Page 70 of Wild Escape

“Good night, Daphne. Shout if you need anything.”

“How about a bottle of water and maybe a snack in case I get hungry in the middle of the night?”

“Fair enough.”

I headed up to the galley, grabbed a bottle of water, and found a protein bar. I returned and set them on the nightstand by Daphne’s bed. By that time, she had reclined and was watching TV.

I left and climbed the companionway to the main deck. I grabbed Buddy’s leash and took him out for a quick walk before returning to the Avventura and settling in for bed.

I was reasonably certain Daphne couldn’t escape.

35

Islept like a rock.

The morning sun filtered through the blinds, and I stretched and yawned. No emergency calls in the middle of the night. Nobody waking me up in the morning.

I had almost forgotten about Daphne.

That’s when I smelled the delightful aroma of coffee and bacon.

I looked at the clock. It was a little past my normal hour of waking. I figured Jack was in the galley.

I pulled myself out of bed, took a shower, and went through my morning routine. I stumbled down to the galley and got a hell of a surprise.

Daphne grilled breakfast.

She scrambled eggs and grilled hash browns. Wearing those jean shorts and a bikini top, she wasn’t a bad sight in the morning.

My brow knitted with confusion. “How did you…?”

“Haven't you figured it out, sweetie? Handcuffs don't work on me.”

I gave her a look.

"You're out of your mind if you think I'm going to tell you my secret. But feel free to handcuff me again. I'll get right back out.”

I poured myself a cup of coffee.

"I didn't run off,” she said. “I could have easily gotten off this boat and out of this ankle monitor. But I'm still here. I'm going to play it by the book from now on. So you don't need to worry about me.”

My skeptical gaze persisted. "Why the change of heart?”

"I had a lot of time to think about it last night. And after further evaluation, it's just not worth it. I’ve got an opportunity to wipe the slate clean. Why not take it? If I lose $30 million in the process, big deal. My freedom is worth more than that.”

I was still suspicious.

JD stumbled into the galley. “Morning.”

“Morning,” Daphne replied in a cheery voice.

He did a double take, then muttered to me, “Why isn’t she handcuffed?”

I shrugged.

“You didn’t…?”

I knew what he was getting at. “No.”