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“So, this means that Emily’s staying here for good.”
I hadn’t thought about it in such direct terms, but it sure as hell appeared that way.
“Maybe, maybe not. That all depends on her. For the time being, she’s here until the matter of her fucking scumbag father is resolved.”
“Smart call. If he’s willing to kill just to make a point, then God only knows what else he might do.”
“Seems like she was always more of an object than a person to him. In his eyes, she’s spoiled goods.”
Roberto flashed me a small smile. “But in your eyes, she’s something else.”
“Excuse me?”
“Come on,jefe,” he said, coming over to give my shoulder a friendly jab. “There’s something going on between you and her. I’ve seen you bring women to the island before but this time isdifferent, and not just because she’s got a psychopadreafter her.”
I said nothing, but I couldn’t argue with him because he was right.
“Let me tell you as a friend, this is a good thing. Emily’s got a big heart, and I’m glad to see you open yours for her.”
“Thanks.” I grumbled the word. Roberto gave me a playful shove, and I allowed myself a small grin as I pushed him away.
“But first thing’s first,” I said. “We get this island locked down tight. I want more guards, and twenty-four-seven surveillance. Not a thing happens without my knowing.”
“That’s the easy part. Hard part is how we strike at Charles.”
“Maybe we wait for him to strike first. He’s vicious, but he’s not smart. We play this right, and we can take advantage of how fucking furious he is.”
“You may be right. I’ll get on it,jefe.”
With that, Roberto left me alone. I kept my eyes on the shore in the distance, knowing this was going to get a hell of a lot harder before it got any easier.
Chapter 26
Emily
Icouldn’t have asked for a better night for a memorial. The air was calm, with just the right touch of warmth. The sunset was by far the most beautiful I’d seen since coming to the island. Deep, blood-reds and burnt-oranges surrounded the sun itself, a sheet of dark purple dotted with twinkling stars above.
The beauty of the setting was not enough to suppress the sadness in my heart, however.
The entire staff, all three dozen men and women, had gathered for the memorial. The staff had brought bouquets of gorgeous flowers to decorate, and the stunning, lifelike drawing that Marianne had spent all day creating was situated on a stand next to me.
Marianne, Pearl, and Logan were seated in the front row. It seemed a bit premature to think about, I knew, but as I laid eyes on the three of them I couldn’t help but feel like I was with my new family.
“She was the closest thing to a mother I’d ever had,” I said. “And I know she loved me like a daughter. Thank you all for coming tonight. If we keep her in our hearts, we can make sure that her memory is never forgotten.”
A tear that I’d been holding back fell from my eye as I finished. Logan rose, coming over to my side with a tissue and placing his hand on my shoulder.
With that, Pearl rose and pressed play on the speaker. Gorgeours Arias flowed from the speakers, Marta’s favorite kind of music. Logan wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I placed my head against his chest.
I had no idea what I would’ve done if Logan and the rest hadn’t been there for me. I’d lost Marta, and that was a wound to my heart that wouldn’t be healing anytime soon. But I had love and support, two notions that I’d never enjoyed before. That is, aside from what Marta had given me. Even in the end, she’d been trying to take care of me the best way she knew how.
“I’m sorry, Emily.” I took my face from Logan’s chest to see Marianne standing before me. She looked gorgeous in her simple sundress. “I miss Marta so much, and I’m sure you do, too.”
“I do. But thank you, Mar. And thank you for the painting.”
She smiled. “It’s pretty good, right? I think I might hang it up in my house so we can always have something to remember her by.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” I agreed.
