, I think this is just the thing to excite me," I continued. I leaned down and pressed my lips to his for a chaste kiss before grinning and flopping down on his other side as I regarded everyone else in the limo. "Besides, Australia is exciting. I’m sure we’ll find Clarissa’s niece and make sure she’s situated and safe and have some fun in the process.” I smiled brightly as if to assure them that I was more than happy with this change of plans.
Marv and Grayson eyed me skeptically. "Um, not to be the bearer of bad news...again," Grayson started.
"But have you ever been to Australia?" Marv finished.
I shook my head. "Well, no, but—"
"Believe me," he interrupted, "it’s hotter than Hades and everything is trying to kill you.”
"I'm sure it's not that bad," I argued.
"It is that bad," Grayson agreed. "Why do you think Knix is so sorry?"
I looked back to Knix and then to Bellamy and Texas. "What about you two?" I asked.
They shrugged as one. "We've never been," Bellamy answered.
I spotted the venue as we approached and gathered my skirts closer to my legs as the limo slowed down. “It’ll be fine,” I said. “Every new place has interesting things that are just waiting to be discovered. I’m sure it won’t be all that bad.”
Marv shook his head in a negative and Grayson struggled to contain his amusement. “As much as I love to tell you when you’re right, Babydoll,” he said, “in this, you’re wrong. In fact, if I didn’t think you’d whoop my ass, I’d ask that you stay behind.”
I narrowed my eyes on him in a glare. “You’re right,” I replied. “I would whoop your ass if you asked me to stay behind. If you’re going then so am I.”
Marv groaned and closed his eyes. “It’ll be fine,” I repeated, more sternly this time and as a last ditch effort to convince them that it wouldn’t be as bad as they apparently thought, I spoke again. “It’ll be great,” I stubbornly insisted as we pulled to a stop outside the venue.
Bellamy, Texas, and Knix didn’t reply, but Grayson and Marv both looked at me with sardonic amusement. “Whatever you say, Sunshine,” Marv replied. “But when you eat your words later, don’t get mad if we say ‘I told you so.’”
Frowning, I let them exit the limo first before waiting for Knix to reach back in and hand me out onto the sidewalk. I was determined to make our trip to Sydney, Australia a success now. We’d find Clarissa’s niece, keep her out of harm’s way, and if all went according to plan—I might even be able to seduce my new husbands into spending more than a few hours in a hotel hot tub.
I grinned at the image that plan brought forth.Yes, Australia was going to be great,I decided.