Page 68 of Wild Escape

"This boat. You are not to leave this boat without me or JD.”

"Does that mean you’re going to take these handcuffs off?" she said, batting her eyelashes at me.

I laughed. "Hell no. You'll stay in a below-deck stateroom, and I'll handcuff you to the bed.”

With naughty eyes, she said, “I might like that.”

“How did you get out of the cuffs?”

She smirked. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

“How?” I demanded.

“You shouldn’t leave paper clips in the glove box.”

I should have looked through the car before I left her unattended. At least she was back in custody.

"What happens if I have to go tinkle in the middle of the night?"

"Hold it. Or call me."

"You took my phone. How am I supposed to call?"

"I'm sure you have the lung capacity for it.”

She gave me a flat look.

"Are you hungry?”

"I could eat.”

I escorted her into the galley, found a menu from Diver Down, and had her look over it.

Her eyes rounded with excitement. "Oooh, I'll take the chicken quesadillas and a margarita."

"Sorry, your margarita privileges are suspended."

She frowned at me.

I took Jack's order, then called Teagan.

"I have some clothes and other items back at the Driftwood,” Daphne said. “And I'd really like to go back to my apartment, if possible.”

"I’d keep your requests to a minimum right now. You’re lucky I didn't leave you in the county jail overnight."

"You need me," she said with a sassy eyebrow. "If you want any chance of catching Dane and Brock, that is."

"I'm still waiting for you to come through. So far, you've been a disappointment."

She frowned at me.

Jack hustled down to Diver Down to pick up the food, then returned. I released Daphne's handcuffs and re-cuffed her in front so she could eat. The three of us chowed down on the sky deck.

The stars twinkled overhead, and a gentle breeze came off the water. Boats swayed in their slips.

JD and I sipped glasses of whiskey, and Daphne looked on with envy. "You know, one drink isn't going to hurt anything. I might become docile and compliant. Maybe not such a handful."

"At least you recognize you have a problem," I said.