by Alyssa Drake
“I took her to breakfast, too.” Nate smirked as Sabrina slammed the door. She dragged Eliza toward the trunk and slammed her fist on the car.
“Your other brother was there, too.” Eliza winced as Sabrina’s nails gouged into her bicep.
“What?” Sabrina dropped Eliza’s arm in shock. “You met Everett?”
“Yes.” Nate climbed from the car and eased his door closed. He joined them at the rear of the car.
“What were the two of you doing together this morning?” Sabrina’s eyes narrowed. “Plotting?”
“No, it was a serendipitous meeting.” Nate lifted his hand and crossed a finger over his heart.
“Since when are the two of you early for any event?”
“Father called.”
Sabrina paled. “Why?”
Nate shrugged. “All he said was I was to arrive no later than Friday evening.”
“Oh, midnight.” Eliza glanced at him. “That’s why you showed up so late.”
“Yes.” Nate inclined his head. “As far as I could push it, but no farther.” His gaze flicked back to Sabrina. “I suspect Everett received the same kind of call.”
“But he wasn’t at the house.” Sabrina frowned. “Where did you meet him?”
“He chased us down the highway,” said Eliza, her gaze shifting between the two siblings. “Perhaps he slept in the garage and we woke him when we left this morning.”
“That’s highly probable.” Nate stroked his chin thoughtfully. “He does love to tinker. He even created a makeshift apartment over the garage.”
“It still doesn’t answer the question as to why Father contacted you both.” Sabrina paced three steps toward the dock, staring at the yacht.
“Or why he asked you to invite Eliza.” Nate growled at her back. “What was your allowable budget?”
Sabrina spun around with wide eyes. Her head jerked to Eliza. “You told him?”
“I didn’t know it was a secret.” Eliza raised her hands and stepped backward, bumping into the car. Nate subtly moved to her side and slipped his fingers around her hand, squeezing once.
Sabrina threw up her hands and growled, her frustration evident. “Alright, yes, I paid her, but it was at Father’s request.”
“Why?”
“I… I don’t know.” A strange look crossed Sabrina’s face. “Do you?”
“I don’t,” replied Nate, with a shake of his head.
“Father must be up to something.” Sabrina wandered back and forth as she considered the possibilities.
“Did you receive any other strange instructions?” Nate watched her pace.
Sabrina scrunched her face into a dainty pout, thinking. “Last night, Father asked me to go to Mr. Taren’s club and invite the feisty waitress named Eliza to participate in the auction.” She leveled her gaze at Nate. “Whatever means necessary.”
“Interesting. We’ll need to check with Everett, maybe he knows something.” Nate’s eyes settled on Eliza; she shifted uncomfortably under his notice. “You knew nothing of our family before last night?”
“No.” Eliza shrugged. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s no fault of yours.” Nate squeezed her hand again and released it.
“Humph.” Sabrina grunted and walked toward the rear of the car, gesturing at the trunk.
“Sabrina is just upset because she thought she was infamous.” Nate winked at Eliza and depressed the button to unlatch the trunk. It popped open revealing two shopping bags packed full of clothing waited atop a small black suitcase.
“Did you buy the entire store?” Sabrina grumbled as she lifted one bulging sack. “This better not be a plot to earn more donation points, Nathaniel.”
“I couldn’t decide what to wear.” Eliza glanced awkwardly at Sabrina, digging the toe of her sneaker into the loose gravel. “I’ve never been to this type of function before.”
Sabrina’s anger melted instantly. “Oh, of course. Well, that makes sense. Hopefully, you didn’t purchase heels—they’re impossible to walk in once the ship is moving.” Amiably, she looped an arm through Eliza’s, directing her toward the dock. “I’m terribly sorry about missing out on the shopping trip this morning, it sounds like you had fun. I wish I could have been there.”
Behind them, Nate smirked. “I doubt that.”
Eliza blushed.
Spinning around, Sabrina flashed a dazzling smile at her brother. “Grab her other bag, would you, Nate?” Her sweet voice dripped sugar. “I must attend to my guest.”
