He tried to shake that thought off, but it was sadly true.
Melene looked up at him, her own eyes full of fire. “Yes, Aquaman, that’s right. Melissa. Now put me down please so I can talk to my new friends.”
Aiden rolled his eyes, heaved out a disgruntled breath, and let her feet slide to the sand. She immediately sank to her knees so she was on the boys’ level.
“How are you handsome guys doing?” she asked, all sweet and perfect and far too naïve.
“We’reirie,” the spokesman said, pronouncing it ahy-ree. Aiden always enjoyed hearing local slang.
“What are your names?”
“I’m Ace, and this here is Dante,” the taller of the two said. “Is the tough guy hurting you?”
“Oh no, sweetheart.” Melene blinked up at him. “No. He’s my hero, actually.”
The boys both nodded and one put a fist out to Aiden to bump. He bumped it, but he wanted to end this interaction no matter how sweet and innocent it seemed.
“That’sirie.” Dante smiled, showing several missing teeth.
“And what are you tough guys doing on the ocean by yourselves at night?” Melene still looked happy as sunshine to see them, but she obviously didn’t want them in danger. Forget that she might be placing herself there.
“We’re gonna fish, mon. No worries,” Ace drawled out. He looked her over. “You the prettiest lady I haveeverseen. Are you famous?”
Melene let out a peal of tinkling and beautiful laughter. “No, sweetie. I’m not at all famous.”
“Ya sure? Your face is so beautiful, I think I musta seen it in ma dreams.” He winked. “Or you’re a movie star.”
Melene laughed again, but the boys were studying her far too intently and Aiden’s senses were tingling. They’d seen her face somewhere. Maybe they’d seen the bounty and a picture on some device, or maybe Phillip was circulating posters and flyers to every remote spot of the world at this point. Who knew? Aiden had to get her out of here. How soon could Papa relocate them? He didn’t want to go it on his own, but he might have to.
“Mel … Melissa. We’ve got to go.” He didn’t want to raise their suspicions further.
“Just a moment, Aquaman.” Her sweet smile was irresistible, but he had to resist it. These boys might be no danger at all, but he couldn’t count on that. He was itching to call Papa and make some quick and smart decisions. Much smarter than when he’d almost kissed her. What an idiot he’d been.
“Yo, Aquaman?” Ace asked. “You don’t have all the tats or long hairs.”
Aiden shook his head and would’ve smiled if he wasn’t so concerned. They were seriously cute kids.
“But he swims faster than Aquaman,” Melene confided in them.
“Sweet,” Ace said. He looked back at Melene. “I got it. You’re the lady from Mission Impossible.”
“Thandie Newton,” Aiden said before he could stop himself. He focused on Melene’s beautiful face. “She does look like her.”
“But you’re not her?” Dante asked, obviously disappointed not to be meeting a famous actress.
“Sorry, no.” Melene shook her head.
“And we’ve got to go.” Aiden tried for a stern look.
Melene nodded as if resigned to listen to him. She stood and then bent and gave each of the boys a hug. “It was wonderful to meet you both, Ace and Dante,” she said warmly.
“You too, beautiful.” They climbed back into their boat and Aiden shoved them off.
They both waved and set off, paddling and chattering again.
Aiden turned and wrapped his hand around Melene’s elbow, directing her to the stairs. She paused to pick up her shoes.
“Sorry. They were just so cute I had to say hi,” she said as they walked up the stairs.