“I’d introduce you to my girlfriend, but she had to make a call.” His gaze dropped to the phone in Nate’s hand. “You going somewhere?”
Nate pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth. Carlos was a slimy bastard, but damn he was sharp. “Business,” he said with a smile. “No days off.”
Carlos shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded. “Ah, the joys. But the money makes it worth it. Go ahead and make your call, we can chat later.” He clapped Nate on the shoulder and winked. He resisted the urge to wipe Carlos’s grimy sweat off the material.
“Maybe we can catch a drink after the show,” Nate offered. His tone was light, and brisk. He moved past him and lifted his fingers in goodbye.
“I’ll be at the bar all night,” Carlos called. Nate laughed with him and rounded another table, and then brushed quickly through the rest. His palm connected with the door and it swung open and into the hall. The bright fluorescent lights bounced off his smooth leather shoes as he raced down the hall.
Carlos had said Maddie was on a call. Did that mean she’d gone outside or to their room? He’d check the deck first, and then call Dylan and have him check their room. He exited another set of double doors and into a wall of cold air.
“Help!” A high-pitched scream hit his eardrums and his senses went on high alert. He whipped toward the sound. Tony stood in front of the rail, Maddie lifted over his head. Her feet kicked and thrashed in the air. A spray from the waves below shot up to land on the deck at their feet.
A cold sweat broke out on his brow and he tore his feet from the floor, charging them. Maddie’s screams ripped through his heart and a lead weight dropped into his stomach. Blood pounded through his eye sockets. Goddammit he was going to throw her overboard.
The sonofabitch was going to pay.
He fisted his hand in Tony’s hair and yanked him backward. Maddie barreled out of his hold and landed hard on the deck. She moaned and her hand clutched the side of her head. Fuck, she was hurt. He held tight to Tony’s greasy hair as he tumbled back, but caught himself before he hit the deck. Using his momentum, Nate brought Tony’s head down on the metal rail. A sickening ring echoed through the air and Tony crumbled to his knees. Blood poured over his eyes from a wide gash across his forehead. Nate’s cellphone fell from his fingers and skittered across the deck.
Nate hooked his forearm around Tony’s throat and locked him in a rear chokehold. His eyes sought Maddie. She clung to the rail with both hands, her body hunched forward and her face stark white.
“Get out of here,” he mouthed. She nodded wildly and moved away from the rail. That had been close. Too fucking close. He couldn’t let his mind drift to what would have happened had he come out five seconds later. Heat scorched up his spine and sat at the back of his neck. A muscle in his jaw twitched. Tony’s hands gripped Nate’s arm frantically. Short gasps came through his blood-stained lips.
“You were going to kill her—why?” The words rumbled through his throat with the effort it took to keep his tone level. If Tony figured out Maddie knew him, everything would go to hell. His instincts told him to heft him over the rail, just as Tony had been ready to do to Maddie. But killing him would affect the job. His gaze focused on the angry water only feet below them. If he threw him overboard, he would likely be chalked up to another drunk that had gotten too close to the edge.
“None of your damn business,” Tony ground out against Nate’s hold.
“Wrong answer.” Nate lifted him to his feet. He’d get him to talk. The wind howled and Tony’s dark strands hit Nate’s cheek. Tony’s body stiffened against him and a cry tore through him. He threw his weight back and Nate stumbled. Nate’s feet scuffed against the floor but he shifted them forward before he toppled backward. Tony’s fingers curled around Nate’s bicep and he flung them toward the edge. Nate’s ribs hit the metal rail and pain shot across his back. He grunted and pulled back on Tony’s throat. He sputtered, and his legs trembled against Nate’s, but he didn’t lose consciousness. The fucker was an ox.
Nate lifted his knee and slammed it against the back of Tony’s leg. His knees sank, but he pressed back against Nate, digging the rail deeper into his ribs. Nate cursed. He tightened his fist and connected his knuckles with the side of Tony’s head.
He didn’t pass out.
