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“There’s that dick again. What’s his fucking problem? You never did tell me how you know him. Was he the bloke you were talking to in Grant’s boat shop yesterday?” Peter asks in one long breath, the happy lilt of his voice gone now, replaced instead with a malice that unnerves me.
“His name’s Malakai. An old friend of the family,” I say, skirting the fact he and I gotveryclose last summer, not to mention this morning.Physically, at least. “I’m going to see what’s up. Sorry, we’ll have to rearrange that swim. I’ll see you later?”
Not giving him a chance to respond I walk towards Grandma and Malakai steeling myself for the fallout. As I step closer, their voices grow clearer. It’s glaringly obvious they’re arguing over me.
“Why are you here? You shouldn’t have returned, Malakai. Think of Connie,” Grandma Silva says with another prod of her finger. She’s oblivious to me, her hearing not as good these days. But Malakai notices. His gaze flicks up and meets mine.
“Iam,” he says.
The honesty of his response, and the feeling behind it has me swallowing hard. Is he? Because he certainly wasn’t thinking of me this morning when he finger fucked me in the ocean or yesterday when he laughed in the face of my anger.
“Grandma, I don’t need you to fight my battles for me,” I say, loud enough for her to hear. She turns to face me, her cheeks flushed and her dark blue eyes mad. I see a fierce protectiveness in them. Grandma is the kindest person you’ll ever meet but she won’t take any nonsense from anyone no matter how big or burly they might be, especially when it comes to me.
“Perhaps not, Connie, but I love you enough to tell this young man some home truths,” she retorts, turning back around to face Malakai who’s looking mildly amused by the whole encounter. Arsehole. “I refuse to watch you play with Connie’s emotions like this. You arenota child anymore and Connie is not now and never will be your toy. She deserves better than that. She has Peter now, leave her be.”
My cheeks flush at the memory of how Malakai had played with me this morning. Iamhis toy. Willingly. Despite the anger I still feel. He knows it, and so do I. Peterhasn’tgot me.
“Peter? You approve of that little prick?”
“Hehas done nothing to hurt her. You, however, have. I want you to leave.”
“Grandma!” I protest. She has no right to interfere like this. None.
“You’ve said what you needed to say, Ma. I’ve heard you loud and clear. Now it’s my turn.” Malakai looks directly at me, his scowl deepening. “I’mnothere for Connie.”
My insides curdle, but instead of letting his words hurt me, I grit my teeth and refuse to look away from his burning stare.
“Is that so?” Grandma Silva retorts, unconvinced given the tone of her voice.
“I’m here for personal matters. Matters pertaining to the King.Yourgodson.”
“What are you talking about?” she replies.
He shakes his head, glancing at me and the fishermen that are unloading their catch and the ferry from the mainland that’s making its way towards the harbour. Lola and Rob will be on it. As soon as she sees his boat, they’ll be hell to pay, or maybe indifference. I’m not entirely sure how she’s going to react, actually.
“Not something I’m willing to discuss here.”
Grandma Silva sighs heavily, looking at me then back at Malakai. “Fine. My house, this evening. You can tell me what the hell you’re talking about then, that’s if you survive Lola’s wrath,” she remarks, looking at the ferry drawing in.
Malakai briefly flicks his gaze to me. “Only if Connie’s out.”
I grit my teeth harder, pretty sure the sound of them grinding over one another can be heard halfway across the island. “That won’t be a problem. Peter and I are going on adate.”
Malakai’s eyes practically bug out of his face and his jaw goes slack.
Serves him fucking right.
Two can play this game.
