She hesitates.
“Speak your mind,” I say.
“Underneath all those trappings, I get the feeling you’re poorer than I am.”
That intrigues me.“What makes you think that?”
“Because I think you want what your money can’t buy.”
I raise my eyebrows and wait for her to continue.
“According to rumors, you’ve had a revolving door of women in your life.Everyone calls you a playboy, but I think it’s because you want to stop feeling alone.”She faces the sea, looking toward the island that’s not yet visible.
I feel like she punched me.How the hell did she cut through my mask and see what I don’t even show my family?
“Your wealth attracts people to you,” she continues, “but they don’t fill your void because they don’t know you and don’t really care to know you.”
Her words make me uncomfortable.To hide the discomfort, I tease, “Does my wealth attract you?”
“Not at all,” she says, her voice filled with truth.
“What about me attracts you, then?”I ask, still teasing.I’m trying to lighten the heaviness in the center of my chest but I’m playing a dangerous game and I know it.
Her face flushes.“N-Nothing does.”She draws in a breath, then shivers.
I remove my jacket and drape it around her forcing myself to do so without touching her.“We’ll go straight to the VIP party once we arrive so you may want to head to one of the guest bedrooms and change,” I say.
She points.“That way?”
“I’ll show you.”The sooner I have her out of my sight, the better.
I lead the way to the bedroom, but don’t enter.Salem walks in and whistles, then grins.“Wow.This is beautiful.”
I’m pleased that she likes it.“Then I’ll leave you to get changed.”I turn and come face-to-face with the chef’s assistant.
“Mr.Montclair, there’s a shore-to-ship call for you.”
It’s not the first time I’ve received a call to the yacht because cell service is spotty in the area.The last few times, it was something to do with the company and I expect this call to be similar.
It’s not.I’m not a religious man by any stretch of the imagination, but after I get off the call, I find myself offering a prayer that my family will be okay.I instruct the captain to arrange for one of the company helicopters to pick us up.
“What’s wrong?”Salem asks, her eyes searching my face.
“Oliver was in a car accident and after hearing the news, my grandfather collapsed.They were both taken to Laketon Heights General Hospital.”The news shocks me, reminding me of when my brother Theo was in an accident caused by our father.
I’m barely aware of Salem jumping into action sending a flurry of emails.When she finishes, she comes to sit beside me.
“I notified the resort that the visit will be rescheduled and I cleared your appointments for the next few days.Don’t jump to worst case scenario.Everything will be okay,” she says fiercely as if she’s willing it to be true.
“Don’t jump to worst case scenario?Are you a bad news expert?”I ask, glad she’s here, glad she’s trying to keep my mind off what could be happening.I’m close with my grandfather.
When he found out about my kidnapping, he made sure the man wouldn’t get away with it when it appeared he might.
“I don’t know about expert, but I’ve had my fair share.”
“What happened?”
She smiles.“Are you sure you want to hear my sad little tale?”
