Hitman's Captive: A Bad Boy Romance (40 page)
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Authors: Lara Swann
Bella
“Babe,
seriously - time to stop moping.”
I
glared across at Kaylee’s easy smile as she gave me a light thump on the
shoulder, already regretting allowing myself to be dragged from the nice den of
self-pity I’d built up. The sun seemed too bright, the day too cheerful for my
mood. And Kaylee wasn’t helping.
“C’mon,
rage, yell, curse, scream - we can do whatever you like. There’s not even
anyone around to hear it. But for god’s sake, stop being so damned tedious.”
I felt
like yelling at
her
, but I clamped down on it.
Why
had I thought it would be good to invite her around?
Except
I hadn’t exactly invited her round. She’d called and announced it was time to
get me out of my funk. I’d only been in it for a couple of days, but that was
too long for her lively schedule. Apparently she wanted to
do things this
summer.
Not that I could do anything right now anyway - I was confined to
the house. Or rather, it’s extensive property. But still, at twenty-one, that
smarted.
“You’re
meant to be my friend, Kay.”
I
grumbled at her ineffectually.
“This
is being your friend.”
I
flopped back on the grass and closed my eyes - our usual haunt next to the pool
forsaken as apparently staring blindly into endless sparkling waters wasn’t
good for me at the moment.
“I’ve
been mugged before, you know.”
She
continued in her easy, chattering tone, the topic waking the emotions that had
gone to ground within me, even as her singsong voice made me feel like sleeping
under the warm sun. I’d done a lot of sleeping the last couple of days.
“And I
didn’t have a hot Navy SEAL to save me either - had to do it the hard way,
dragging my ass to a police station, filing reports, claims…ugh, the tedium
might have been worse than the attack, actually. Think the guy was on something
too, didn’t really have a clue what he was doing…was lucky he wasn’t interested
in more, come to think of it.”
I
could hardly believe she was talking about something like that so casually, but
my mouth quirked anyway as I thought about how that situation had probably gone
down. One eye opened to take in her profile.
“And
then I bet your father bought you replacements for anything you lost, right?”
She
grinned lazily at me.
“Yeah
- took me out for ice cream, too.”
The image
of Seth and I battling over ice cream flickered across my mind, and I almost
groaned.
Why
the hell couldn’t he leave me alone?!
Mentally,
that was. Physically, I hadn’t seen him since that night. He hadn’t come to
dinner, and I’d hated him all the more for getting that option. Or taking it,
anyway. Our parents had murmured disapprovingly, but he wasn’t the kind of guy
to care.
“So,
you know, it happens. And yeah it takes some time to get over, but you do that
by ignoring the fear. Otherwise they’ve won.”
It was
a bundle of mixed metaphors, and Kaylee was really missing the point. It wasn’t
the mugging that had upset me. Of course, I hadn’t said a word about that
awkward night, so it wasn’t very fair to blame her for getting it wrong. But I
wasn’t in the mood to be fair, either.
“I’m
not scared, Kay. I’m…”
I had
no clue what I was. Nothing good. I was lost. Confused, with no idea where to
go from here. But, interestingly, her immediate assumption was afraid. I
guessed maybe that was common after a mugging, but Seth had so thoroughly
overwhelmed any of those feelings that I couldn’t even imagine it. I supposed I
should be grateful for that, but I was done feeling what I was supposed to.
“Still
smarting over the whole thing with your father?”
Kaylee’s
guess was still off, but closer. I groaned, not wanting to bring up that
picture again.
“Fuck,
Kay. Do we
have
to do this?! You honestly think going through all the
reasons I feel crappy is going to help?”
Her
glance turned amused and I shook my head. This wasn’t what I needed, even if
there was something comforting in her familiar attitude.
“You’re
right, babe, sorry. Next idea - time to break open the pool bar!”
I
looked at her dubiously as she jumped up, shading my eyes with my hand as I
tried to gauge the time. It couldn’t be more than mid-afternoon.
