“I think it’s following you for some reason. It tried to charm you in England. When you left, it followed you, which is unusual for an Unnatural.”
“Oh, dear.” I scratched my scar absentmindedly.
“Is the scar from the giant eel? Your father told me about your incident.” He touched the scar with the tip of his finger, tracing it along my inner wrist.
The simple contact made my spine wilt. “Yes,” I whispered.
The strokes became gentler and more curious. His fingers slid under the hem of my sleeve and caressed my skin in small circles.
“You could’ve died,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone with Oliver. Like an idiot, I believed him when he said he wouldn’t hurt you.”
“You couldn’t know.” I sounded husky and breathless.
“It won’t happen again.” He folded my hand into his and laced his fingers through mine. “The contract I signed?—”
“Forget the darn contract. Sod the contract. To hell with it.”
His lips parted. “Your parents have been very clear about what they expect from me.”
I glowered. “I can make my own choices. I don’t need them or you to choose for me.”
“They care about you. I care about you. We want to protect you.”
“Poppycock. They want to control my future. I won’t allow anyone to do that. Not even you.”
He kissed my hand. “I’d never do that.”
I leant closer. I couldn’t help it. He drew in a breath when our lips met midway. A groan rumbled out of him as I ran the tip of my tongue over his lips, taking care not to hurt him. I wanted to unbutton his shirt and run my hands over his smooth skin to feel his hard muscles. I wanted to sit on his lap and tangle my fingers through his hair. The maddening desire pounding through me was a completely foreign sensation to me because what I’d felt for Sandro had an artificial quality that left me a tad cold. But with Rennie, the sensation was stronger and warmer, and I embraced it with my whole heart.
The gondola came to a stop, jolting us. I was an inch away from him, my breath mingling with his.
“I like kissing you,” I whisper, staring at his flushed lips.
“So do I.” He kissed my hand again, muttering something under his breath before helping me out.
TheSS Florentiawas floating a few miles off the coast to preserve the fragile Venetian coast, thus the passengers had to board a small boat and sail towards the humongous cruise ship. My parents came out of another gondola, their faces darkening with worry as they walked over to me on the dock.
“Are you sure you want to carry on with your plan?” Mother asked me, taking my hands. “You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do. The Unnatural is following me. I want to end this affair.” I squeezed her hand to strengthen my point, wishing for her to understand.
“Good luck, darling.” Father kissed my cheek. “I’m so proud of you,” he whispered, bringing tears to my eyes.
“Thank you, Papa.”
My parents hugged me fiercely, then gave an equally fierce glare to Rennie.
“Take care of my daughter,” Mother said. The ‘or else’ was implied.
Rennie bowed from the waist. “I’d die for her, madam.”
I shot my gaze skywards. How dramatic. But Mother nodded in approval, her face lighting with respect for Rennie.
I waved at my parents as I headed towards the gangplank. When they were out of sight, I suppressed the urge to run after them and tell them to take me home. Running once meant running forever. I needed to face the lamia. It’d made fun of my feelings, playing with me. If I didn’t fight back, I’d become its victim, and I’d rather spend my life feeling sick on a ship than become a victim again, scared and isolated. Not anymore.
“What about Edward, Norton, and my charges?” I asked as Rennie and I strode along the main deck.
“The only good thing Oliver did was wipe Edward’s, his wife’s, and the detective’s memories. They don’t recall having ever involved you in the incident.”
