Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
It takes all I have not to shy away. I hold his glare with my own. Derek's scowl spreads wider. Then his mouth moves. I can't hear him over the waves or wind, but I can read his lips: I won.
Chapter Fifteen
There's almost no one left on the ship. The guests and most of the staff disembarked an hour ago, just before the sun began to set. The lack of people makes the place feel abandoned. I'm glad there are plenty of lights on this luxury ship or I'd feel uneasy being by myself.
Where are they?
Marco and the others haven't returned still. I tried to call him, before realizing that my phone is ruined from the swim I took. Marco's is probably toast, too. Or maybe he has some super fancy expensive high-end brand that can survive being dunked in the ocean. Regardless, I have no idea what's going on with Trey.
Is he okay?
Or is he...
Shaking my head to clear the awful train of thought, I return to pacing the deck. I've changed into dry clothes–one of the gorgeous dresses Marco bought me in Rome. It was supposed to make me feel better. I had hoped wearing one of his gifts would remind me of him and the time we spent in Rome, getting to know one another. I’d hope the fabric brushing against my skin would remind me of his fingers, his touch. Instead, I just miss his presence even more.
I close my eyes and run my hand over the smooth fabric. My imagination runs wild; I see Marco and his brothers huddled over Trey in the hospital. I picture a doctor shaking his head sadly as he delivers the worst news.
"What are you doing?"
I jump, whipping around. Derek is standing behind me, wearing a black suit that's ironed to make the edges assharp as a knife. "I'm waiting for Marco to come back."
"Why?"
I blink. "Why?" I repeat.
Derek sighs in exasperation. "Are you acting stupid on purpose, or is this just how you are?"
"You're such an asshole. Leave me alone."
"This is my boat."
"Only if you win the vote," I seethe.
Derek draws himself up, like a cobra about to strike. "Okay. You are stupid, then. You can't possibly think Marco has a shot. It's over. The second my brothers return, we'll vote and get this piece of history over with." He motions in the air like he's signing a document.
My confidence wavers and I feel like shrinking away. Derek notices it. His mouth turns into an arrogant smirk as he pulls out his phone."Look at that, Heratio is calling," he says smugly.
I perk up. "Answer, it must be news about Trey."
Derek bristles, clutching his phone like he wants to snap it. "Stop playing games, it's over."
"What?"
"I said it's over. You can quit pretending to care about any of us. It won't make me like you more, and it won't help Marco wrestle the company away from me."
"I'm not pretending! I never was!"
He walks away with the phone to his ear. "Hello? What's going on?"
A chill runs down my spine and I shiver as I stand there with Derek a few feet away.
Derek stands straighter, like he's been slapped. At first I tense up because I'm sure it's bad news. Then he glances at me with a wicked smile. "Yes, okay. I'll head there now. Bye."
This is it, I think to myself sadly. Derek's won control of the company. All hope for Marco is gone.
He looms in front of me like a specter of death. "You look awful," he notes.
I narrow my eyes. "Marco would be a better person to lead your family's business. He's kind, and honest, and willing to sacrifice himself to help any of you."
"You think that's what matters?" Derek's lip curls upward. "It's not about your pathetic concept of sainthood. To keep our family's legacy safe...secure...it takes ruthlessness."
"Well, then I guess you're the man for the job," I mutter.
He flinches; then he turns away. Without looking back he says, "Come along for the ride."
I startle at the offer. "Why would you bring me along?"
"I'm not being kind, get that out of your thick skull. I just don't trust you alone on my boat."
Puffing my chest up in annoyance, I debate staying where I am. But it's dark. Cold. And the idea of Marco having to face losing everything he fought for without me there to comfort him is too much.
I follow Derek to the dock, the pair of us crossing the pavement to a lone matte-gray Mazda.
Derek unlocks the door and slides into the driver's seat. I take a deep breath, my heart racing as Derek ignites the engine and starts driving towards the hospital.
It's quiet. Derek grips the wheel while his eyes remain fixed on the road ahead. I'm battling my thoughts about Marco and Trey. He must be fine, or Heratio would have said something.