“At
this time?!”
“C’mon,
Bella. Getting flat out drunk will do wonders for your perspective, I promise.”
“And
the crushing hangover the next day?”
“That
also
does wonders for perspective. Nothing looks quite so important when you’re
off your face - or quite so bad when compared to the day after.”
Her
enthusiastic voice spoke of great experience with this. That really shouldn’t
be a convincing argument, but for once completely losing my senses seemed like
a good idea.
I
needed
something
to get the taste of Seth’s heady male scent off my
lips, to get the feel of his arms around me off my back, and to forget about
him entirely. If I had to forget about the world to do it, so be it. I was done
being miserable. Damn her for being right.
“Alright.
I’m in.”
I
forced myself up, and for the first time in two days, gave a small smile. What
was it about Kaylee that always did this to me?
She
didn’t give me a chance to change my mind, catching my hand and dragging me
back to the pool area.
After
stocking up on more than I thought we could possibly consume in a week, let
alone an afternoon, she tugged me in the other direction again.
“Let’s
head down to the beach - it’s a perfect day to lie by the sea and bum around.”
Seth
Which
in turn, wasn’t providing much relief from the unshakable aching need still
feeling ready to explode within me. I paused where the road disappeared into
private beaches, before cursing and walking on anyway, swinging my overly
energetic limbs as I started cooling down. This was Terence’s land - least he
could do was give me a chance to pause and watch the stormy waters.
My
stomach still coiled at the thought of being back here - and of who would be
oh-so-close. I’d stayed far enough away since dropping Bella back, and I had no
intention to change that - I’d just wanted to run along the coast in a nicer
place for once. I’d abandoned dinner and ignored the few messages my mother had
left for me - right now, I wasn’t sure I could even face the wedding, let alone
making nice with a ‘family’ I had no desire to be part of.
I ran
a hand through my short hair as my mind replayed that disaster of an evening
again. Part of me still felt I should have continued, showed her how much she
needed that undeniable lust - but I’d promised myself I wouldn’t hurt her
again. I couldn’t do that to her if she couldn’t handle it being just that one
last time.
One
last time…
The
back of my mind doubted whether even I could have dealt with that, but I
ignored it. All I’d wanted was to get her out of my head. Instead, I’d wound
myself up to the point I could think of nothing else. Even working out and training
with my buddies back at base didn’t do anything for me. Didn’t help that most
had places to go, people to spend time with in the precious moments they were
home. I couldn’t begrudge them that, but…I found myself doing so anyway.
With a
sigh, I sat on one of the dunes, looking out at the stormy waters that seemed
to match my mood tonight.
The
waves broke the glittering light of the moon as the rushing of waves covered
any other sound. My eyes scanned the beach automatically, but it was empty, the
pier desolate against the dark backdrop. Suited me perfectly. If it wasn’t for
the girl in her fine manor behind me, anyway.
The
jagged start-up of an engine cut through my thoughts and I glanced up with a
frown. It sounded like…
A
boat.
My
eyes shot to the pier and I thought I made out a couple of flickering lights.
Jumping up, I started walking towards it. I knew there was a small motorboat
there that Terence no doubt used to ferry people to his yacht sitting a mile or
so further out, but surely no one would be crazy enough to try and steal
it? They weren’t exactly the most subtle of things.
That
sound was
definitely
the boat though, and I could hear it ramping up as
it darted across the rough waves. It wasn’t even the kind of night for this.
I
started running, heading for the pier as I tried to make out what was going on.
The moon couldn’t compete with the blackness of the water, and whoever was
driving that thing wasn’t using much light. My suspicions intensified and I
came up hard on the pier, catching glimpses of it skipping across the
tumultuous waves.
It was
jig-jagging kind of crazily in the rough direction of the yacht, and my brow
furrowed, adrenaline already pumping though me.
What
the hell—
A
sudden gust of wind carried a giggle over to me and my blood froze.