Tony let out a long, low grunt and bent forward in Nate’s hold. His hand grasped behind Nate’s knee and lifted his leg. Nate hopped on his foot and kicked, but Tony didn’t loosen his hold. Tony tossed them to the side and Nate’s back rolled over the rail. Fear pierced his spine as the spray hit him. Tony threw his shoulder against Nate and he flipped over the edge.
He pulled with all his might. Tony’s back hit the rail and his feet lifted off the deck. They sailed through the air. Maddie’s face filled his vision as they careened down. Her eyes wide, her mouth open in a silent scream. His heart split in his chest, sending pain through his nerve endings.
He sucked in a breath of the salty air and they hit the ice-cold water. Tony’s weight sent them spiraling deep into the blackness. He shoved Tony away from him and kicked his feet, his arms stretched above his head in search of the surface. The restriction of his suit jacket kept his arms stiff. His chest burned and water rushed into his nostrils. He broke through the surface and hungrily breathed in air. A wave lifted his body, but he stayed above the water. The ship hummed away from him, lights from the stern of the boat glowed, offering the only illumination besides the moon.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Terror nipped at the back of his throat, but he forced it down. He ran his hand over his face and brushed his hair off his forehead. All he had to do was swim. Maddie had watched them go overboard, so she would notify someone. Another wave came and tossed him through the thick, dark ink. He unbuttoned his suit jacket. The material clung to his dress shirt as he freed himself of it. He sliced his arms through the water and kicked toward the ship.
Its lights were now the size of tennis balls. He swallowed over the lump in his throat. His arm slapped against something hard and his heart slammed into his throat. Tony lay face down in the water, his black suit barely visible against the raven tide. Nate gripped the back of his collar and turned him over. Blood covered his face and a stab of terror hit Nate with the force of a truck.
Blood was in the water.
Motherfucker. He forced the image of the vicious jaws of a shark tearing through his legs out of his mind. He swallowed and pressed two fingers against the side of Tony’s throat. Water hit him in the face, and he coughed and wiped his eyes on his shoulder. His feet kicked steadily beneath him. Goosebumps sharpened on his skin and his teeth chattered.
Shit.
The soft murmur of a pulse beat against his skin. God fucking dammit. Minutes ago, Tony had been ready to kill Maddie. He deserved to die. Indecision tore through him. He wouldn’t sacrifice his life for this fucking scumbag. If the ship didn’t turn around in five minutes, he’d say sayonara to Tony.
A flash of bright orange sailed across the surface.
A floatation device. Maddie must have thrown it to him. He let go of Tony and dove toward it. His hand snagged the white string that floated behind it. He reeled it in, hooked his arm through the hole, and kicked back to Tony.
His legs burned as he treaded water, one hand around Tony’s chest, one on the buoy. Pins and needles stabbed through his skin and his breath came out in white puffs around them.
The lights on the ship were dim little specks now.
He closed his eyes and Maddie’s face filled his mind’s eye. The gentle upturn at the end of her nose, soft spray of freckles beneath her eyes, and the full mouth he hadn’t kissed enough fucking times. If he died here tonight, his only regret would be fighting Maddie. The backs of his eyes burned and he inhaled through his nose.
If he was given one more chance… he’d do things right.
Chapter 10
Her leg
s shook beneath her and her fingers tightened on the rail. Pain shot up her wrists, but she couldn’t tear herself away. She’d thrown the nearest floatation device, but by the time she’d wheeled it out to sea, she’d lost him. Her chest rose and fell. She needed to get help. To hell with the job, she didn’t give a shit anymore. Nate could die. She tore her hands from the cold metal and her gaze landed on Nate’s phone. She scurried across the deck and brought the screen to life.
Her finger shook as she swiped through his text messages. She could call Ashley, but she was at the dinner. Another name jumped out at her. Dylan. That sounded familiar. She punched the phone icon and pressed the smooth glass to her ear. Her eyes swept across the deck. Good god, if Carlos came looking for her, she’d have a hard time explaining herself. The phone rang and she stepped out of the light and pressed her back against the wall in the shadows.
