Page 48 of Blue in the Deep Blue Sea

Then footsteps crossed to the door, and a moment later the lock clicked shut behind them.

I pulled my hand away from Gabriella’s mouth and stepped back.

She straightened immediately, glaring at me.

“You could’ve smothered me.”

“I can see you’re still breathing.” I shrugged. “You’re welcome.”

She shut her eyes and took a slow breath through her nose, trying to compose herself.

“Whatever.” She waved a hand and headed for the door.

“Before you leave,” I said, stepping closer. My hand rested against the doorframe. “Don’t trust anyone. Not even Isabella.”

“And who should I trust?” A mocking smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. “You?”

“Just be careful,” I said with a sigh, stepping aside.

I watched her walk away, my eyes fixed on her back as if it might reveal what she was thinking.

Instead, it only left me with more questions than answers. But if I wanted answers, I had to let her go.

12

SQUALO

Ifollowed her, sneaking through the hallways like I didn’t own the yacht. I watched her slip into bed and curl onto her side. She’d left the door slightly open behind her, just enough for me to notice she was only one there. She hugged the pillow to her chest before the first tear escaped, then another, until she let herself cry.

I’d bet anything I was the reason. I knew the tears she’d cried over me through the years could fill the Adriatic Sea.

“Stalker much?” Isabella said behind my back.

I jumped, my heart lurching. Turning around, I faced her.

“Never. I just wanted to make sure she was in bed, safe.”

“Right.” she scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Why are you here?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

“You told me to wait in the master suite, remember?”

“Now that I think about it, it was a bad plan,” I said.

“Yes, but since we’re here, let’s not waste each other’s time.” She sat down in the middle of the stairs, then patted the carpet beside her, inviting me to sit. “I never liked you, and I don’t want to be friends,” she began, making my brow furrow and thecorner of my lip twitch in confusion. “But I think you can help us find Gianni.”

“Good.” I chuckled. “The feeling is mutual.”

“Jokes aside,” she said, “Someone tried to kill me tonight. And I’m afraid the same person tried to do the same to Gianni.”

My jaw clenched. Every muscle in my body went still as I focused on every word she said.

“Why would they do that?”

She pressed her lips together. Her lower lip trembled.

“Gianni and I saw something.”