by Alyssa Drake
“Did she say anything?”
“Run.” Eliza choked on the word. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she turned away. Nate crossed the room swiftly, wrapping her in his arms. He brushed a soft hand down her hair, placing a light kiss on her forehead.
“If you saw him again, would you recognize him?”
“No.” Eliza looked up into Nate’s earnest face. “I never had a clear view of his face.”
“Could you identify his voice?” asked Mr. Maldove, thoughtfully.
“Possibly,” replied Eliza, glancing at him over Nate’s shoulder. She paused for a moment, collecting her courage, pushing out of Nate’s arms. “I’ve been running for a long time, Mr. Maldove. I think I deserve to know why. Why did this man murder my parents?”
Mr. Maldove sighed heavily. “Your father was selected to prosecute Paolo Valducci, who was charged with a double homicide and facing the death penalty. The case would have skyrocketed your father’s career.
“Mr. Valducci’s son, Lionel, approached your father privately and demanded that he turn over evidence—photographs—tying Paolo to the crime. Your father refused. Lionel sent a message, a disemboweled dog.”
Eliza shuddered, the memory smacking into her subconscious. “I remember that. He hung the dog off the porch, skinned it too.”
“Your father and I decided it was best to hide your family and the evidence until the trial commenced. He died the day before the trial.”
“Without that evidence, Paolo went free,” said Nate.
“As did Lionel,” replied Mr. Maldove. “However, both Paolo and Lionel were in custody the morning your parents were attacked. Which means, someone else pulled the trigger.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.” Mr. Maldove looked away a moment. When he returned his gaze to Eliza, his eyes were misty. “Whoever did this had knowledge of, and access to, my private files at the firm.”
“Then it had to be a partner,” said Nate.
“That was my conclusion,” replied Mr. Maldove heavily, he sank onto the bed. “Your mother was discovered that evening. When your father’s dismembered body turned up the next day in a dumpster, we waited to hear news of you. But nothing. Not a whisper. I imagined that perhaps, somehow, you survived. I started looking, quietly.”
He smiled up at Eliza, proudly. “You really were quite hard to find; gave Frankie a terrible temper. She hates when someone gets the best of her.” He fell silent for a moment, his head tipped to the side. “I’m curious to know how you ended up at Mr. Taren’s club.”
Eliza blushed. “You’ll think I’m silly.”
“Perhaps, but I would like to know anyways.”
“I was following Orion.”
“The constellation? An interesting choice,” replied Mr. Maldove. His flat voice gave no hint of judgement.
“I’m confused, why would this person exact revenge upon Eliza? She really had nothing to do with this,” said Nate.
“The photographs are still missing. They can send Paolo back to prison; he’s never been tried for the crimes.” He glanced at Eliza. “Someone knows where they are.”
“I don’t,” Eliza replied. Her curt tone surprised Nate. He arched an eyebrow, but said nothing.
“Someone thinks you do,” replied Mr. Maldove.
Fear crashed down on Eliza. She turned to Nate, her eyes wide. “He’ll never stop chasing me, will he?”
Nate wrapped his arms around Eliza again, drawing her to him. “No.”
She sagged against his body, her head curled into his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?”
“Ruining your event.”
His arms tightened around her. “How so? I still get to spend the day with you.”
“Can you really help me?” She murmured the question with her face smushed against one of his shirt’s buttons.
“Eliza.” Mr. Maldove spoke from her left shoulder, his quiet approach unnoticed. “With your permission, I’d like to use you as bait to draw out your parents’ murderer. If I recognized you, then someone else will too. I’d like to see who bids on you today, aside from my smitten son.” His eyes slid to Nate. “I’m not blind, Nathaniel.”
Nate swallowed his grin and shrugged, adjusting his grip on Eliza’s waist. “I plead no contest.”
“Both my boys, as well as myself, are here to protect you, Eliza. However, do not to trust anyone beyond our circle. This is an extremely dangerous plan, and I’d like your full consent before we continue.”
Eliza stared up at Nate. “Do you swear you’ll win me this afternoon?” she asked, her whispered plea filled with terror.
“Yes.” Nate’s eyes blazed darkly.
