Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
She’s the enemy.
I shake my head. Even as sick as she is, I can’t let my guard down.
She’s the girl who could knock on death’s door and still find the strength for one last stand.
That’s why she’s dangerous.
She’s the female version of me.
13
Phoenix
Another day.
The endless loop of waiting and not knowing what my future will bring makes me restless.
I know Alaric has a plan.
And I’m well versed with one aspect of said plan.
That being my role in this whole mess.
At least I am no longer sick.
That’s a miracle.
Now that I feel better, I really have to search this yacht. There is no time left to wait.
In my nightmares, the ones that plague me while I toss and turn in my bed at night, George is tied to some strange contraption in the engine room. When I wake, covered in sweat, I tell myself maybe he never got on this godforsaken yacht.
Maybe he’s okay, and maybe he told my dad when the boat left the dock.
My father will find me.
The waters haven’t calmed; we still cross deep, dangerous waves that make the boat roll like a ball in a pinball machine.
I wonder where we are.
I know nothing about sailing, but if I had to guess, we are crossing between continents. Today, I found the men on the deck. They were deep in conversation, and I know without a measure of a doubt that they were talking about their plan for me.
Without waiting to be announced, I take a seat beside Alaric. No one speaks.
“Boys, what’s the plan today?”
“Are you bored?”
“I am.”
“Would you like me to entertain you?” His words drip with innuendo. Decadent and sweet. Like a strawberry freshly dipped in chocolate, oozing on your lips as you lick it off. His voice is so damn husky that the words leaving Alaric’s lips explode inside me like little butterflies let loose.
“Not you,” I hiss before standing abruptly and walking away from him.
A few days ago, I finally noticed the clothing Alaric had bought for me. Everything I would need for a long trip at sea. I realized then that I had walked into a well-thought-out plan. He had thought of everything. There were short dresses, bathing suits, and the worst part—the part that made me squeamish, that made me feel sick to my stomach—was when I found the tampons. Because yes, that meant I would be here for a long time.
I’m not stupid.
I know that my stay will be at least a few weeks. Hopefully, since I just had it, I won’t need to worry, but it doesn’t matter.
I’m trapped here indefinitely, all because I was stupid enough to walk into a damn trap.
I make my way to the front sundeck. This deck is larger than the one I usually find Alaric sitting at. This deck has lounge chairs and a hot tub.
I strip off my clothes, until I’m only in my bikini, and walk toward the beckoning warm water. The footsteps behind me don’t deter my progress.
“Going for a swim?” he asks, his voice like warm honey dripping all over me. I shake the thought of the sexy way he sounds out of my head.
“If I’m stuck here, I might as well work on my tan.”
“Let me help you with your sunblock.”
I turn around to find him smiling at me—smirking is more like it. “I would rather burn than have you touch my skin.”
Instead of going in the water, I lie down on the nearest lounge chair. Maybe if I fall asleep, he will stop bothering me.
No such luck.
He steps in, and I look up from where I’m lying on the chair. The shadow his large frame casts blocks the sun, and I peer up at him.
“Do you mind?”
“This is my boat, and there are rules.”
“Is there something else you wanted me to do … Prince, or should I call you king?” I roll my eyes.
“I like that.”
“What, the nickname?”
“Your attitude. Makes me want to show you who’s in charge.”
My teeth grind, and I sit up, pivoting my body toward his. I narrow my eyes in defiance. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He steps closer. A predator stalking his prey.
“Wouldn’t I?” His eyes gleam. “I have you at my mercy. Maybe I would.”
A snarl leaves my mouth. “What do you want me to do, then? If I can’t sunbathe, then what?”
“Ask next time.”
I flip my hair and turn back around, dismissing him. “Fine.”
“You still haven’t asked permission.”
Air leaves my mouth. “May I please relax on your deck?”
“Why, yes, you can. See. Was that so hard?”
“Asshole,” I mutter under my breath.
“Did you say something?”
“Nope. Nothing here.”
I close my eyes and go back to enjoying the beautiful day. I have realized there is no getting off this boat now, so I might as well get a good tan and piss him off in the meantime.
“Dinner is at seven. Be dressed by then and meet me in the dining room.”