“I know you’re upset.” She rested her hand on top of his and smiled when he turned it over to link fingers with her. It was something they did when she was a child and she’d never outgrown it. “It’s going to be okay, though. I’ve given it a lot of thought and decided I’m not going to die.”
Instead of reacting with relief, Paul arched a challenging eyebrow. “Well, if you’ve decided, that’s all it takes to ensure it, right? That’s why people live forever, because they simply decided it and made it happen through magic.”
Rowan’s smile never wavered. “Actually, I do think magic has something to do with it. Quinn is magical. What I feel for him is magical. Getting you back was magical. There’s magic in everything we’ve done here, including the fact that I was tipped off about what could happen. The magic won’t fail me now. I have faith.”
Quinn dragged his eyes from his phone and smiled at her. “I like your attitude.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re still going to have a bodyguard until this is over with whether you like it or not.”
“I’m fine with that.” She squeezed his knee under the table. “We’re going to get through this. You told me that this morning and I believe it with my whole heart. We’re going to make it because ... there’s no acceptable alternative.”
“That’s very true.” He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “I want you to keep your distance from Darcy. I don’t trust her and I’m not gambling with your life. Even if that makes you angry, I’m standing firm.”
“I have no intention of chasing after her.” That was true. Rowan was convinced Darcy would chase after her, and that was an entirely different thing. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“Fair enough.” He moved his lips to her mouth and kissed her before pulling back and focusing on the rest of the group. “The autopsy results are in. Deborah was definitely strangled.”
“That’s what you were expecting, right?” Nick queried.
“It is. There’s only one thing of note in the report.”
“What’s that?” Fred asked, his face lighting with interest. “Is it something we can move on?”
“Not exactly. The doctor found hesitation marks on her neck.”
“What does that mean?” Paul asked, unsure.
“It means that whoever killed Deborah might’ve changed his or her mind during the deed,” Fred replied. “Whoever it was started the job, stopped at some point, and then started again. My guess is they stopped when they realized it wasn’t Rowan and then continued because they had no choice. They couldn’t leave a witness.”
Rowan dropped the fried pickle in her hand. “Oh, don’t say that. I feel sick to my stomach. That means Deborah’s death dragged on.”
“Which isn’t your fault,” Quinn reminded her. “You didn’t cause this.”
“No, but she’s dead because of me. At least it’s likely she’s dead because of me. No matter what you say, that’s not going to change. I can’t ignore the facts.”
“No, but we’ll make whoever did this pay.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I promise you that.”
“What does the hesitation mean from an investigative standpoint?” Nick asked, genuinely curious. “Can it help us narrow down a culprit?”
“Not yet, but it might down the road when we have more information. I don’t know that it means anything yet. It might turn out to be nothing. It could turn out to be something, though, and that’s what we’re hoping for.”
“So ... now what?” Rowan asked.
“Now we go back to our normal routine and pretend nothing is going on. That’s all we can do.”
12
Twelve
Even though Quinn knew Rowan was safe — those watching her texted regular updates, including photos — he was antsy and decided to work from the tiki bar. He wanted a prime view of his girlfriend. It wasn’t as much that he thought something would happen to her if the others were in charge as much as he was terrified not to be there when the moment of truth arrived.
It was different from the other side, he internally mused as Rowan snapped photos of the kids playing at the adventure park. She was smiling and encouraging them to go down the slide, which they readily agreed to, as she took a series of action shots. She’d been seeing omens in photos for years, trying to thwart them. He’d been helping for months. In all that time he didn’t think about what it would be like from the other side.
Knowing you were slated to die was paralyzing. Sure, he wasn’t the one who was seemingly doomed, but it would’ve been easier for him if it was. The fear he felt for her was something he couldn’t describe. At least if he were the one at the center of it, he would feel more in control.
Rowan, on the other hand, clearly felt out of control. That’s what her binge-drinking extravaganza from the previous evening told him. She felt as if things were completely out of her hands. Even though she knew better, she was operating under the assumption that fate was inevitable. He saw it when she looked at him. She studied every angle of his face, in case it was the last time they would ever be together.
As for Quinn, he refused to believe that. He would protect her with his dying breath. He would sacrifice himself to save her, although that wasn’t the ideal option for either of them. They wanted a life together, to move forward together. They wanted marriage ... and a house ... and eventually children. In their future he saw long walks on the beach, regular date nights including seafood, and excursions to the beach to build sandcastles.
He would settle for nothing less.
Part of her may have been defeated — although he could see the hope lingering in her eyes — but he would never give up. He knew they were destined for a certain type of life and he would make sure they got it. That’s why he couldn’t work anywhere but the deck. He simply couldn’t be away from her.
Rowan found him there as he finished up, smirking when she realized what he was doing. “Watching me, huh?” she teased as she slid into the seat across from him. “Some people might find that a little weird.”
Quinn merely shrugged. “I don’t care what other people think. I care what I think ... and I don’t want to be away from you.”
