Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“It’s going to be all right.” He helped her to her feet. “I swear it on my life.”
She lifted a hand. “Don’t. Not on your life.”
“Let’s rinse your face,” Sean said as if that was the answer to all her problems.
He took a washing cloth from the rack above the basin, wet it with cold water, and wiped her brow before pressing it to the back of her neck.
“I need to brush my teeth.”
Too late, she realized that her toothbrush was in her suitcase. Thankfully, Sean didn’t comment. She didn’t need a reminder that her possessions were in Juan’s unit.
“I feel responsible for what he did to Jeanne,” she said. “I’ll never be able to look at myself in the mirror again.”
“Jeanne did it to herself,” Sean said, gripping her shoulders and shaking her lightly. “She would’ve done worse to you, and you know it. She could’ve planned to really hurt you or let her friends touch you. If one of them had laid a finger on you, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself. I would’ve ripped them to pieces.”
Her flat tone didn’t betray the tears burning at the back of her eyes. “You would’ve ended up dead.”
“I’ll get a boat. I swear. Stay here. Pretend to be working. I’ll come back to let you know when we leave.”
It wasn’t easy to admit, but she confided anyway. “I’m scared.”
His expression was grim. “I know, which makes it harder for me to leave you here, but I have to find a way off this island.”
“Go. I’ll be fine,” she lied.
A war raged in his eyes as he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. Then his jaw set in a hard line. “Lock the door behind me.” When she didn’t respond, he squeezed her shoulders. “Say yes so that I know you understand.”
“Yes.”
Indecision burned in his gaze as he searched her face, but after another beat, he walked to the door, unlocked it, and shut it behind him with a soft click.
The quietness was engulfing. Suddenly, she was alone. She pinched her eyes shut, but all she could see was the bullet ripping through Jeanne’s skull and the spray of red that tinted Juan’s shirt and the sofa. She opened her eyes to dispel the image and paced some more.
As soon as they got to the mainland, they had to go to the police. For now, she had to act as if nothing was wrong. Juan couldn’t suspect she was planning to escape. With a shaky hand, she took her schedule from the desk. Her next appointment was at twelve. To keep from going crazy, she cleaned the bathroom, sneaking a look from the window every five minutes.
An hour later, a soft knock fell on the door. She opened it a crack and sighed with relief when Sean’s face appeared.
“I won’t stay,” he said, glancing over his shoulder toward the beach. “Meet me at the jetty at one.”
“Leona got you a boat?” she asked hopefully.
His nod was tight. “Yes.”
“How did you manage that?”
“I told her I needed to go to the mainland for supplies to stock up the bar.”
She closed her eyes briefly. “Thank you, Sean. Make it ten past one. I have a client at twelve. I’ll finish at one. Canceling the appointment will look suspicious.”
“I’ll be waiting on the jetty. Once we’re on the boat, we’ll be good. They don’t have another boat to come after us, and it will take at least an hour for one to get here if Juan sends for one from the mainland. We’ll go ashore before we reach the harbor. By the time the skipper can radio where we are, we’ll have had enough of a head-start to get away, even if Juan’s men are waiting for us at the harbor.”
She swallowed. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry, kitten. I have to go. I’m supposed to go over the supply list for the bar with Leona.”
“Go. I’m good. Thanks for doing this.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again. Without another word, he left.
Asia leaned against the wall, trying to get her nerves under control. She had to act as if today was just another day in paradise and not the ticking time bomb she felt coming.
The minute Sean had left Asia in the spa, he’d used the secure number to call Cain, but he couldn’t get through. He’d tried to send a message via the tablet Maya had given him, but the satellite network seemed to be down. Since he couldn’t ask Cain to send a boat, his only other option had been getting Leona to send for one. He’d told her so many lies, he hoped she wasn’t onto him. He’d said they needed more alcohol for the mixes, and when she’d said the stock was fine, he’d told her they were moving through the vodka too fast, and he’d planned new combinations for that night’s sunset cruise performance on the yacht. She’d asked for a list, saying that she’d get their shopper to make the necessary purchases in Cartagena and deliver it by boat. He’d countered he didn’t trust her shopper. If a certain brand wasn’t available, he needed to choose a suitable replacement. After a long argument, she’d finally given in.