Breakfast Time

SHAY

Zane and I strolled to the dining area at the rear of the boat. He pulled out a chair for me, then signaled the kitchen staff to bring some fruit.

A tray of assorted fruits arrived, and I picked up a grape. Zane handed me the fruit, and I nibbled on it slowly, savoring each bite.

An hour later, Zane was still encouraging me to eat, but I didn’t want to push it. I’d only sampled a few items from the tray, and he was growing frustrated with my lack of appetite.

“Baby, you need to eat for our baby. You can’t just not eat.”

“Zane, I don’t want to risk getting sick. Throwing up isn’t exactly a picnic, and if I stuff myself, that’s exactly what’ll happen.”

He nodded, looking at the remaining food. He popped some into his mouth, finishing off more than half of what was left. I turned my gaze to the horizon, watching the waves gently roll towards us.

A noise from the stern caught Zane’s attention. He pointed to the stairs next to us.

“Shay, go down there and stay put until I come get you. If necessary, go to our room and don’t come out. I don’t know who’s approaching us, and I need you to stay safe.”

I quickly got up and hurried down the stairs, disappearing around a corner. I stopped as soon as I was out of sight, but stayed close enough to hear what was happening on the deck.

ZANE

I watched Shay vanish from sight, then cleared the table and handed the tray to a kitchen worker.

Stepping onto the deck, I saw a massive silver yacht positioning itself next to ours. Then the last person I wanted to see appeared.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the famous Zane. What brings you out here?”

I clenched my jaw. “Hello, Cole. I had some business that brought me here, so I’m enjoying some time on the water.

“It’s not often I get to enjoy a solo cruise like this.”

Cole had a knack for showing up when you least expected him. He was also one of the biggest assholes I’d ever met.

He owned a string of hotels, casinos, and restaurants worldwide. We’d had a major clash in Italy when he was there checking on one of his hotels.

At the time, I was seeing a woman my family had introduced me to. They’d hoped we’d hit it off since her father was a good friend of my dad’s.

But then she met Cole, who swept her off her feet and ran off with her. Three months later, her body was found in a remote area; she’d been gang-raped and shot.

I still suspected that he’d orchestrated it to get rid of her. She must have grown attached to him and complained to her dad about Cole not giving her what she wanted.

She was drawn to the fast track to wealth and the high life. I didn’t wish her dead, but I was somewhat relieved when he took her from me.

Cole’s yacht pulled up next to mine. He gestured to my deck and asked, “Mind if I come aboard?”

“If you make it quick. I was about to leave for a meeting.”

He hopped into a boat that brought him over. I went down to the landing and watched as he stepped onto my boat.

“Good to see you, man. Where are your two bodyguards who are always with you?”

“I have my bodyguards right up there,” I said, nodding to the upper deck. “But you’re not going to start any trouble on my property, right?”

“So Noah and Conner are on the boat with you? I’d love to say hello to them. It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

“They’re back at the house handling a few things for me. I wanted some quiet time out here while I had a few spare minutes,” I replied, hoping he’d take the hint.

He looked at me, amused. “Zane, you’ve been out here all night. I went to your house, and there was no one there.

“When I saw your boat leaving, I went to get mine. So, who’s the girl you’re trying to impress out here?”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.

“It’s not a crime to anchor your boat overnight for some rest and relaxation. I do take time for myself when I come down here.”

“Yes, you do, but according to my sources, you brought someone with you. They saw you at the restaurant last night with a woman.

“I just want to introduce myself to her and catch up with you.”

I turned and walked up the stairs. He followed me, and I could feel his eyes scanning the boat for any sign of Shay.

We reached the top deck, and I sat down on the couch, gesturing for him to do the same.

“Would you like something to drink?” I offered, trying to steer the conversation away from Shay.

“No, thank you, it’s too early. So where is she? My sources said she was stunning.”

I stiffened a bit but kept my cool. “I told you, I’m out here enjoying my time.”

He interrupted me. “Zane, I was watching you this morning. She was sitting and eating right there. I wasn’t close enough to get a good look at her, but she did look pretty.”

I growled under my breath at him, but he didn’t seem to notice. “If you’re going to be pushy on my property, I can escort you back to your boat.”

“Come on, old friend, all I want to do is introduce myself. We do business from time to time, so I know we’ll meet at some point.” He leaned back and crossed one leg over the other.

I wasn’t about to let him anywhere near her. I stood up and started to walk back the way we came, and he finally took the hint. He followed me back to his boat.

“Back off. We had a deal, remember? Or has that slipped your mind?” I kept my voice steady, my gaze locked on him.

“No, I haven’t forgotten your threat,” he replied, his hand absently massaging the area above his heart. “You didn’t hit your mark, you know.”

“If I’d wanted you dead, I wouldn’t have missed. That was a warning. Stay out of my life and my business. I trusted you once, and you betrayed me. That’s not happening again.”

He retreated to his boat. The captain was peering over the railing at me. I motioned back toward the shore. He gave a nod of understanding and fired up the engines.

It was time to return to solid ground, where I could keep an eye out for Cole if necessary. He was the type who wouldn’t quit until he got what he wanted. And right now, his sights were set on her.