Rowan bobbed her head in understanding. “I get it. If the roles were reversed, if it were you, I would be with you every second of the day. You can’t blame yourself, though, if it happens. If you try everything and still can’t save me, I need you to know it’s not your fault.”
She was trying to soothe him, but all Quinn felt was annoyance. “You’re going to be fine.”
“I know.” She forced a smile for his benefit. “I have faith.”
“You’re just saying that.” Anger and frustration bubbled up as he closed his laptop and stared into her eyes. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I don’t want you being reckless or anything. I want you to have faith in me, though. I’ll save you.”
She held his gaze for what felt like a really long time. Finally, a genuine smile curved her lips and she reached across the table to capture his hand. “I believe you. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to have years together.”
He linked his fingers with hers, never breaking eye contact. “We’re going to have forever,” he corrected. “We’re going to have decades together in this life — I’m talking seven decades here — and then we’re going to have eternity together in the next.”
Rowan’s grin felt sloppy. “Do you believe there’s something else out there after death?”
He seemed surprised by the question. “Don’t you?”
“I don’t know. I’m kind of practical in a lot of ways. Still, there’s real magic out there. It’s hard not to believe we go on.”
“There’s real magic right here.” He lifted their joined fingers. “You’re the most magical person I know.”
Rowan’s cheeks burned. “That’s a really sweet thing to say.”
“It’s the truth. I feel blessed ... and happy ... and excited every day tha
t we’re together. I feel something extra here.” He tapped the spot above his heart with his free hand. “You’re it for me. You always have been. What I feel for you can’t be duplicated. That’s the magic of us.”
Rowan’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “That could be the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to anyone.”
From the next table, a misty-eyed blonde interjected herself into the conversation. “Oh, honey, I guarantee that was the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to anyone over the course of history. If you don’t snap that man up, I’m kidnapping him.”
Rowan laughed, genuinely amused. “I think I’m going to keep him.”
“Forever,” Quinn agreed. There was no fear in the declaration. He meant it. Not only that, he was looking forward to it. “We should pack up our stuff and stow it in the room. It’s time for dinner and I’ll bet you’re starving.”
As if on cue, Rowan’s stomach let loose a wild growl, causing him to bark out a laugh.
“I figured.” He leaned over the table and graced her with a soft kiss. “I’m betting you’re looking forward to eating your weight in crab legs tonight.”
“I could eat some crab legs,” she hedged. “I kind of want cheesecake, too.”
“Then crab legs and cheesecake it is.”
ROWAN WORE SIMPLE KHAKIS and a black shirt for dinner. She wasn’t in the mood to dress up. Since Quinn was determined to make an early night of it — the faster he had her locked in their room and away from potential danger, the better — he was keen to hit the main restaurant without delay.
“Oh, look.” Rowan’s smile was so wide it threatened to engulf her entire face as she lifted her chin and inclined it toward the dessert table. “They have a cheesecake bar with one of those chocolate fountains I love.”
He slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek as he followed her finger. “It’s like a dessert table designed specifically with you in mind.”
She slowly tracked her eyes to him, suspicious. “Did you arrange for this?”
“Why would I arrange for a cheesecake buffet?”
“Because ... it could be my last one and you know it’s my favorite.”
His smile evaporated. “I need you to stop saying things like that for a bit,” he ordered once he’d collected himself. “I’m not trying to be bossy or controlling but ... I can’t hear that.”
Rowan immediately felt guilty. “I didn’t mean ... .”
He held up his hand to silence her. “I know. You don’t mean to upset me when you say these things. You do, though.” He stepped closer to her so only she could hear what he would say next. “I will never let anything bad happen to you,” he promised. “I’m going to keep you safe. Don’t be afraid that you’re going to die. Don’t live in fear. We are going to get the forever we both want.”
Rowan felt like an idiot for saying what she did. She knew better than pushing him. He was holding it together remarkably well despite the circumstances. Pushing him past his breaking point was only going to make both of them feel worse. “I’m sorry.” She meant it. “I’ll do better.”
“Thank you.” His grateful smile was small but heartfelt. “Now, I want some steak and potatoes. I’m assuming you’re loading up on seafood.”
“You assume right.”
“I’ll meet you at our usual table in five minutes.” He hesitated, not wanting to ruin the mood, and then barreled forward. “Please don’t wander too far away. That includes to the dessert table. We’ll tackle that together once we’re done with dinner.”
Rowan didn’t have to ask why. He was struggling. His instinct was to lock her in the room they shared and not let her out until he’d wiped out every member of the Phoenix Society. He knew she wouldn’t gracefully accept being held captive so he was forcing himself to compromise so both of them could survive the next few days. It wasn’t exactly easy.
“I can wait for the cheesecake,” she promised, snickering as something occurred to her. “Although ... they have a lot of different syrups. Do you think Sally would give us to-go containers of them so we can take the cheesecake back to the room? I bet we could find something to do with the leftover syrup.”