Fuck
no.
I
stared, disbelieving, as its movements became halting, a couple of hard waves
buffeting it. It was only a little boat…
“Stop!
Come back!”
I
found myself yelling ineffectually, waving my arms even as I knew they wouldn’t
hear or see me over the roar of the engine in their ears, the loud crash of the
angry sea around them - not even that command voice.
Fucking
stupid idiots. What the hell did they think they were doing?!
Another
wave crashed into them and I heard a sudden scream cut off abruptly. I could
barely see anything, my eyes squinting against the saltwater spray, but I knew
what had happened.
That
same scream had shot through me only a few days ago.
And
then I was moving, no more time for anything else. I was stripped down to my
boxers in a heartbeat, and the dive was born of practice - long, solid strokes
moving me quickly through the water.
Even
so, I didn’t know whether it would be enough. They were quite far out, and my
heart was counting every beat from when I’d heard that shrill cry. My mind
flashed pictures of the sharp blades of the motor, the harsh movement of the
sea and the impact that would have blood discoloring the waters around us.
Fuck
no.
Fucking
stupid fucking girl.
The
mental diatribe died as soon as I got close enough to see, eyes not caring
about the stinging pain from forcing them open. The motorboat was larger than
I’d thought - but so were the waves. I worked with them the way only months of
training can do, splitting through them with no effort, as my gaze immediately
took in the wild-eyed girl leaning against the edge - holding onto the rope
from a lifebuoy bobbing unhelpfully a few meters from the boat. She was calling
out, yelling frantically, and I didn’t think she’d seen me, but I ignored her
as I tread water in the waves and scanned the rough sea around us.
I
couldn’t see anything and I fought a moment’s panic, cursing myself as I did
so. I never panicked. It didn’t happen.
The
crashing waves were distorting any possible sign of disturbance and my heart
was pounding from far more than the physical exertion it took to get here.
Fuck.
Something
surfaced across from me and I was moving instantly, diving for the sinking
flash of white, eyes wide open as I peered into the murky water. Then I my gaze
latched on and I kicked out hard, moving towards Bella as she struggled
ineffectually in the water. My arms closed around her waist and I propelled us
back up, letting out an inner breath of relief even as I fought to keep our
heads above the water. She was fighting me as much as the water but I didn’t
bother wasting breath telling her to stop - her eyes were glazed over and I
doubted she’d hear even at this close distance.
I cast
around for the buoy and saw it floating dangerously close to the back of the boat,
the rope almost getting caught in the motor. The damned girl in the boat didn’t
seem to have a clue, and was still looking madly around for Bella.
Another
wave hit the boat and she almost toppled in as well, leaning over the side as she
was. It righted the buoy though, and I grabbed onto it as it slung around the
side, pulling it over Bella’s head and clinging onto it myself.
That
had
Bella’s friend looking up, shock coming over her expression as she saw me - but
at least she was quick-witted enough to recover and start tugging on the rope
immediately. Nothing happened, and I realized even with the water helping, she
didn’t have the strength to drag us both back in. I was still worried about the
motor and the waves tossing the boat around, and stopped letting it support me
- pushing it forward instead with a few hard strokes of my legs.
We
made it to the edge well enough, and with me holding on and lifting Bella up to
her, the girl was able to drag them both back into the center of the boat. She
was quick enough to jump up and head back to me, but I was already hauling
myself over the side, my mass shaking the boat a little, but it held steady.
Bella
was coughing and sputtering on the hard wooden floor, and my focus narrowed to
that one point. My senses were working well enough I knew the other girl was
hovering between Bella and I, unsure what to do, and I caught the heavy smell
of alcohol.
Damn
fucking stupid girls.
The
small part of me outside pure rationality redoubled it’s rage, but this wasn’t
the time or place.