Leading Eliza down a narrow walkway, Sabrina escorted her over a maze of lashed planks, which shifted slightly with the waves. She helped Eliza to step up onto the gangplank, walking behind her as they climbed a steep incline to the ship’s entrance. Waiting at the top of the gangplank, a woman, with shockingly white hair braided into a crown around her head, greeted them graciously.
“Mother.” Sabrina exchanged an airy kiss with the woman. “I’d like to introduce you to Eliza. She has kindly offered to assist with the charity this evening.”
“Eliza, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m so thankful you decided to join us.” She leaned forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Eliza, squeezing tightly. “My husband would like to meet you as well, later; right now, he’s dealing with some last-minute details.” She smiled at Sabrina and gestured at the people rushing about behind her. “You know how it goes—there’s always something.”
“I do.” Sabrina nodded. “I’ll take Eliza to get settled into her cabin. Will we have time to chat prior to the luncheon?”
“Very doubtful, dear; I have a lot to do as well. However, you’ll be at our table, we can catch up then. Eliza, I’m truly sorry to be so abrupt, but Sabrina will show you around.” She ushered them off the gangplank, giving Sabrina a light shove toward a man stationed at a small card table set up to their right. He stood stiffly, his gold and black uniform winking smartly in the morning sunlight.
“Ladies, may I have your names please?” He asked with a pompous bow. Eliza winced at his nasal voice, shivering under his critical stare.
“Miss Sabrina Maldove and the last-minute guest my father mentioned to you yesterday evening.” Sabrina’s voice held the same bored tone.
“Excellent.” His reply sounded as though he felt the exact opposite. He scratched some notes on a clipboard, plucked two keys from the table, and thrust his hand toward Sabrina. “Here are your room keys. Do you need instructions on how to locate your quarters?”
“No.” Sabrina shook her head. “I’ve been aboard this ship many times.”
“Of course, Miss Maldove. Welcome back.” He turned his attention to the couple waiting behind them.
Sabrina placed her hand on Eliza’s back and directed her away from the table. Strolling quickly through a labyrinth of corridors, Sabrina wove through the ship with an innate sense of direction. Eliza dogged her heels, her hand unconsciously outstretched, almost touching the hem of Sabrina’s nautical top. They paused at a bank of doors extending down a short corridor, identical to every other corridor they flew through, except for a small gold plaque placed at eye-level. The muted gold sign glinted, the word ‘Maldove’ etched elegantly into the soft metal.
“This is the family wing. Mother and Father have that first room.” She indicated a mahogany door to their right. “You are all the way at the end of the hallway; it’s a little smaller than the rest of the rooms, I hope you won’t mind. I have to track down Frankie; that will give you some time to settle in and unpack.” Sabrina passed one of the old-fashioned brass keys to Eliza and then handed over bag of clothes, glancing momentarily at the sack. “I’d hang those. You wouldn’t want anything to wrinkle.”
Eliza watched Sabrina flounce down the hallway and disappear around the corner. Sighing, she balanced the bag on her hip, shifted her grip, and wondered why Nate purchased so many outfits for a weekend cruise. Struggling with the key, she fiddled with the lock a moment before wrenching the door open. She tumbled into the room, drop
ping the heavy shopping bag onto the floor, and landing on her knees with a grunt. Clothing spilled from the bag, a colorful ocean of delicate cloth.
“Swell, I’ll probably end up with bruises on both my knees.” Eliza muttered aloud and flopped onto her butt to inspect her legs.
A beam of light highlighted her clumsy fall, circling her like a spotlight and painting rainbows across the floor. Glancing up, she noticed a beveled glass door, with an intricate fleur-de-lis carved into the corners. It opened onto a tiny balcony.
Eliza climbed to her feet, padding over to the glass door, and peered out. The brilliant blue of the water sparkled invitingly. Cracking the door, Eliza was immediately struck by the crisp ocean air. It merrily danced through the room, ruffling her hair and tickling her bare skin. She breathed deeply, her eyes closing in delight. A light spray of water blew into her face. She sighed happily. Leaving the balcony door ajar, Eliza wandered through the immaculate suite, trailing her fingertips lightly over the furniture.