C’mon, pickup, pickup.
“What the hell happened to your earpiece? You nearly blew my fucking eardrum.”
Her brow furrowed. “Uh, this is Maddie.”
Dylan’s sharp intake of breath pierced her ear. “Holy shit. Is everything okay? Where’s Nate?”
Tears prickled the backs of her eyes and her throat tightened. “H- he… went overboard.” Her voice trembled and moisture collected on her eyelashes.
“What?” He roared in her ear. “Where are you?”
She swallowed over the boulder lodged in her throat and squeezed her eyes together. Her chest ached and a sob threatened to bubble up. “I’m on the deck, at the rear of the ship.”
“Fuck,” he breathed roughly in her ear. The wind picked up and sent the bottom of her dress dancing around her legs. A shiver ran down her spine and she pressed her back closer to the wall.
She took two deep breaths through her nose while Dylan mumbled curse words.
“Okay,” he said, his voice strong and level. “Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine. I need you to get back to dinner, and hold it together. Can you do that?”
She sniffed and wiped the corner of her eye with her knuckles. “No.” A short laugh broke through the tears. “I’m a mess. I got attacked and—”
“You have to. If you’re gone much longer, people will come looking for you and find you like this anyway. And what will you tell them?”
She closed her eyes. He was right. If Carlos found her now, she’d have nothing coherent to say to him.
“Okay,” she said softly.
“It’s going to be fine. Nate was on a competitive swim team back in the day. He’s probably doing backflips right now.” His voice was soft and reassuring, but the strain behind it told her he was worried as hell. “Get to the restroom and clean yourself up as best you can. I’ll have Ashley meet you in there.”
“Can you let me know as soon as he’s safe?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you,” she said softly and disconnected. She reached for her clutch, but it wasn’t between her arm. She squinted through the darkness. The small, bone-colored bag lay strewn on the floor, her two phones and lipstick rested near it. Shit. She must have dropped her purse when Tony had attacked her.
She crouched down, and her legs shook beneath the pressure. Tears clung to her cheeks and her chin quivered uncontrollably. Lord, she was a disaster. She got to her feet and pressed her palm against her breastbone. Her heart thundered against her hand. She took another deep breath, but it didn’t slow.
It didn’t matter. She was out of time. Her fingers curled around the thick layer of sequins at her knees and she jogged around the deck. She wouldn’t be able to come through the entrance she’d gone out. She’d have to walk across the entire ballroom in order to get to the restrooms. But there was an exit on the other side of the ship that would let her in on the other side of the room. With any luck, she’d slip past the tables and clean herself up without Carlos seeing her.
Her shoes clicked on the deck and she shoved her way into the double door. She paused at the door leading into the ballroom and peered into the small window inside it. Everyone was in their seats, scooping their soup and drinking champagne.
She located Carlos. He raised his glass and sipped. His gold watch caught the glow of the chandelier and it reflected across the room. He pulled his phone out, and then turned in his seat toward the entrance she’d exited.
The door of the kitchen swung open and a long line of waiters with trays marched out. Now was her chance. She pulled the door open and moved swiftly across the polished floor. Her gaze swept to Carlos, but his eyes were on the waiter who placed a plate under his nose and lifted the cover.
She shoved the restroom door and closed it tightly behind her. Her head dropped back against the smooth wood.
God, that had been close.
She pushed away from the door and stepped farther in the bathroom. Slick black and white marble lined the floors and halfway up the wall. Two cream-colored leather chairs sat next to the gas fireplace, and a flat-screened TV hung above it. Eight stalls and four sinks took up the rest of the enormous space.
She leaned over and scanned the floor of the stalls. She was alone. Her hands rested on the white quartz counter and she stared into the mirror. Her hair fell in loose loops from the pins at the back of her head. Mascara lined beneath her eyes and her lipstick smeared down her chin. She blew out a breath, set her clutch on the counter, and got to work on her makeup. She mopped up the mascara and dusted her pressed powder to cover the shadows that only coconut oil would remove.
