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But standing next to the boat, a startling realization crashed into me, dashing my hopes. How the hell did I start the boat, let alone drive it across the sea to the mainland?

Convincing myself that it would be obvious once I was in the cockpit, I clambered into the boat. My heart sank further, though, as my eyes darted over the myriad of dials on the control panel, all of them different sizes, and with arrows pointing at different numbers. The boat’s wheel was centered in the middle of the dials, with four levers on either side of it.

I spun to face the rear of the boat, hoping by some miracle that an instruction booklet would appear. Of course, my wish wasn’t answered. I turned back to the dials, searching for a keyhole to start the boat, but failing to find one.

I cursed myself for my foolishness. What the hell was I thinking? I honestly believed it would be as simple as starting the engine and keeping the boat in a straight line until I reached the mainland.

I was an idiot.

A stupid, naive idiot.

A soft tap from nearby startled me, and this time, I couldn’t hold the gasp in as I twisted to the jetty. Panic shot up my throat, fear holding words prisoner as I stared at Wallace, his robe wrapped around him and his hair messy as if he’d just rolled out of bed.

I didn’t know if it was better or worse that he’d caught me as opposed to Jacob.

“Wallace, I…uh, I…” I stuttered, trying to force out an innocent explanation as to what I was doing.

Before I could make an excuse for why I was standing in the boat, Wallace wiggled his fingers in a come-here motion, irritation creasing his features. I swallowed the lump of dread that landed in my stomach as I begrudgingly stepped out of the boat and placed the keys into his open palm.

“Wallace…please don’t tell Jacob.” I could barely hold his eye, shame burning my cheeks.

At the desperate plea lacing my words, his features softened, and then he did something that I’d never seen him do before.

He smiled.

A kind, understanding curl of his lips as he reached a hand out to squeeze my shoulder and bobbed his head. Maybe he’d experienced Jacob’s personality changes too, and knew what I’d experienced a few hours ago.

The tension coiled in my stomach unfurled slightly. I still didn’t trust Wallace, but given that I had no other choice but to return to the house with him, I chose to believe that his silent agreement was a promise that he wouldn’t break.

Releasing my shoulder, Wallace indicated for me to follow him, and I walked by his side back along the jetty, my gaze trained to the floor, and sorrow drowning me. I hadn’t even come close to getting off the island, and I internally cursed myself again for my stupidity at thinking that I would be able to drive the boat.

Wallace led me inside, but instead of directing me back to the bedroom, he guided me to the kitchen and over to a stool by the breakfast bar that I’d never been allowed to sit at before. Jacob had always insisted that meals were eaten in the dining room, even if I were eating alone.

Once seated, Wallace pulled a tin of hot chocolate powder from a cupboard and waved it at me, his brow raised in question. “Oh, yes, thank you. A hot chocolate would be lovely.”

It wouldn’t solve my problems, but it would at least warm me up and give me a bit more time before I returned to bed next to Jacob. Plus, maybe I could find a friend in Wallace after all.

I chewed my bottom lip as Wallace pottered around the kitchen, making my drink while I sat silently, bathing in mortification at my failed escape attempt. When he placed the steaming drink in front of me, I gave him a grateful smile and wrapped my hands around the mug.

It was too hot to drink, so for several minutes, I stared at the swirling liquid, lost in thought as Wallace cleared up the mess he’d made. When the drink cooled, I sipped it, relishing the sweetness on my tongue.

Wallace made good hot chocolate.

Once the kitchen was tidy, Wallace took the stool next to me, not looking in my direction, but giving me a few minutes to enjoy my drink. For the first time since meeting Wallace, I found comfort in his silence, knowing he was there but wasn’t able to voice any judgement.

Downing the last mouthful of hot chocolate, I placed my mug on the breakfast bar, my eyelids suddenly heavy. Out of nowhere, nausea crept up my throat, my stomach spinning like it had done a few nights ago while I was dining with Jacob.

I climbed off my stool, intent on getting to the sink to vomit, but my legs refused to work. My knees buckled, darkness shrouding my vision, and the last thing I saw before the black hole swallowed me was Wallace hovering over me with a triumphant grin on his face.

Chapter 14

Wincing against the marching band parading in my head, I tentatively cracked my eyes open. Expecting to wake to open balcony doors, seagulls’ cries floating in, and the saltiness of the sea air filling my nostrils, confusion streaked through me when I was met with a dull-grey ceiling and deafening silence.

Ignoring the sting in my ass cheeks, I pulled myself into a sitting position, my confusion growing stronger at finding I wasn’t in the comfy bedroom I’d grown accustomed to, but was in a tiny room made of four concrete walls.

Panic roiled in my stomach as I glanced around, trying to recall the events of the night before, but failing.

Was I still asleep, but trapped in a nightmare?