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“I’m sure it’s a beautiful story but—”
“Our wedding was in April,” Juan interjected, speaking as if he hadn’t heard her. “It was autumn in Cartagena. Beautiful colors. Ours will be, too.”
Sean cut Juan a furious look, rage burning in his eyes.
“Our what?” Asia whisper-cried.
“I won’t take you before our wedding night, just like Marina. You will give me another chance at happiness. A few children, too.”
Sean widened his stance and flexed his fingers. A vein popped out in his neck, and a muscle ticked in his temple. He looked ready to attack Juan with his bare hands.
“From now on,” Juan continued, “you stay by my side. I don’t want you out of my sight.”
He was crazy. “I–I can’t. I have—” She was going to say she had her grandmother and brother at home, but she wanted this man to know as little as possible about her life and her family. “I have responsibilities at home.”
“Consider them taken care of. Whatever you need, you only have to ask.” He turned to Sean. “I apologize on behalf of my deceased wife. I’m sorry for her behavior. Can I assume we’ve put this behind us?”
Sean didn’t reply. Asia was sure he’d put nothing behind him.
“Good,” Juan said. “I believe you may want to join the others for a strong mix to take the edge off this morning’s rather surprising turn of events.”
Realizing Sean would have to leave her alone with Juan, she thought quickly. “I can’t stay in your apartment. It won’t look right. People will think—”
“I’ll arrange for you to move into the unit next door, but the sooner everybody knows you belong to me, the better.”
She tried to think of something, anything she could say to win her time to escape, but all she could come up with was, “I better get to work.”
“You’re with me now,” Juan said. “You don’t have to.”
Her stomach dropped. “Your guests will be disappointed.”
“It’s my party. I can do as I please.”
“I want to.” She added quickly, “I enjoy the work.”
Juan regarded her for a few seconds. “This is important to you? I know some women feel they have to do something constructive.”
“I need to stay busy,” she said as convincingly as she could.
“Fine.” He glanced at his guard, as if contemplating a decision. “There isn’t a threat any longer, and we are on an island. I suppose you can move around freely.”
She forced a smile. “Thank you.”
Before he could change his mind, she made her way to the door, trying hard not to break out into a run. Sean followed hot on her heels.
“Marina?”
She stopped in her tracks. Both the name and Juan’s voice grated on her soul. This situation was sick. Swallowing down aversion and fear, she turned slowly.
Juan was studying her suitcase that stood next to the coffee table. “Is this yours?”
A cold shiver crawled down her spine. “Um, yes.”
He lifted his gaze to hers. “Were you running away?”
The guard stopped scrubbing to look between her and Sean.
Sean stepped up. “I was going to smuggle her off the island when I heard of Jeanne’s plan this morning. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it. Jeanne intercepted us by the boat.”
Juan narrowed his eyes. “Is that so?”
After a moment’s stare-off, when Sean didn’t falter under Juan’s scrutiny, Juan’s posture slackened.
“If what you say is true,” Juan mused, “then making you a part of the act was Jeanne’s way of punishing you for interfering with her plan.” He brushed a thumb over his bottom lip as he considered Sean. “Tell me, Sean. Why would you risk such a dangerous punishment?” His lips pulled into a cold, flat smile. “Is it because you have feelings for Asia?”
“I don’t,” Sean said without hesitation.
“You don’t care for her?”
“Of course, I care. I would’ve done the same for anyone. I couldn’t stand by and watch Jeanne shoot her.”
“You don’t care like a lover?”
“No.” Sean looked Asia straight in the eye. “Not like a lover. We’re colleagues, roommates. She didn’t deserve what Jeanne had planned.”
“Would you fuck her if you had the chance?”
Asia bit her lip to prevent herself from saying something that would surely get both Sean and her killed.
“If she agreed, yes,” Sean said with a shrug. “Who wouldn’t?”
Juan nodded. “That’s an honest answer.” Seemingly satisfied, he said, “Go.”
Asia reached for her suitcase, but Juan snatched it up. “This can stay here.”
Everything she owned was in that suitcase, but her life was worth more. She’d have to escape without it.
“I won’t confiscate your phone,” Juan continued. “I don’t want your family to worry if they don’t hear from you. However, if you make the mistake of mentioning what has happened here today to someone, you put a death warrant on that person’s life. And don’t think you can call anyone for help. You’re not getting off this island. Anyone who comes for you will end up in the shark pool with Jeanne. Understand?”