Eliza turned to Mr. Maldove, exhaling slowly. “I agree to your plan.”
Mr. Maldove inclined his head toward Eliza, “I expect you both for lunch. You’re to be seated at my table and you can meet the other partners at that time. I suggest you take a turn about the ship and we’ll see if anyone recognizes you.”
“Okay.” Eliza’s voice cracked.
“Nathaniel, she doesn’t leave your sight.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Mr. Maldove turned on his heel and strode from the room. As he passed through the door, he nudged it with the toe of his shoe. It closed behind him with soft click.
“Are you alright with this?” asked Nate, squeezing Eliza gently. “It’s a very dangerous plan.”
“I’ve been on my own a long time—” Eliza chewed her lower lip. “But, you’re kind of big, and Everett is definitely big.”
“Big doesn’t stop a gun,” replied Nate. One arm twitched aside his coat, revealing a holster hidden under his arm. “This will.”
“Have you had that the entire time?” asked Eliza, her eyes widening.
“I usually keep it in the car, but I brought it aboard at Father’s request.”
“Do you always do what he says?”
“Yes,” Nate replied matter-of-factly, returning his arm to its original location on her waist. “No one questions my father.”
“Oh.”
“Now, I believe, I was instructed not to allow you out of my sight. Are you ready for an exclusive tour of the ship? It really is quite splendid.”
“Sure.” Eliza grimaced, slightly miffed at Nate’s proposal. She crossed her arms, feeling churlish. “That’s not what I thought you would suggest.”
Nate smiled, lifting Eliza’s hand to his mouth. He pressed a kiss on her knuckles, sending shivers scattering through Eliza’s arm. “As delighted as I would be to act upon my carnal desires, it would be prudent for you to know the layout of the yacht, in addition to parading you in front of the guests. Just as a safety precaution,” he added.
“If you think that’s best.”
He turned over Eliza’s hand, grazing his lips along the pulse point at her wrist. Heat pooled in her stomach. She leaned into him, pressed a kiss against his lips, her tongue lightly running along the seam of his mouth. Nate groaned, releasing her arm.
“I will exact that promise once I own you.”
Eliza arched her eyebrow. “It’s not permanent servitude, remember? You only get a few hours of my time.”
“That may not be long enough.” Nate’s husky voice rumbled seductively. He wrapped his fingers through hers, and they exited into the empty hallway. “Come on, let’s go explore.”
Nate escorted Eliza above deck just as the ship pushed away from shore. She stood at the railing, watching the dock shrink away. Nate, standing directly behind her, placed his arms on either side of the railing. His voice tickled her ear. “Hold on.”
As engines thrusted, Eliza toppled backward, crashing into Nate’s hard chest. He pressed his body against her back, pinning her against the railing, discreetly dropping a searing kiss on her neck. “I warned you.”
Eliza spun, still encased in Nate’s arms. “You planned that!”
“I had nothing to do with your clumsiness.” He shook his head, eyes glittering with de
light.
“You really should change before lunch.” Sabrina’s annoyed voice disdainfully criticized from their left.
“You know, there was a time when you once enjoyed shipping out, Sabrina.” Nate offered her a tight smile.
“I grew up.” She scowled, glaring disapprovingly at Nate’s intimate proximity to Eliza. “I have more important things to worry about right now.”
“Such as?”
“Where Frankie’s disappeared to, again. She’s supposed to help me set up the dining room.” Sabrina pouted. “Perhaps the two of you—”
“Save it, Sabrina.” Nate held up his hand. “Eliza needs to dress for lunch, as you so sweetly put it.”
Sabrina grumbled under her breath. “That’s fair. What about you, dear brother? You look…”—her eyes flicked critically over his casual clothing—“acceptable.”
“I’ll get lost.” Eliza blurted out the words. “I have no idea where the rooms are, and I don’t want to waste time wandering through the ship.”
“Fine.” Sabrina growled. “Don’t help me, then.”
“Perhaps Everett is available,” suggested Nate, brightly. “After all, this event was his idea in the first place.”
