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“God, you’re annoyingly stubborn.”
“When it matters, yes. You’re annoyingly dictatorial.”
“When it matters.” He allowed a small grin and turned to lean back against the rail so he could see her face better. “So, here’s the deal. You ride with my father and stay out of sight. Completely and without a word. If you can’t agree to that…”
He revealed a length of rope he’d lifted from a hook by the stairs.
She gasped in outrage. “You wouldn’t dare!”
He met her wide eyes. “Try me, sweetheart.”
“Your father would never allow you to tie me up.”
“My father has absolutely no say in this matter. I shouldn’t have to remind you Lapaglia is not a nice man. He’s ruthless and vindictive. Not only did you video him murdering a cop, but you’ve evaded him enough times to make him look like an incompetent fool. I don’t trust the man to let bygones be bygones if he sees you.”
She lifted her chin again. “Ben woul
d never sit back and wait if I was in trouble.”
“You’ve more than done your part.”
She shook her head in denial.
He growled in frustration. “Make your choice, then. The deal, or the nice soft rope that’ll keep you safe.”
“Great choices.”
“They are what they are. At least I’m giving you one.”
She huffed and glared back over the water. “Sometimes I really—”
“Love me? I know.” He forced a laugh at her startled look, and then looked up when the drone of a motor caught his attention. “Look at that, the boat’s here. Show time, baby. I need an answer right now.”
Trent rubbed the smooth nylon rope against her skin, wishing he could replace it with his lips. She jerked her arm away and swung around to watch Giovani guide the rental boat around to their side of the dock.
If he thought he could get away with leaving her here, he’d do it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, she had that whole noble, stubborn thing going and he didn’t doubt her ability to raise hell to a holier-than-thou level. They couldn’t afford the attention with the clock ticking.
Maybe, just maybe, she’d stay behind of her own free will.
She set her jaw and shoved away from the rail. “Deal.”
Par for the course he’d been playing on the past couple of days. She wouldn’t be completely safe as he’d hoped, but at least she’d be out of the way.
After Giovani left, Trent took a few more minutes to make sure they were all completely clear on the plan. Then he turned for the rental boat before his father voiced the concern etched in features Trent didn’t remember looking so old the last time they’d seen each other. The switch from his father’s usual disappointment or anger threatened to undermine the detachment Trent needed to successfully survive the next hour.
“Trent.”
Halli’s low voice stopped him with one hand on the rail. His gut clenched. Much as he wanted to ignore her, he couldn’t help but turn around.
“Be careful, okay?”
Despite the fact that he’d just threatened to tie her up and leave her behind, trust radiated from her darkened blue eyes. Nothing like reminding him how much was riding on this exchange. How much she depended on him to save her brother. How much they both had to lose.
He struggled to summon the character who put emotions aside and got the job done. “I’ll do everything I can to keep Ben safe.”
“I’m not just talking about Ben.”
His heart lodged in his throat, but he managed a cocky smile. “Don’t worry about me, sugar, I can take care of myself.”
