Page 103 of Angel

I just killed a man.

In cold blood.

He was going to rape me and force me into marriage.

But he didn’t deserve to die like that.

We make our way through the luxurious boat, but I barely register my surroundings.

Jason says to the crew member with us, “Please show Gosia to one of the guest suites. Make sure she has everything she needs.”

He turns to her and his tone is gentle.

“Thank you for what you did back there. You’re a brave woman, Gosia, and I won’t forget that.”

She is nervous, and trembling, and Jason is so kind it touches my heart.

“You’re safe here. We’ll figure out a future for you that doesn’t involve ever going back to Miami or people like Emilio. If you want a ticket home, a new start, or to remain here, it’s your future to decide.”

“You’ll help me?”

Her eyes burn with gratitude and despite everything, I have a huge lump in my throat. He is so kind and it’s as if he takes problems and crushes them in his hands. I feel safe with him and yet I’m doubtful that my problems are as easily dealt with.

The crew member leads her away and I whisper, “Will she be okay?”

“She’ll be fine and you, Sophie–” He smiles. “Will also be just fine.”

“I wish I had your confidence.”

“Then I have enough for both of us. Come. Let’s get you dry. The ocean was cold; you must be freezing.”

“What about you?”

I note the water dripping from his expensive suit.

“I will also be fine.”

He curls his arm around my shoulder and I whisper, “I was so frightened, Jason. It was so dark and cold in the ocean. How did they know where to find us?”

“GPS tracking.” He holds out his arm.

“This watch is waterproof. All of my watches have a GPS device installed that is linked to my location. As soon as we hit the water, it sent out a distress call to my security company. The boat was alerted, not to mention that I instructed them to set sail the moment I realized what was going on at the party. It helps to have backup in an impossible situation.”

“You thought of everything.”

“I always do.”

We reach another cabin and I blink when we head inside because I was not expecting this. It’s luxurious, reeking of wealth, and as if it jumped out from a magazine of things you could never afford in your lifetime.

“This is the main cabin.”

I detect the pride in his voice.

“It’s yours. There’s a bathroom through the door in the corner and a walk-in closet beside it. I’m afraid I don’t have any women’s clothes in there, but you are welcome to help yourself to any of mine that you find.”

My teeth are chattering and not just from the cold. It’s beginning to hit me hard, and I can’t help it and burst into tears.

Jason pulls me into his arms immediately and strokes my hair, his hand wrapping around the back of it and whispers, “Let it out, princess.”