Sabrina blew Nate a kiss. “Thank you.” She turned, gliding down the hallway. “Oh, Everett,” she called sweetly, “I need you.”
“Crap.” The reply echoed across the deck.
Snickering, Nate steered Eliza in the opposite direction of their rooms. “Have you seen the pool yet?”
“There’s a pool?” asked Eliza incredulously.
“Yes, and it’s breathtaking at night, almost magical.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“Merely an indication of one of the places I plan to take you this evening.”
“How many places do you plan to take me?”
“As many places as I can get you naked.” Nate wiggled his eyebrows and folded his hand through hers. “Let’s go piss someone off.”
Chapter 9
“I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Nate slipped his arm around her waist and led her along the deck. They rounded a corner to discover a large, kidney-shaped pool. Lounge chairs were scattered sporadically about, mostly unoccupied, save for a handful of souls willing to brave the cool morning air. At the far end of the deck, an older couple sat with their feet dangling in the whirlpool.
“Nathaniel.” The man waved, gesturing Nate and Eliza over with a friendly greeting.
“That’s Mr. William Daube, one of the partners, and his wife, Edith.” Nate whispered as he and Eliza wound their way around the chairs. They sauntered toward a short, stout man and his corpulent wife, her blinding jewelry sparkled as she kicked her feet in the water. “He and my father built the firm together. They met at university, roommates as it were. My father introduced him to Edith at a party; they’ve been married over thirty years. We grew up with their children, spent a lot of time together as kids.”
“So, he’s family?”
“Thus, my father’s predicament. He considers all the partners to be family.” Nate muttered out the side of his mouth, barely moving his lips. “And one these men is a murderer.”
“Mr. Daube.” Nate greeted the older man with a formal handshake and then dropped a respectful kiss on his wife’s hand. “Mrs. Daube. It is wonderful to see you again. It’s been a long time.” Nate eased Eliza forward, his arm still possessively wrapped around her. “Allow me to introduce one of our charity volunteers. This is Eliza.”
“Eliza, it’s lovely to meet you.” Mrs. Daube beamed and ripped Eliza from Nate’s grasp, smothering her in a hearty, heavily perfumed embrace. “I am so happy to hear you’re participating in this event. It’s a wonderful foundation.”
“Yes, Eliza,” Mr. Daube smiled, lifting Eliza’s hand and kissing the back of it. “I’m grateful to anyone who donates to such a worthy cause.”
“And to think this whole event was started by the death of Everett’s wife.” Mrs. Daube sniffed, dabbing a thick fingertip at the corner of each eye. “Such a sweet girl and to die so young.”
“Clarissa and Everett were high school sweethearts.” Nate leaned over and spoke in a hushed tone. “Shortly after they married, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She began this charity to raise funds for heart transplant research. The first year, she raised over one hundred thousand dollars.”
“That’s incredible!” exclaimed Eliza.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save Clarissa’s life.” Mrs. Daube sniffed again and turned away, swallowing a sob.
“Everett continued the auction after her death, vowing to continue her work. He created the foundation.” Nate reached into his coat and retrieved a white handkerchief, which he subtly passed to Mrs. Daube. “The next year, he doubled the amount raised.”
“And he’s been doing an excellent job since then.” Mr. Daube broke up the melancholy cloud settling over them with his boisterous voice. “I was just telling William, the other day, how proud I am of Everett for his work. Wasn’t I, dear?” He placed a kind hand on her shoulder.
“Yes.” She sniffed one last time and pasted a large smile on her lips. “Would the two of you like to join us in a little mid-morning soak?”
“No, thank you for the offer, perhaps another time.” Nate accepted his handkerchief back from Mrs. Daube and tucked it back into his pocket. “I’d like to continue giving Eliza a tour of this beautiful craft.” He nodded to each of them, and Eliza mirrored his action.
“Of course.” Mrs. Daube smiled. “Enjoy yourselves, we’ll see you at lunch. Lovely to meet you, Eliza.” She waved as Nate dragged Eliza away, nearly yanking her arm off as they rounded the next corner.
“She’s a kind woman, but she’ll talk you to death.” Nate slowed their pace once the Daubes were out of sight. He casually slipped his arm back around Eliza’s waist. “Ready to meet some more people?”