“And Sabrina considers this small?” She spoke to herself, needing to fill the silence, and knelt to scoop the clothing back into the sack. “You’re still very much out of your league, Eliza.”
“What was that?” Nate’s familiar voice called through the cabin door.
Eliza yelped, the bag slipping through her fingers. “Nate?”
“Who else would it be?” A hint of irritation accompanied the question.
“Marauders?” teased Eliza, as she pulled open the door.
Nate waited with an easy grin on his lips, his arms wrapped carefully around the second shopping bag. “Delivery.”
“Hi.” Eliza’s stomach flipped over at the sight of him, desire swept through her body. She forced herself to turn away and collect the fallen bag from the floor. “I tripped.” She murmured the half-hearted explanation and set the sack on top of a small glass table near the kitchenette.
She lifted the top outfit, a classic black cocktail dress, shook it carefully, and hung it in the nearby closet. “I wish you hadn’t bought so much,” she said, retrieving the next dress, a lemon-yellow sheath.
“I like to support local businesses.” He tilted his head, an unreadable expression on his face. “Don’t you like them?”
“I do, they’re exquisite, but I can’t keep them.”
“Why not?” asked Nate, stepping into the room. “They don’t fit in your reality?”
Eliza stared hard at him for a moment. “No, they don’t.”
“Consider them a memento.”
“You’re not going to give up, are you?”
“Nope.” Nate grinned. “Would you like some help unpacking?” He placed his twin bag next to the one on the table, and his arm intentionally brushed against hers. She trembled, acutely aware of his proximity.
“Yes,” replied Eliza. She turned away to hide the ridiculous grin decorating her mouth and forced the smile from her lips as she selected the next dress.
With his tongue trapped between his teeth, Nate shoved his hand into the bottom of his sack and rummaged around, fishing. With a smirk, he retrieved a lacy white thong. “I definitely selected the right bag.” He snickered, holding up the panties. “When do I get to see this outfit?”
“Well, I couldn’t exactly go commando.” Eliza blushed, attempting to snatch them from his hand.
“Why not?” asked Nate, waving her panties like a flag. He danced out of her reach with a devilish grin. “I do.”
She lunged at Nate. Laughing, he sidestepped her attack. She reacted swiftly, swinging her arm wide and catching him around the waist. Nate lost his balance and stumbled backward, landing on the bed. Eliza pounced, straddling his hips as she tried to tear her panties from his grasp.
“Am I interrupting something?” An amused voice rumbled from the doorway.
Chapter 8
Nate’s head popped up, he rolled Eliza to his side, and rose to his feet with a formal bow, hiding the thong behind his back. Eliza ripped the panties from his fist and shoved them under a pillow, scrambling off the bed. She quickly combed the sides of her hair, tucking the loose tendrils behind her ears.
“Hello, Father.”
“Nathaniel.”
“Father, may I introduce—”
“Miss Eliza Quinn,” interrupted Mr. Maldove. His blue eyes, similar in color to his son’s, sparkled. “It’s lovely to see you again.”
Eliza’s jaw dropped. “How do you know who I am?”
Her heart leapt into her throat; no one knew who she was. How did Mr. Maldove recognize her? She edged down the mattress until she reached the end and stood, wild escape plans racing through her head.
“I had the great pleasure of working with your father prior to his unfortunate demise. He was one of my partners and an extremely dear friend.”
Nate’s head bounced between his father and Eliza. “Is that why you asked Sabrina to include Eliza in the auction?”
“It is.” Mr. Maldove’s eyes shifted to Nate momentarily. “I won’t ask how you discovered my involvement in Eliza’s invitation.” Something passed over Mr. Maldove’s face as he considered his son, a mixture of pride and surprise. Then it disappeared quickly, and he turned his attention back to her. “Eliza, I have been searching for you quite some time. You are a hard person to track down.”
“I move a lot.” Eliza took a tiny step toward the balcony, a subtle movement which both men noticed.
“That I’m aware of, having missed you several times at previous addresses. Imagine my surprise when you turned up at Mr. Taren’s club.”
