Page 55 of Under the Influence

I think back to every interaction I’ve witnessed between them. Jovie obviously likes him. It must be killing her that I’m with him right now. Doesn’t he realize this is not the way?

“This has nothing to do with Jovie,” he assures. “Now get out.”

His harsh tone, and the slamming of the door, cause me to jump to the pavement. I do as he says, following him through the alleyway, wondering if I’m about to witness a drug deal.

“Okay,” he whispers. “Down those steps and to the left is the marina.”

I’m not following, “And?”

“Get behind the desk, steal the keys. Slip thirty-five.”

“What?” I whisper-shout. “No fucking way.”

“Yes, go. Now.”

I step away, “If you want them so bad, you go get them!”

“I can’t. They know me, and they’ll know what I’m doing.”

“You’ve stolen them before?”

He snorts, “It’s hardly stealing. It’s my dad’s boat.”

“Then why don’t you ask him for the keys instead of sneaking around like a criminal?”

He lets out a frustrated breath, “You might act all sweet and innocent, but I know you, Princess.” He closes the gap between us, causing my heart to beat a little more frantically. “I know what you did in Chicago. I know about Aspen Porter, and I know about the video.”

I feel tears burning my eyes as he steps away, and a cold rush of air fills my lungs, causing me to nearly choke. How does he know about any of that?

“You and I both know there was a video, wasn’t there?” he smirks. “Isn’t that why daddy is back home searching high and low for it? To make sure it doesn’t get out and ruin your family’s reputation? Or worse, seal the deal that you are actually responsible for everything? You… and what was his name, again? Zander?” he seethes.

I push him hard, his back flying into the historical brick building we are hiding behind, “You don’t know anything.”

His lips tilt into that wicked panty-melting grin, one I hate but also love. “Hurry back,” he snaps. “Quit pretending to be something you aren’t.”

He may not know everything like he claims, but he’s not wrong. Back home, I wasn’t perfect, and I lied to my parents, to Aspen, to everyone.

The keys aren’t as hard to take as I thought. I distract the receptionist and slip them off the hook beneath the desk. I pocket them quickly, so no one notices anything, and head back out to hand them over to Nash.

His face is so smug, too, like he knew I’d do whatever he said. It makes my skin crawl, so I shove the keys at him.

“Can you take me home now?”

“No, now come on,” he demands, turning to take off toward the dock.

“What! Are you crazy? No.”

“Come on, Corinne. Don’t be difficult.”

“Difficult?” I huff. “It’s flooding, and we’re under a severe thunderstorm watch. There’s no way in hell I’m going out there with you.”

As I step onto his dad’s boat, those feel like my famous last words. I was completely expecting a million-dollar yacht, but I’m sure that this boat cost a fortune as well. Nash knows his way around and obviously knows what he’s doing. So no, it doesn’t make me feel safe, but it makes me feel… better, I guess.

“Everyone is going to know it was you.”

“Yeah, my dad will get over it. It’ll be back before he realizes I took it.”

I meant everyone would know that he killed me if that was his plan, but I guess murder isn’t on his brain. Thank God.