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He forces the ring onto my finger. This is the ultimate insult, and I can’t even do anything. But I pray—I pray—that Aidan won’t strip my jeans off now. He will hurt me down there if he finds out I lied about my period.
His eyes examine my expression. “You should look more afraid than you do now. You believe he’s coming?” He puts on a smirk. “I have a plan for your Rob. If he does come tonight, I’ll cook his marrow, and we can have os à moelle for dinner tomorrow. If he isn’t dead by dawn, I have something else lined up for him.”
“What the fuck, Aidan?”
“You might think Fernando is a corgi, but do you know why I hired him? Yes, he’s great at stealing cars, but he hates rich men to the core. It’s all about his attitude. That’s how you pick a soldier.”
I grit my teeth. “Don’t you dare!”
“You’ll never know which of Rob’s cars, or even Clayton’s cars, he’s screwed around with after your man’s Aston Martin.”
“No! You can torture me, you can claim me, but don’t ever hurt Rob or his family.”
“So, if I told you that Rob or his brother would be spared if you get a slice on your lovely cheek, you’d let me?” Aidan steps forward, the knife precariously swaying over my face.
Even without contact, I can feel my skin and flesh tearing, I can smell my own blood on that blade. I cower helplessly, tugging at my bound arms like I’m about to be executed.
“Please, Aidan. No. No. I’m begging you.”
“You’re not so defiant after all.”
My body is shaking with fear and rage, but I hate to be a coward. After taking a few short breaths, I straighten my face, offering it to him. “Go on!”
He chuckles. “Not necessary. Just tell me you love me.”
I tremble. “I… I love you.”
“Not very convincing, I’m afraid.”
I take a deep breath. “I love you.”
Aidan kisses me on the lips. Not wanting to trigger further violence from him, I kiss him back, passionately.
“God, I love this knife!” He breaks the kiss and leaves.
34
ROB
Right now, Hartley Marine Headquarters resembles a mission control center rather than a yacht factory. Everyone is here—Clay, Mama, Matty and Rocky, and even Wyatt. It turns out his daughter’s illness was a false alarm. It wasn’t her leukemia returning.
Matty was upset when I came back without Amber-Rose. But Mama, comforting Matty just like Amber-Rose does, manages to calm my baby brother. She insists he call her ‘Nonna,’ even though technically he should call her Mama, too. In the midst of chaos and tension, the two catch on like fire. They play Minecraft together—and oh, my, Mama doesn’t hold back! Matty even has to grab a swear jar for her, assuming that every Italian word she releases is a swear word.
The Peregrine is waiting for me at the beach. With her speed, I’ll get to where Aidan is, and he’ll never anticipate my swift arrival.
“I mean, we didn’t build her for Kerry MacDonald,” Clay says, gazing at The P. Then he gives me his necklace. “I’m superstitious, you know.”
I was wearing mine when I broke Fat Kerry’s record, but the stakes are a lot higher now. This time I’m not wearing a race jumpsuit. I’m wearing a wet suit, since I’m prepared to be in the water.
“We’ll do this quietly, okay?” I emphasize. The last thing I want is for Aidan to feel surrounded. If he does, hewillhurt Amber-Rose.
Clay acknowledges me with a stern nod. “I’ll trace your path with H-Jet. No doubt I’ll lose you, but rest assured, I’ve got your back.” Clay mentions our jet boat—faster than the average boat, but slower than The Peregrine. “I’ll keep a wide distance. Signal me when Amber is safe, and I’ll alert the Coast Guard and find you. Wyatt will be on standby, too.”
I nod, and he pats my shoulder. I know inside he’s saying I’m a crazy man. But he understands. It takes a crazy man to save a woman from another crazy man.
“Get her, brother,” Clay says, hugging me.
I jump into The P. I don’t even bother with my safety gear. I have to be as nimble as I can. As soon as I get a visual on Aidan’s boat, I’ll have to be ready for confrontation.