Her lipstick was another story. Thank god, she habitually stuck to soft, natural tones. If she’d been a red lipstick wearer, she’d need steel wool to fix this mess. She wet a paper towel and scrubbed at the smear. Her face was as white as a sheet, her eyes wild and strained.
Nate’s contorted face seared her brain and she squeezed her eyelids against another wave of tears. He would be okay. He had to be.
The door creaked open and Ashley strode in. Her dark gown moved across the sleek pattern at her feet, and her hands grasped Maddie’s shoulders, turning her away from the mirror.
“My god, are you okay? Dylan told me everything.” She pulled Maddie into a hug. Her shoulders trembled and her lips trembled. She couldn’t fall apart. Not now. She straightened away from Ashley. Her big, warm brown eyes searched Maddie’s face. Kindness softened the lines around her eyes.
“Hell, all you’ve been through and you still look better than me at my best.”
Maddie chuckled and turned back to the mirror. Ashley was gorgeous, so the comment was made to make her laugh.
“Let me fix your hair. Your date is looking pretty antsy.” She pulled a brush from her purse and began to scoop the wayward strands at Maddie’s head.
“Thank you,” she said softly. It was odd having this conversation with someone she’d never met, but was bound to by circumstance.
She began working and a few minutes later stood back. “There, as good as new.” She flashed a smile at Maddie in the mirror. “Think you’re up to facing everyone?”
Maddie lifted a shoulder. “I don’t have much choice.”
“You’ll be fine.” Ashley’s hand rubbed up and down Maddie’s arm. “Besides, I don’t think he’s the sharpest crayon in the box if you know what I mean.” She winked and Maddie laughed.
“Thank you for your help, Ashley. Can you let me know when Nate’s safe?” She’d already asked Dylan, but if she didn’t hear something soon, she’d go crazy.
“You bet. Now get out there.”
Maddie nodded, picked up her clutch, and turned to the door. She lifted her chin, pulled her shoulders back, and sauntered into the ballroom.
Her heart beat rapidly in her chest, and her hand trembled at her side. The waiters had cleared out, and everyone was eagerly digging into their entrée. Carlos’s eyes lifted and met hers. Dark, onyx coals bore into her, and his brow creased. She sw
allowed and swung her hips gently as she approached the table. He rested against the back of his chair and moved her seat out. She slid in next to him and cupped her hand over his thigh.
“Darling, I’m so sorry,” she said softy, her voice hushed so as not to disturb the other diners around their table. Her gaze flicked around at the other three couples, all engrossed in the political debate.
The cold air conditioning from the vent above blasted over her already chilled skin. Carlos’s hand rested on the small of her back. Despite the heat he radiated, her skin crawled.
“I was starting to get worried. Is everything okay?” He stabbed his fork into a green bean and slurped it through his lips.
She chewed the side of her tongue. She couldn’t act like everything was fine, that would be even more suspicious. She lowered her gaze to the smooth black tablecloth beneath her hand and shook her head.
“No.”
His eyebrows bounced up and he stopped chewing. “What’s wrong?”
She inched closer in her chair and his arm slid further around her back.
“It was my sister calling. My mom had a heart attack.” Her chin quivered. Had they gotten Nate on board yet? With every minute that ticked by, the risk of her never seeing him again increased. “She might not make it through the night.” Moisture collected behind her eyelids, but she held the tears at bay.
“Oh, my god. Baby, I’m so sorry.” His hand moved up and down her back and sympathy brought his thick, dark eyebrows together. “Do you want to go up to the room? I’d hate to have you miss dinner.”
God, did she ever. But she couldn’t go anywhere until she knew Nate was safe. She scooted her chair closer to the table and lifted a shoulder. “My sister asked me to call in an hour so I can talk to my dad. I’ll try to eat something, but honestly, I’m not hungry.”
Her fingers closed around the smooth stainless steel fork. Medium rare prime rib stared back at her and her throat flexed on a gag.
“I’m sure you’ll feel better with some food in your stomach.”
Exposed Page 9
