Page 108 of Alonzo

“Isn’t there always a catch when you’re a fisherman?”

“Point.”

“Yeah. There’s a catch.”

“Name it, sunshine. I’ll do anything. Whatever it takes for you to reel me in and take me home.”

“Can we still… phone-fuck every once in a while?”

I laugh. But I point at her. “I’m good at it, right?”

“So fucking good. You’re the hottest dirty-talking accountant ever, Lonnie.”

I kiss her properly. And I really want to back her up, kick the door closed with my foot, and fuck her right now.

But I can’t. Because our happily ever after won’t be real until tomorrow night is over and none of us are in prison for human trafficking.

CHAPTER THIRTY - TARA

The sun hovers over the ocean like a low-hanging fruit when Alonzo and I part ways on the dock the next evening. He kisses me, but I don’t kiss him back.

“Why are you being so difficult, Tara?”

“You know why. I want to go with you. Wasn’t this the point of that conversation last night? Did you ever ask yourself if that stupid siren would’ve gone around cursing people if she wasn’t stuck on some fucking island, bored out of her mind?”

He smiles at me. It’s one of those patient smiles. The kind of smile someone aims at you when they love you, but you’re about to plunge headfirst into a big ol’ pool of desperate pleading.

“I just want to go with you. I thought we worked this out?”

“We did work it out.”

“No. You, and Johnny, and Chek, and Tony came up with a plan. And I’m not anywhere in that plan.”

“Not even true.” He puts a hand over his heart. “And anyway, you’ll be with me in spirit.”

“Don’t be a dick. I want to be part of this. I want to help. I’m an orphan, Alonzo. I know a thing or two about what these kids have been through.”

He sighs. My hope actually begins to rise. I even start picturing myself on this daring adventure. Dashing in on the Precious Cargo, gathering up all those kids, and ferrying them to safety.

But Alonzo just chews his lip, so I feel the need to add a little more to tip him over the edge and make him give in. “I want to be part of the adventure. The action, like you. I want to be the hero.”

He takes my hand and brings it up to his lips. I smile. Pretty sure I know what he’s gonna say. Something along the lines of, Tara Tanner, you are the bravest, most selfless, altruistic, good-hearted person I’ve ever met. Of course you can come. We need someone like you.

He kisses my knuckles gently, then whispers past them as he looks me in the eyes. “Don’t be selfish. This isn’t about you.”

“What?” I actually guffaw the word. “Selfish?”

“Tara. This is the last thing I’m gonna say on the subject. Then I’m getting on that boat, you’re getting on that one over there, and hopefully everything goes as planned and I’ll see you on the other side.”

“How dare you call me selfish? I’m here for the kids!”

“I didn’t call you selfish. I know you’re not selfish. I’m simply asking you not to start being selfish now.” I open my mouth to protest, but he puts up a hand. “Listen. You have an important job to do. And it’s different than mine. When you look at a machine it has many parts. And they all do different things, but they are still working together. We’re both allowed to have our own beautifully dangerous lives, Tare.” He places both hands on my cheeks. “And I want you to live yours.”

“Wait. Are you… breaking up with me?”

He laughs. “Not a chance, sunshine. Not a fucking chance in hell.”

He nods to Quint and joins him on the deck of the Precious Cargo. He looks back at me as Quint begins to motor out of the slip, and waves. Then he turns away.