Eliza nodded. “Partner number one is Mr. Daube; he’s your father’s oldest friend and an honorary uncle.”
“Correct.”
“How many partners are in your father’s firm?”
“There are two other partners: Mr. Stewart and Mr. Brevin. Mason Stewart is on his third wife; Vickie, I think. He has a bit of a wandering hand.”
“Don’t you mean eye.”
“No, I mean hand. Watch out for him—he likes to pinch.” Nate’s hand inched below her waistband, cupping her butt gently and squeezing.
She yelped. “Thanks for the warning.”
Nate smirked. As they strolled, Nate called out a greeting to two ladies promenading in the opposite direction. “Those are the Monroe sisters. Anna, on the left, married one of the junior partners, John Thompson. Teresa never married. She works at the firm as a paralegal.” He addressed every person they passed, muttering names and backstory under his breath.
“I’m never going to remember all these people.” Eliza admitted apprehensively as they neared the bow.
“It gets easier. I’m probably overloading you with information. Let’s just stick with the important ones.”
“Okay.” Eliza exhaled a sigh of relief. “Tell me about the final partner.”
“Joseph Brevin, my uncle and my mother’s brother, is the third partner. His wife left him several years ago, ran off with her tennis instructor and left him a note.”
“How cliché,” murmured Eliza.
Nate smirked. “He never remarried, but he has a steady girlfriend, Jane Oliver. They’ve been together so long, they should get married, but I think he enjoys being a stubborn, old man.”
Eliza snickered.
“About four years ago, Joe had an accident horseback riding; the horse spooked and bucked him. He landed on a boulder, injuring his spine and breaking a leg. He’s been confined to a wheelchair ever since.”
“Isn’t that dangerous to have a wheelchair on a ship? I mean, couldn’t he slide right off the side of the boat?”
“Unless the stubborn
old man can swim.” A gruff voice reverberated behind them. Nate and Eliza spun, wearing twin sheepish expressions.
“Uncle Joe.” Nate snapped upright, greeting his uncle with a respectful salute. “I’m so glad you could make the event this year.”
“I sincerely doubt that, Nathaniel.” His uncle snorted. “You always were a terrible liar.”
“Part of my charm.” Nate broke his statuesque posture and flung his arms around his uncle’s shoulders. His uncle laughed, clapping Nate on the back.
“It sure is.” He glanced up at Eliza. “Since my nephew has completely forgotten his manners, I’d like to introduce myself. Joseph Brevin. However, most folks just call me Joe.”
“Joe, it’s lovely to meet you.” Eliza extended her hand. “My name is Eliza Quinn.”
Joe released Nate, shoving him to the side as he yanked Eliza to him. She fell across his lap, surprised by his strength. “I knew your parents.” He wrapped his arms tightly around her, overwhelming Eliza with the scent of cigars. “A terrible tragedy, what happened to them.”
“Thank you,” replied Eliza, attempting to extract herself from his iron embrace. She pushed off the arms of the wheelchair. Just as her feet touched the deck, Joe’s hand locked onto her wrist and tightened until she winced.
“You are in extreme danger, you can’t trust anyone aboard this ship.” He hissed, glancing to the left and right. “Not one person, do you understand me? Except Nathaniel; do not leave his side.” Joe released her, nodded tersely to Nate, and rolled away without another word.
Eliza’s stomach clenched, icy fear racing through her veins. She glanced at Nate, wondering why both Joe and Mr. Maldove were adamant she remained with him. “What are you, Special Forces or something?”
“Or something.” Nate placed a strong hand on the center of her back. “I think perhaps we should return you to your room. We’ve been seen by enough people to start the rumor mill.”
The path they took to return to Eliza’s stateroom differed from their original route. Nate cranked open a metal door, leading Eliza down a set of steep metal stairs. The temperature rose as they descended. Wandering through the bowels of the ship, they passed by the ship’s pristine machine room. Crew members rushed about, checking dials and twisting knobs. Nate acknowledged each employee by their proper name, pausing to speak with them about their families or hobbies. He introduced Eliza to every crew member.
