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Chapter Sixty-four
As they all disembarked, Duke Harrison waved from the passenger area near the waiting ambulance, his suited presence standing out from the more casual appearance of the returning travellers and others on the pier.
Mari, not sure what to expect, motioned for the stretcher attendant to stop. “Is there a back door on this boat?”
“It’s a ship, ma’am. And this is the way off.”
She saw Rylee grin and ignored her mocking comment. “Go take your medicine, brat. You deserve every bit the boss lays on you, and trust me, the man has a tongue like a Gatling gun. He never holds back when he’s got good reason to give someone shit. And baby, you deserve everything he says.” Obviously still annoyed at her sister’s daring, Rylee teased.
She motioned to the fellow behind the stretcher to get moving, and Mari stiffened her resolve not to use tears for protection. If the man wanted his say, she’d let him have it. After all, she did sneak into his papers and take advantage of his personal interest to get information.
Although, the short time they’d spent together could have been the beginning of something precious they’d both recognized, she couldn’t be sorry that she’d interfered with this case.
Knowing Rylee had been in danger was unbearable. For the first time in her life, she hadn’t stood on the sidelines doing nothing. She’d taken matters into her own hands, and she’d never regret it.
What she did regret was having to face the music. Especially with the one guy she could see herself getting serious over. When she’d told Rylee that her and Duke had hit it off, from her perspective, she’d been truthful. But now, she’d probably ruined her chances with him and that broke her heart.
By the time the stretcher had left the gangplank behind, and they were on the dock, her fears had revved up to where she could hardly catch her breath. Man, oh man, he looked mad.
Fuck it!
She burst into tears and before her eyes, Duke Harrison shot a look of desperation at Rylee, then Carl and even Jake before he stepped forward to take her hands. “Don’t cry, Mari. Everything’s okay. You’re going to heal without any scars. I’ve checked with the doctors.”
“I don’t care about scars, you idiot. I’m just scared that you’re mad at me.”
“I was earlier, but now that I’ve seen your poor face, how can I stay mad? Baby, let’s get you to the hospital.”
***
Rylee stood next to Carl with their chins hanging while their mean-as-a-tiger-with-his-tail-being-chewed-off boss held Mari’s hand as if it were a precious ancient object and patted it.
Patted it!
Jesus!
She watched him get into the ambulance without a word or a look in their direction. And just as she thought he’d drive away without any instructions; he stuck his head out of the back door and growled, “Get this mess cleaned up. I want a full report asap.”
