Catch of a Lifetime Read Free

back if any seawater touches it, so it's very impor tant that doesn't happen around grown-ups, okay?"
       Michael's little chest puffed out as he sat on the cush ion next to her. "I'm the only one who knows about you, aren't I?"
       Angel tapped the rim of his hat. "Yes, you are. And I wasn't even supposed to let you know, so we definitely can't tell Logan."
       "Are you gonna get in trouble?"
       So much it wasn't funny. Unless she could make this situation work to her advantage. "Not if we keep my tail a secret, okay?"
       Yes, Rod, her brother the High Councilman, would be so proud of the lies.
    Not.
       Truth was, she wasn't either, but what could she do? Harry had been all about getting a Mer meal last night, and she'd been the only one around. So she could either have climbed aboard the fishing boat, or…
       Or nothing. Harry or the boat. There was no other choice.
       "Okay, I won't tell. I can keep a secret. Cross my heart and hope to spit."
       That comment didn't make any more sense now than it had last night when she'd slipped on board just before dark. On the lookout for adult Humans, she hadn't seen the child, but he'd certainly seen her.
       One thing about kids: they were infinitely more ac cepting than their adult counterparts—which was the basis of her plans for the Mer-Human Coalition her brother was forming. Michael had gone with the fact that she was a Mer and understood her need to stay out of sight of adults. He hadn't turned her in then, so she had high hopes he wouldn't do so now.
       Not that she was condoning his lying to his father, but when it came to her life or a child's honesty, she was going with her life.
       Still, The Council could bring charges against her for this.
       If only Hammerhead Harry had kept to the truce agreement with The Council, she could have conducted her research without any detection, let alone face-to-face contact. All she'd been trying to do was monitor Human fishing practices, but the stupid shark just had to show up. Then she'd had to unload everything to the bottom of the sea so she could have a chance of outswimming him. There went all her notes, all her tools, and a lot of her self-respect.
       But she now had the perfect opportunity to redeem herself and learn enough to earn the position of director of the Coalition she'd wanted in the first place.
       All thanks to Harry—not that she'd ever tell him.
       "I'm sorry I caught you last night, Angel." Michael unwrapped a small pink, rectangular item he'd pulled from his pocket, then shoveled it into his mouth. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
       She stopped herself from rubbing the spot just above her big toe where Michael's fishhook had sliced into her fluke. First time in recorded history that a Human had actually hooked a Mer with a fishing line—and a child, no less. Without trying. She wouldn't be spreading that story around any time soon.
       And, fish! That hook had hurt. But, ironically, it had been what saved her. She wouldn't have thought to use a boat to escape a shark otherwise.
       "It's okay, Michael. Mers are fast healers, and you did save my life. Harry wouldn't come near me once you caught me." Sharks were more afraid of Humans in hunting mode than of going hungry.
       Michael let the colorful wrapper flutter to the deck. "What's a Mer, Angel? I thought you were a mermaid."
       Angel picked up his refuse and held it out to him. "Here. You shouldn't litter. It damages the planet."
       "But it's only a piece of paper." He chomped on the substance… ah, chewing gum.
       Amelia the pelican was a huge fan of the stuff, which she found on any dock, beach umbrella, or other surface where Humans congregated. Talk about dam aging the planet.
       "It's only a little piece of paper from you, Michael, but what if everyone did the same thing? Then there would be a lot of paper."
       "Oh. Okay. I'll throw it in the trash." He took the