“What—”
The
question was cut off as she evidently realized getting out of my way was the
best idea. I knelt over Bella where she was still coughing up water. That she
was conscious was a good sign, but I wasn’t taking anything for granted as I
checked her over, rubbing her back and pressing down to encourage the liquid
out of her lungs. She’d started shivering - big racking motions that had me
concerned, and I did a quick check of her extremities. The water wasn’t freezing
this time of year, but the alcohol had already reduced her body temperature,
and the shock had probably tipped her over.
The
boat had slipped side-on to the next wave that crashed down around us, water
pooling in the center of the boat. I grabbed for Bella, refusing to let the
rocking motion dislodge us, but cursed as I glanced over at the motor - with
the other girl next to me, it had been abandoned. We needed to get back, and
get Bella warm and dry.
Reluctantly,
I looked up at her friend, who was watching me - the glazed look in her eyes
punctuated by shock and fear. At least it made her a little more alert.
“I
need to drive the boat back.”
I was
yelling and she had to lean close to understand the rough gestures I was
making. She nodded, kneeling next to Bella as I looked at her sceptically.
I
showed her how to rub Bella’s back, and though her movements were jerky, she
shifted the long red locks out of her face automatically - the long practice in
the gesture reassuring me a little. Hesitating, I grabbed her chin, looking
hard into the mixed awareness in her eyes.
“How
drunk are you?!”
I
didn’t want to leave Bella in the hands of someone who couldn’t hold onto her
if we hit another wave. There was no way I was letting her drive us back,
though.
“I’mm
okk…”
Her
voice was slurred as she answered, but her eyes had enough of a spark that I
didn’t outright drag Bella back to the rudder with me.
With a
small shake of my head, I let go and jumped into the back, grabbing the
neglected motor and ramping the engine up again.
The
sea was rough, but nothing compared to what I’d dealt with and we cut through
easily enough, my eyes on the two girls in the middle of the boat more than
anything else. They were huddling and shaking together, but it was only really
Bella’s shivering I was worried about - her lips had had a pale tinge to them I
didn’t like.
They
hadn’t managed to get too far out, and I nigh on grounded the boat as I raced
straight for the shore, the straightest line to the path back up the house, not
bothering with trying to moor at the pier. That route raised a shrill scream
from the girl I didn’t know, but I ignored it as the boat ran up into sand,
wedging hard enough not to fall over. Then I was out, landing knee-deep in the
sea and reaching over to take Bella into my arms. I helped the other girl out,
but didn’t give her any time to recover as I set off at a brisk walk for the
house. I considered running, but figured it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to
leave the drunk girl back here alone, and the situation wasn’t quite urgent
enough to warrant it.
Even
if every instinct had me needing to surge forward, dedicate every muscle and
fiber to getting her back safe.
Bella
had curled up in my arms, still coughing against my chest as she shivered hard.
My body-warmth had been sapped by the sea and her wet clothes rubbing against
my bare chest wouldn’t be helping either, but she had melded herself against me
easily. I tried not to think about that as my heart beat hard just under the
softness of her cheek.
“I’m
Kaylee.”
The
girl beside me - Kaylee - piped up, breath coming short as she tried to balance
while following the pace I was setting. I ignored her, not sure I could trust
the anger boiling just on the edge of a mental partition that was shrinking
with every step we took closer to safety.
“….aaand
you are?”
I
reigned in my irritation with difficulty. Now that we were back on solid
ground, her fear seemed to have been replaced with a bubbling energy I wasn’t
prepared to deal with. Drunk party girls could be fun, sure - but not for this.
“Seth.”
My
grunt didn’t deter her, and she giggled - for what reason, I had no idea. There
was nothing to laugh about here.
“Are
you the new stepbrother?”
I didn’t
bother to answer, even with how carefully she enunciated her words to counter
the effect of the drink, nodding instead to the house.
“Run
on ahead and find her father.”
I was
pretty sure the last thing Bella wanted right now was for her father to see her
like this, but I didn’t really care. Maybe his reaction would convince her to
never,
never
try this again.