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“You…you weren’t trying to jump, were you? You wouldn’t do that, would you? Please tell me you wouldn’t.” Her lip quivered.
He couldn’t bear to see her like this. “You can’t know how I feel. I was just trying to stand on my own two feet. Just leave me.”
“But what if Dylan and the others come back?”
“I can take care of myself. Just go!”
She brushed away tears dribbling down her cheeks. “You’ve got to fight for life, Levka. You can’t let anything…” She sniffled. “…anything stand in the way.” She stalked off.
All at once he felt crueler than her foster sister, Alicia, had been with her. Yet, if he let things go the way his dark heart wanted, he’d make Caitlin his, and that would be even crueler. Struggling with dwindling strength, he tried several times to get back into his wheelchair to no avail. He swore he sensed his friends nearby, but none of them came to assist him, and he was not going to call on them either.
***
Determined to practice what she preached, Caitlin headed back to the pool. She had been shocked to see Levka standing, but she could tell he was too weak to do much else. Though when he grabbed Dylan by the throat, he’d totally stunned her. But it seemed it was only a bit of reserve strength, because when she held him, he was as weak as a new sapling trembling in the breeze.
She couldn’t quit belittling herself for being unable to help him into his wheelchair. She’d humiliated him, and she hated herself for it. God, how she wished she was home. Home, she snorted. She didn’t have a home any longer. Not a home to share with her own loving family.
When she reached the swimming pool, goose bumps trailed down her arms. No one swam because it was closed for the night at this late hour. Overhead lights didn’t penetrate the dark waters of the pool that she envisioned connected in some bizarre way with the black ocean beneath the ship. The rolling of the vessel created waves in the pool as if it were a miniature sea on deck. Thunder cracked nearby, sending a shiver down her spine.
She clutched a lamppost and stared at the water. A shower of cold rainwater wetted her hair and clothes. Staring into the pool, she envisioned herself floating in her lifejacket, seat cushion flotation devices drifting around her, all that was left of the yacht. The rain poured down on her from above. The waves pulled her up one swell and down into a trough. Sharks circled underneath her, around her, playing with her until they took a bite.
“Caitlin?” Ruric asked, his voice concerned.
Turning, she saw him standing there, his face dripping with water like hers was.
He tilted his head to the side. “Are you all right?”
She broke free of her memories. “Is Levka still out in this weather?” She started back to the railing, but Ruric caught her arm.
“We’ve taken him back to his room. But, are you all right?”
Caitlin clenched her teeth against the tears. “I was such an idiot. I tried to help him into his wheelchair, and I didn’t have the strength.”
Ruric took her hand and led her back inside the building. “Levka’s angry about his injuries, but he’ll get over them. It’s not your fault.”
“How…how was he hurt?”
Ruric didn’t say anything for a moment, then he looked at Caitlin and raised his red brows. “He tried to save a girl’s life. The guy shot Levka instead. He should be better in a day or so, but he’s been sick for months. That’s made him pretty grouchy at times. We’re used to it, but anyone who doesn’t know him, wouldn’t know how to take him.”
Ruric smiled in the most devilish way. “You’re the first girl he’s been interested in, in a long time. So if you want to be his friend, don’t give up.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t his fault. I…I just didn’t realize I couldn’t—”
Ruric lifted her chin. “You’re stronger than most girls we know. I’ll take you back to your room. We have an early breakfast call.”
“If he still even wants me to come.”
“Hmpf. We do. If he doesn’t, that’s his problem. He can return to his room and sulk.”
Envisioning Levka doing just that, she smiled. “Does Stasio do his hypnotism act a lot? I mean, like for money? Entertainment?”
Ruric smiled again. “He’s pretty good at it. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah. I’ve seen a show like that before, but I was sure it was faked.” She looked up at Ruric. “Thanks, for making me feel better.”
“I want to take all the credit, but I have to admit Levka sent me to check on you.”
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Thank you.”
