Welcome to the Cassadines: Book II of Kismet

Chapter Twenty-four

*Base Hit*

"I hate bloody puzzles." Jax muttered varied expletives through clenched teeth. It didn't help when Sabrina laughed at him. "Your sense of humor is not an asset at this time."

"In other words, you want me to shut up." She smirked. "Never in a million years would I see a resemblance between you and Stefan, but there it is. Blonde hair, green eyes and over usage of the Queen's language."

She had noticed a bizarre tile pattern on the wall in the kitchen area. Because of her keen eye, they decided that this must be a clue and decided to investigate. In other words, tear the wall apart. Jax had no idea how much time had passed, but judging by the numbness in his fingers, they'd been at it for awhile.

After much chipping and pulling, they met success. Exhaustion prevented Jax from doing a dance. "Can you fit through there?" he asked, pointing at the hole in the wall.

"Oh, yeah," she said. "I've dropped at least ten pounds." Her vibrant eyes sizzled, as she looked him over from head to toe. "I'd wager that you can fit, too. I'll go first."

She moved in, head first, leaving her rear open to his eager ogling. Desire ignited inside his brain and his pants. His hands itched to touch that glorious rounded backside. Yet, he resisted.

A few grunts and twists later, she completely disappeared. A loud thud followed her vanishing act.

"Oh, my God!"

Her cry brought a chill to his bones. He dived into the hole, shouting her name. "Sabrina, I'm coming!"

Hands grabbed him as he reached the other side. He struggled.

"Relax, Jax," Sabrina said. "They're helping."

He stopped and gave his helpers a good look. Were his eyes deceiving him? He recognized two faces--Sheena Adams and Cliff Montgomery--from his teenage years. As he stood, he stared at them and then at Sabrina. "What the hell is going on here?"

"Looks like an impromptu class reunion," Sabrina quipped.

"A reunion of childhood sweethearts," Sheena added.

Jax became still. His thoughts churned. "None of this was random after all."

~*~

"Buon giorno." Dawn stood aside as the bellhop delivered her luggage. When he moved to leave, she began to tip him. "Grazie."

The young man shook his head. "Grazie, signorina. No, non è necessario, ma grazie mille."

He backed from the room and Frisco appeared in the doorway. Her superior closed the door upon his entry.

"Did you tip him?" she asked. "He wouldn't take anything from me."

"It's all taken care of." Frisco shrugged. "Consider it a perk of the WSB. The Bureau handles everything."

"Sweet." She tossed her suitcase onto the bed and began to unpack.

He laughed. His gaze traveled around the room. "The rooms are well equipped, but if you need anything, let me know. That door connects our rooms."

Alarm bells sounded inside her head. She glanced over her shoulder at the door and then at Frisco. Color heightened his high cheekbones. The smile in his eyes contained a sensuous flame. She turned away, unsure if she should believe the hidden subtext that assaulted her mind.

"I'm sure I'll be fine."

"I'll keep it unlocked just in case."

A flicker of apprehension coursed through her. "Um...okay."