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I glance around the boat, looking for a weapon I can use. I blow out a deep breath, my anger only subsiding for a moment, before I recognize the voice of my captor. “You’re the man. The one I met at the art gallery. The cowboy.”
He laughs. “You’re good. Name’s Duke.”
He removes the ski mask from his face and looks exactly the same as I remember him.
Big bushy moustache. Bushier eyebrows. And a row of crow’s feet framing each eye.
“I am good, and you should pray you’re better, because I won’t let anyone hurt me,” I warn.
His face softens. “I promise you, it’ll all be over once we get to the Bahamas and Mr. Blackstone gets what he wants.”
“And just what is that?”
He moves the motor, steering us closer to the bigger sailboat. “Mr. Blackstone doesn’t go into much detail with me. All I know is that he doesn’t want you to marry Mr. Prince.”
The mention of Gabriel’s name weakens my defenses. He probably thinks I ran away. After the way things ended in his study last night, after I told him Bishop was Tennyson’s father, he most likely believes I’ve left him. He probably thinks I ran away with Ronin, and probably hates me right now.
Spray from the water mixes with the tear trickling down my cheeks. “And why’s that?” Anger emanates from every single pore on my body.
He shrugs, as if he’s bored with the subject. “Can’t say. Probably has to do with the money.”
Pretty sure it doesn’t. I keep my mouth shut, not wasting my breath on this man who doesn’t know his head from his own ass.
He navigates up to the much larger boat, similar to the one Gabriel had on the island of St. Thomas. But, it isn’t his. Instead of being white and welcoming, it’s menacing and dark. Like a pirate’s ship.
Duke transfers me from the jon boat onto the sailboat in the middle of the night.
Duke leads me down into the cabin of the boat, opening a door and ushering me into a small bedroom.
“Sit tight,” Duke says, “We’ll be there soon.”
He shuts the door and the lock clicks into place. Asshole. I jiggle the handle, thinking maybe I can shimmy it loose, but it’s no use. Besides where would I even go?
Hatred spears me. And I rummage around the room, looking for a weapon I can use against Duke the next time he comes in here.
There’s a small dresser and I go through each drawer, not finding anything useful. I sit down on the edge of the bed, wondering how on earth I’m going to get myself out of this mess.
After what feels like forever, the door handle twists, and the cowboy enters my room once again.
I stand, crossing my arms, and trying my hardest not to spit in the man’s face. “What are you doing here?” I ask, still trying to figure a way out.
“We’re here. And once you get off this boat, everything will be fine.”
Maybe, for him, he’s delivered his prize. Maybe, he’ll get a bonus check for getting me delivered overnight. He’s quicker than Prime delivery.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He grabs my arm. “You’re lucky my boss wants you alive or…”
I cut him off, “Or what? Or you’d kill me?” I narrow my eyes on him, full of hate. “I’d like to see you try.” I have no way of defending myself, but I won’t let this bastard think for one second I’ll go down without a fight. I have my teeth, nails, and a very expensive pair of high-heels.
I slip the heel off, holding it out to ward him off.
“I’m not going to hurt you. Come on. There’s somebody here who wants to meet you. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”
I slip my shoe back on. “Fuck you.”
He rolls his eyes. “Hard way it is.” He grabs me and lifts me over his shoulder, carrying me out the room caveman style. “Don’t worry Clementine, it’s notyouhe’s after.”
