Back on the Ship

ZANE

Night had fallen, and we were all trying to enjoy some time together. We gathered outside the casino, hoping to win some money or just relax in the lounge area I’d rented for us.

Shay had been hungry earlier, so we grabbed a bite and decided to come here. We walked hand in hand, and she led me to the slot machines along the back wall.

She was feeding coins into the machines, testing her luck.

“You’re bound to hit a win soon, love. They’re getting closer and closer to lining up,” I said, standing behind her with my arms wrapped around her waist.

She glanced over her shoulder at me. “I hope so. It’d be nice to hit—”

Suddenly, the bells went off and coins started pouring down into the tray. She grabbed a cup nearby, filling it up as the coins kept coming.

We filled about a cup and a half and headed to the cashier to cash out.

She’d won about two hundred dollars in total. Her eyes sparkled as the money was handed over to her.

We wandered around the place until I found a craps table. I threw down about fifteen hundred in chips, was handed the dice, let her blow on them, and then easily rolled a seven.

Time and time again, they landed exactly where I needed them to. I increased my winnings by over four times what I’d put down.

Eventually, she was resting on my shoulder, and I handed the real dice back to the attendant. I’d tucked them inside a small pouch sewn into my sleeve.

Yes, I used loaded dice, which I always carried with me, to rack up money. But hey, a win is a win.

With a flick of my wrist, the casino’s dice fell out into my left hand. I handed them back while sliding mine back into my sleeve.

We cashed out my winnings, then headed to the bar so I could have a drink. Shay ordered a chocolate milkshake.

We took our drinks back to the room, where she settled down on the balcony to watch the darkness take over the ocean.

“Baby, how much longer until we reach the island?” Her tired eyes looked over at me.

“We should be there sometime tomorrow afternoon. The engine malfunction put the boat about six hours behind schedule. Just enjoy the rest of this cruise, then we’ll have fun for two days on the island.”

As the night grew darker, we finally decided to call it a night. She mentioned her back was hurting, so I massaged the knots out until her eyes slowly closed and she fell asleep.

I got up slowly so as not to wake her, and called Noah and Conner into the room. We moved to the living room area, far from the bedroom, and sat down to have a drink.

“Boss, is she going to be okay, or do we need to bring in another therapist for her?” Conner asked, looking at the beer he was slowly rolling between his hands.

Noah chimed in next. “We need to keep a close eye on her to see what problems might arise from this. It breaks my heart that she had to go through that again.

“It’s heartbreaking that someone would take advantage of such a sweet woman like her.”

There was a soft knock on the door, and Conner quietly went to answer it. He looked through the peephole, then opened the door to let Forest in. He knew exactly what we were discussing.

“Mind if I join you for a bit? I came to check on her, but it looks like she’s out for the night,” he said, glancing toward the closed door of our bedroom.

“Yeah, her back was hurting so I gave her a massage, and she fell asleep. I’m too worked up to sleep right now, though. Some drinks and conversation might help.”

He slowly sat down, running his hands down his face.

“God! I’d hoped this would never happen to her again. That night, I promised myself I’d do everything to keep her safe and protect her with my life.

“I feel like I failed that promise.”

I put my drink down on the table, leaned forward, and looked at him closely.

“I made the same promise when she told me her story. You’re not the only one feeling this guilt. We’re all here with Noah and Conner, who would protect her with their lives.

“If I had to jump in front of a bullet for her, I’d do it in a heartbeat. And I can tell, deep down, you’d do the same.

“I know you still love her. That doesn’t just go away in a few days or even a month.”

Forest scrubbed his face and groaned.

“How do you let go of someone you’ve loved as I have? I loved her for years, man. Years. I did everything in my power to protect her without revealing exactly who I was.

“I was so scared she’d never speak to me again if she found out the truth. I’m not trying to cause trouble or get in your way, but it’s going to take time for me to get over this.

“If I ever lost her, I might as well die with her. She’s been in my life for so long that our friendship is unbreakable.”

I stood up and walked over to the windows to look out over the ocean. I knew he was still in love with her, but she was mine.

I tried to figure out how to tell him he needed to move on without being rude.

I couldn’t find the right words. I turned back around to look at him, took a deep breath, and did my best to say what I wanted to.

“Forest, I know you love her, but I need to warn you that she’s mine.

“We’ve started a good friendship, but are you here because of her or because you’ve really started to mellow out?”

His eyes snapped up to mine, his face hardening.

“You know what? I came here to talk and unwind after saving her from something terrible. I know she’s yours!

“I’d give up my entire fortune to have her look at me the way she looks at you. Those soft eyes full of love—she never gave me that.

“My future was set in my parents’ eyes, but I took care of it to hopefully have the one thing I wanted since middle school with her. She let me know that night that it would never happen like that.

“The moment you stepped into that room, I knew I didn’t stand a chance with her. The way her face lit up when she saw you, the way she tried to stand, eager to run into your arms.

“That was the punch I’d been dreading from her. It’s going to take me a while to get over this love I’ve built up for her.

“But seeing her with you, it’s clear how you two feel about each other.

“As for our friendship, I’m glad we’re working together like this.

“Our teams mesh well, and if it keeps her safe in the end, then I’m more than happy to keep our friendship going for as long as we can.”

I nodded, sinking back into my seat and taking a deep gulp from my glass. “I just wanted to make sure, before we reached the island, that you understand where we stand with her.”

“Boss, did you pack what you needed to?” Conner asked, his gaze sweeping the room.

I grinned into my glass, nodding slowly. “Yes, Conner. Don’t sweat it; that part’s taken care of for tomorrow night.”

Forest looked at me, his eyes wide. “You brought her on this cruise to do what I think you’re planning to do?”

I flashed him a wide grin.

“Maybe.”

^End of Book One^