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“Then what made you think we’d be safer in Tortola?”
“You got a better idea?” he shouts at me, and I walk away.
“No,” I mutter, leaving him for the front of the boat.
The last thing I’m in the mood for is a Seth Hines poor-anger-management moment. I’ll stay in the bow until we get there.
When we ran from the killers in Monagasco, he said he had friends on Tortola who could hide us. Now we’re splitting up. Whatever, I’ll figure it out. It’s not like I believe for a moment it means Seth will leave me alone. I have the black American Express card with our shared money on it.
Like a joint-custody arrangement, it ties us together no matter how much I never want to see him again. I promised him five thousand dollars in Monagasco, and he’s not going anywhere until he gets it.
The boat rocks, moving fast, bouncing over the waves. It’s a dark night, and we’re the only ones on these waters as far as I can see. We’ll likely pass a cruise ship or two before we reach our destination, but they’ll take no notice of us.
I lean back against the bow, using the plastic bag containing my clutch, dress, and wig for a pillow. Closing my eyes, my thoughts go where they always do at night—to Cal’s smoky hazel eyes. I remember his warm hands cupping my cheeks and lifting my mouth to his. I picture his broad shoulders, his six-foot-two frame towering over me. I think of the way his golden-brown hair goes all sexy-messy when he pulls his shirt over his head just before he climbs into bed. I remember his lined torso and his strong arms. I feel his hard body pressed against mine, urgent and demanding as he takes what he wants, what we both want…
A large hand shakes me roughly, and I jump awake with a gasp, throwing my arms out. “What?!”
“Get up,” Seth snaps. “We’re here.”
I stretch my neck to the side, trying to orient myself. “I’m must’ve fallen asleep.” My voice is scratchy, and I rub my shoulder. “I slept in a weird position.”
“I’m surprised you slept at all with what’s hanging over us.”
Seth has no clue how Ava and I grew up, how many nights I barely slept listening for anyone creeping up on us. They might not have been men with guns, but some wounds go deeper than bullets. I follow him, walking low to the back of the boat to the long pier. It’s dark and deserted at this time of night.
Seth climbs up the wooden ladder then reaches back for me. “Like I said, we’ll split up,” he says. “I know a few guys from South Beach here. Blix is pretty connected. He’ll let me know if anybody’s snooping around, asking questions.”
We’re walking toward a deserted shopping area. A large clock mounted on an iron post tells me it’s after two in the morning.
“What kind of a name is Blix? Is that German?”
“Short for Blixen. He was a baron or something. Lost all his money and spent some time in Miami before moving further south.”
Sounds like a Nazi. My nose wrinkles at the thought. I know what kind of shit Seth was involved with in South Beach. “More like he’s on the lam.”
“Things were different ten years ago.”
I don’t believe that, but at this point, all I care about is a bed. “Do we at least have rooms?”
“You’re at Frenchman’s Hotel. I’ll be at Maria’s.” We’re through the small mall in an alley where the road diverges in opposite directions, and he stops. “I’m taking off. Here’s your address and info.”
He shoves a piece of paper in my hand, and a charge of panic hits me. “You’re leaving me here? In the middle of the night?”
“You’ll be okay. Tortola is relatively safe.”
“I’m sure it is—for the average tourist.”
He exhales a loud breath. “Look, my hotel is five blocks that way,” he points behind him, then he turns me roughly in the opposite direction. “Yours is two that way. Walk straight, don’t act suspicious, and no one will suspect anything.”
“You’re a jerk,” I say, shoving his hands off me.
“A jerk who saved your life.” His voice is impatient. “Look, I don’t have a gun. I’m not a fighter. If somebody jumped us, we’re better separated. Then I can get help.”
I notice he doesn’t say he’ll help me.
“You realize if something happens to me, you get nothing. No money.”
He’s already walking away from me toward his hotel. “You’re a survivor, Zee. Survive. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