“Why were you looking for Eliza?” asked Nate.
“Perhaps it’s best to ask Eliza why she keeps moving,” suggested Mr. Maldove, gesturing to Eliza with a tight smile.
“Alright.” Nate turned as Eliza took another minute step backward. “Why do you move so much?”
“No niceties, just jump right to the question?” Eliza slid another foot backward.
Nate’s jaw locked and a muscle on the side of his neck twitched. “I find the direct approach is best.”
“I don’t trust a lot of people.” Eliza stalled, fearful of revealing too much.
“That’s your father’s influence,” said Mr. Maldove, spreading his arms into a friendly gesture “If I had meant you any harm, I would have killed you when I first discovered you at Mr. Taren’s club. I would not have invited you to my ship where your murder would trace back to me.”
Eliza nodded, her eyes skipping to the balcony.
Mr. Maldove stepped away from the door, moving to stand beside Nate. “You are free to leave any time you wish. Only I know your true identity at this point. I believe Sabrina promised you ten thousand dollars; I’ll ensure you receive the full amount. That should keep you running for a while. However, if you wish to stay”—he paused, sadness in his eyes—“perhaps we can figure out who is responsible for your parents’ deaths.”
Eliza chewed her lower lip thoughtfully, her back nearly to the sliding glass door. If she wanted, she could jump from the balcony into the ocean and swim for shore. Her fingers closed around the handle.
“I would prefer you used the cabin door,” said Mr. Maldove, as if reading her thoughts.
“I’d like to know what’s going on.” Nate studied Eliza curiously.
She turned, staring out the glass at the sparkling water, and inhaled, her eyes shutting automatically. When she spoke, her eyes remained closed.
“Three-and-a-half years ago, a man I’d never seen before knocked on the front door of a beachside cottage my parents were renting. My mother recognized him immediately through a video monitoring system which was set up throughout the house.” Eliza turned from the window, leveling her gaze with Nate. “My father was very concerned for our safety. Although the house came with a primitive security system, he upgraded it with the newest high-tech equipment.”
“It was my cottage,” said Mr. Maldove, his admission a mere whisper. “I loaned it to your parents.”
Eliza tilted h
er head, studying him. “I don’t remember meeting you.”
“You weren’t meant to.” He gestured. “Please continue.”
“My mother and I were in the kitchen preparing breakfast, and I’d just cracked open an egg and dropped it into the pan when she saw him. Before I could react, she shoved me into a small cupboard under the sink. The eggshell was still in my hand.” Eliza shuddered, rubbing her arms for warmth. “The man kicked open the front door, splintering the wood and entered the kitchen. He demanded my father, but my mother refused to reveal his whereabouts. So, he shot her, laughing as he pulled the trigger two more times. Bullets zipped past my head, striking the pipes under the sink. I bit my hand to keep from screaming.”
Absently, Eliza rubbed a crescent-shaped scar on her right palm. “Water poured out of the pipes, soaking me and gushing onto the floor, streaming under the cupboard door. He slammed through the house, upending furniture and smashing anything of value.”
“But he didn’t find you?” whispered Nate.
Eliza shook her head. “No. He discovered my father concealed in the panic room. He knew exactly where to search.” Eliza paused in her reminiscence; her eyes flicked to Mr. Maldove. “How did that man know about the hidden room?”
Mr. Maldove sighed. “I’m ashamed to admit this; however, I have long believed the man who is responsible for this heinous crime is one of my partners. Unfortunately, I don’t know which one, and I can’t act on suspicion.”
“How did you escape?” asked Nate.
“I heard my father struggle as he was dragged through the house. The violent scuffle incurred the wrath of this man. Using the butt of his gun, he beat my father until he stopped struggling and hauled his unconscious body over the tile floor, leaving a smear of bright crimson from the bedroom to the front door. I heard him toss my father into the trunk of his car, like a sack of garbage, then drive away slowly, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. As soon as the car pulled away, I uncurled myself and crawled from the cupboard, through the blood-stained water, toward my mother. She took her final breaths in my arms.”