He slid his arm around her waist and buried his face in her hair. “That is the best idea I’ve ever heard. I guarantee Sally will make it happen. We can take piles of cheesecake back, get naked, and watch old reruns while enjoying dessert and each other. That is exactly what I want to do with my night.”
“Me, too.”
He planted his lips firmly on hers before pulling back. “Grab as much food as you can carry. You’re going to need your strength. I have plans for you tonight.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
PLANS FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER WENT out the window when Nick and Paul joined their little group. Quinn took the time to search for Fred and found the man sitting with a table full of women — all of them being rowdy and squealing at the stories he told — and shook his head as he grabbed a scallop from Rowan’s plate. Per usual, his girlfriend had grabbed enough seafood to feed ten people. He was simply glad she’d gotten her appetite back.
“Do you think we should pull Fred away from his group?” Paul asked worriedly. “I think he might be getting distracted.”
Quinn almost laughed, but managed to control the impulse. “Fred clearly has plans for the rest of the evening. They don’t include us.”
“But ... he’s supposed to be watching Rowan. We need his help.”
“Generally, I would agree with that.” Quinn wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin and then dumped it on his plate. Even though he’d been a barrel of nerves for the better part of the day, his appetite never wavered. He took that as a good sign. “This evening, however, Rowan and I will be returning to her room as soon as we’re finished here. We’re not even eating dessert in the dining room. We’re getting Sally to put together a care package and taking it back with us.”
Nick arched an eyebrow. “That’s how you’re going to handle this? You’re going to hide her away? How is that different from the running Paul wanted to do with her earlier?”
Quinn scowled. “I am most definitely not hiding her away. I have no intention of shutting her away from the world. That being said, I’m a little more leery of wandering around the deck after dark. The cameras don’t always work as well as we would like and there are fewer people out there. She’s more exposed.”
“You think she’s safer in her room,” Nick mused.
“I know she’s safer in her room,” Quinn countered. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this is what’s best. I had the scanners upgraded outside her part of the employee corridor this afternoon. All the keycards have cameras now. If there’s any question, even a small one, the scanners will deny entry and alert my men. No one is getting near her room if they don’t belong there.”
Paul let loose a choked snicker and then shook his head. “I should’ve known you would cover all the angles. And here I was feeling nervous because I thought Rowan might be in more danger if she retreated to her sanctuary. You won’t let that happen to her. I don’t know why I thought you would.”
“I definitely won’t let that happen to her,” Quinn agreed. “I’ll also be with her. No one is getting near her tonight. After dinner, we’re spending the rest of the night in the room. Then, tomorrow is a new day. We’ll tackle each day as it comes.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Nick offered. “In fact ... .” He trailed off, his eyes sharpening as they landed on a spot over Quinn’s shoulder.
When the security chief turned to see what had caught the man’s attention, his stomach gave a small heave. It was Spencer ... and he was heading in their direction. “Why can’t he just leave us alone?” he groused, his temper flaring. “It’s as if he’s purposely trying to bait me into killing him.”
Rowan quickly shifted her eyes to Quinn, surprise lighting the sea-blue depths. “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”
“Kill him?” Quinn bobb
ed his head without hesitation. “There’s nothing I won’t do to protect you. Absolutely nothing. We’re not there yet, though.” He flicked his eyes to Paul and Nick quickly. “Be prepared for him to try and schmooze you. He’s trying to ingratiate himself to all of us.”
“We’ve got it,” Nick reassured him. “If you feel the need to flee with Rowan at some point, don’t feel guilty. We’ll handle Mr. Spencer.”
“We definitely will,” Paul agreed.
Spencer was all smiles when he approached the group. “There you all are.” He beamed a friendly smile at all of them in turn, although there was something fake about the greeting. Nothing he did felt sincere. Of course, Quinn rationalized that could easily be because he was already suspicious of him. It was something to think about later.
“Here we are,” Quinn agreed, keeping his expression neutral. There was nothing overtly friendly about his demeanor. There was nothing dismissive about it either. “Not for long, though. Once Rowan is finished with dinner, we’re calling it a night and heading back to our quarters to relax.”
Disappointment caused Spencer’s lips to curve down. “Oh, really? It’s so early. I was hoping we would get to talk as a group.”
“Why would we talk as a group?” Quinn queried. “I didn’t realize you were familiar with Mr. Green.” He wanted to put Spencer on the spot, see what he would say. It was a test.
“I’ve yet to have the honor of meeting Mr. Green,” Spencer offered hurriedly. “I’m a big fan, though. As a diving enthusiast, I followed the find on El Demonio with great interest. My understanding is that you’ve already removed a bit of treasure from the wreck.”
“It’s always hard to know what you have,” Nick countered. “The ship has been at the bottom of the ocean for a very long time. It’s painstaking work to recover what’s down there because most of the woodwork gives way if you touch it. It’s nice to meet another fellow diving enthusiast, though.”
Farewell Seas Page 50
