Lying on his stomach in a clump of sea oats, Staal watched as the strawberry blond woman stripped down to bathe. He grew painfully aroused watching her soap her breasts and bend down to wash her legs, exposing herself fully to him. If the bitch weren't a kidnapper, he'd like to have a go at that plump pink pussy. As it was, she'd be lucky to escape alive. No one stole a merchild and lived to tell it. Yeah, he'd definitely be back to make a justice call, once he'd completed his mission. Easing back the way he'd come, he made his way carefully around to the other side of the house. He'd just slip in, retrieve his niece and have her well out to sea before the human was any the wiser. A smirk twisted his bold masculine features. The human would play hell getting anyone to believe her if she didn't have a specimen to back up her allegations. He stopped by the front door and listened for any sound from inside the house. Hearing nothing he noticed the mailbox lid was open and checked out its content. When he returned to enact his revenge, he wanted to know who he was looking for. Isabo Maready, the address read. He committed the name to memory. Gingerly he turned the doorknob. Shit. Who locked doors out in the boondocks like this? Sidestepping he tried a window. That one appeared to be painted shut. Methodically he worked his way around, looking for an easy point of entry.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? I'm going to call the sheriff." An irate feminine voice cut through the dusk.
Perfect. Just what he needed, another problem. Staal decided to bluff. "How do you do?" He smiled, hoping to put her at ease. "My name is Staal Jusko and I've come to get my niece back."
Wrapped in a threadbare beach towel with another twisted about her head, Isabo approached the skulking man. "Bullshit."
"I beg your pardon?" The intruder wore a pair of swim trunks, riding low on his hips, and nothing else.
How could a common thief sound so uppity? Isabo narrowed her eyes, looking him over. On second thought there was nothing common about the man. Six feet two, broad shoulders and narrow hips, dark brown hair and the most incredible aquamarine eyes she'd ever seen. He was damn near perfect. She gave his crotch a quick glance. The healthy bulge made her think he might just be entirely perfect. "Beg all you like. But be gone from here by the time I get inside or I'll have the law after you." She headed for the kitchen door, careful not to turn her back on the intruder.
Staal followed her. "Wait. You don't understand. Lorali needs to go home."
Isabo squared her shoulders and faced off with the guy. "What I understand is the baby was caught in fishing line that was attached to a sunken boat." Her voice rose as she warmed to her subject. "Sharks were circling. Who the hell was supposed to be watching her?" What? I've fallen through the rabbit hole? I'm on Candid Camera? I can't believe I'm standing here talking to some kind of He-man about a mermaid. Her animated face shut down. "Look Mister..."
"Jusko. Staal Jusko."
"Mr. Jusko, it's been a long day. I'm afraid you've got the wrong house. I don't know what you're talking about. And if you don't get off my property, I'll call the cops." She stepped through the doorway and turned the deadbolt, the click putting an emphatic end to the conversation.
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