Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“The odds of that aren’t possible,” Juniper murmured, trying to sort everything.
“It’s baffled us, too. Each team member is repaying the man who brought us all together. He saved each of us from a bad situation. Now, it’s our turn to rescue someone else,” Magnus shared.
“So, I’m someone you’re obligated to save?” Juniper asked, sitting up straight in indignation. She noticed the women immediately shook their heads urgently.
“You are my assignment,” Magnus said. “How we feel about each other is completely separate from my role in keeping you safe.”
Sadie nodded her head. “It seems strange, but we think of Kingsley as a type of matchmaker. I would’ve fallen for Rocco no matter when I met him. The other team members also helped keep me safe. I would never have fallen for Kestrel, Hawking, or your Daddy. As wonderful as Magnus is, he’s not my Daddy,” she tried to explain.
Juniper studied Magnus’s face. Looking back at the time she’d spent with Magnus, she couldn’t pinpoint a moment when he’d treated her like a job. Her instant indignation evaporated as quickly as it had festered inside her. “Thanks for explaining, Sadie.”
“Yes, thank you, Sadie. This is all so strange to Juniper that it would be easy to panic and imagine bad things,” Magnus said, linking his fingers with hers to squeeze them reassuringly.
“Are you going to move in with us on the fifth floor?” Celeste asked.
Immediately, Juniper turned to stare at Magnus.
“Oops. Didn’t she know about our apartments?” Celeste backtracked quickly.
“She did not. I haven’t had time to talk to her about the fifth floor,” Magnus said, giving the other women a meaningful look.
“I think we should leave you to talk for a while. I’m at the desk all day today,” Sadie informed her. “Come see me if you have any questions.”
“We’ll mosey back to the lab. You’re welcome to come talk to us as well,” Zara offered.
“I’ve got some things to check on with the schedule,” Rocco added, following Sadie.
Within a minute, they were alone again. Juniper looked at Magnus and raised both eyebrows in disbelief. “I guess the restoration of the old resort is finished now on both the top and bottom floors.”
“It is. I’m sorry, Juniper. I chose not to tell you everything until I got to know you better.”
“I guess I can understand that,” she said, nodding her understanding.
“I’ll get you set up so you can press your thumb against the screen in the elevator, and it will take you to whatever floor you prefer. Photography is not allowed on either private floor. I would also ask that you do not photograph any of the Littles. They’ve already triumphed over evil. We don’t need to stir up any additional problems,” he stated firmly.
“Okay. I guess I can live with that,” she allowed. “Do I get to be part of the big group? It looks like you all are used to getting together.”
“You’ll join us for dinner here tonight.”
“In the basement?”
“Not quite as picturesque as the restaurants, but it’s as safe as a bank vault.”
“Can I enjoy the resort? You know, wander around?” she asked.
“Yes, Little girl, unless we detect Edmund Rivers. Then, you’ll need to stay in secured locations,” Magnus warned. “Come to my desk, and we’ll scan your thumbprint.”
Chapter Five
After getting her set up with access to the entire building, Magnus had gone to her room with her and toted everything upstairs. She’d instantly felt at home in the open area. It felt like a home with a large sectional seating area that would accommodate at least a dozen people.
“This is nice. What are all the pictures on the doors?” she asked.
“The Littles decorated them. It’s a cute way to keep track of where everyone lives,” Magnus explained.
“Oh. Who stays in the one with the cat?”
“That’s Celeste and Hawking. Sadie loves penguins, and Zara decorated hers with a swan. You’ll have to think about what you’d like to decorate our door with.”
“A kiwi,” she said without hesitation before realizing what he’d said. “Our door?”
“Yes. My apartment is this way.”
She followed him into the monochromatic space. “It’s lovely, but—gray.”
Magnus laughed and reported, “That’s what all the Littles said. We can paint it any color you’d like.”
“Oh, I won’t be here too long. I’m just here on vacation,” she rushed to tell him.
“You might as well be comfortable here,” Magnus said.
The corners of his mouth curved down. Did the thought of her leaving make him sad? That shouldn’t make her happy, but it did. “Where do I stay?”
“There’s a bedroom through my room,” Magnus explained, leading her into a large room equipped with a massive bed. “That makes it safer. He’ll have to go through me to get to you.”
“Do you really think Edmund is going to come here?”
“That kind of money and twenty years in jail are a big motivation to solve a mystery,” Magnus suggested.