Chapter 27
“I think I'm fighting a losing battle, Shepp.” The words barely make it from my lips.
My toes dig into the cool sand of the beach, having kicked off my shoes the moment we found the ocean at the edge of the island. Chilly air engulfs us, swirling around our bodies in the constant wind whipping off the seawater. Sharp shivers roll down my spine, causing goosebumps on my flesh.
But I ignore it all. My mind is too focused on my sister’s news, taking me deep into the depths of denial, rage, and, finally, resignation.
My little sister is sacrificing herself for me. For Shepp. For our freedom from Shadow. Like I’ve done too many times before.
Shepp squeezes my hand three times, holding me tight and pulling me from my drowning thoughts. He's my rock right now. The light on the ocean when I’m amid darkness and bullshit.
“There's nothing I can do to stop her from marrying him, is there?” I swallow hard, staring at the endless ocean and taking in the waves crashing into the sand a few feet away.
Darrell wasn't joking when he said there was no escape. Sure, there are boats docked in a marina that we could steal in the middle of the night and ride out of here in a blaze of glory.
But there are guards everywhere. Even watching us as we freely walk around the island. They have mounted cameras on every corner of this property. Freedom? What a joke here. There's no ounce of that. Not with thousands of Shadow's men lurking around and using the island like their home.
We're truly stuck and fucked.
Shepp shakes his head. ‘No,’ he mouths soundlessly.
“That's what I thought…” my words trail off, taken by the wind and the hopeless black hole opening in my chest.
If I can't protect her, then what good am I?
The sun slowly sinks in the distance. Another day gone. Another one will begin. How many days will we suffer here without a way out?
Shepp's massive hands cup my cheeks, forcing my gaze to his. His eyes remind me of the ocean before us. So full of depth and emotions. It eats away at me, digging deep into my brain. He chips away at me with one look, knowing precisely what has my eyes filling with tears and my fingers curling into fists.
What it's always been. Sunshine. Her safety. Her health. I've always been the one hanging on so tightly.
‘She will be fine,’ he mouths again.
Will she?
“How can you be so sure?” I whisper. “She's fourteen. He's… the mafia. I'm…” I squeeze my eyes shut. A pressure pushes heavily on my chest like a goddamn elephant rests there, breaking my ribs. My heart seems to rip in two. “I feel so helpless again, Shepp. I feel like her life is slipping from me again. Before, I didn't know where she was, but I knew she was being cared for. What about now?” I gasp out breathlessly, heaving. “What if he…”
Shepp covers my mouth with his hand, stopping my words. My eyes fly open, brows furrowing, when he gives me a stern look.
‘She’s not helpless. She's a warrior.’ He gives me a pointed look. ‘ He may be mafia. But he seems okay.’
“Seems okay?” I mutter behind his hand. “He's mafia. That means…” I stop when Shepp sighs, nearly flinching at my words.
Shepp is mafia. Jericho and Arrow, too. They've killed and hurt people and made plans about drugs and money.
‘Are we bad?’ he mouths, watching my fallen expression.
I shake my head immediately, on instinct. That's a loaded question my brain can't compute. Are they bad? Jericho. Arrow. Shepp. They're the absolute worst, but in the best way possible. Sure, they've some shitty things. Hell, they kidnapped me to force my hand.
But they saved me.
“You all saved me.”
Shepp fed me before I knew they existed outside of school, stocking my fridge and ensuring I didn't go hungry because my mother didn't care.
Jericho. He took me, held me captive, and kept me safe as much as he could. He helped me hide my inheritance so my monster couldn't get his hands on it. Well, in his own Jericho way, I guess.
And Arrow. That man took Leighton’s finger for me and knocked out his teeth. All because he touched me.
The three of them have given me so much more than I expected anyone to give me. Sacrificed for me.
‘And he won't save her?’ Shepp mouths.
I lean forward, embracing Shepp. I bury my face in his chest, taking in the scent of his clothes. It's all wrong. Smells nothing like him. Yet, it brings me peace to be surrounded by him.
“What if he's cruel? What if he makes her do things…” I peel my face away, shaking my head.
Shepp's face softens. ‘What if he's what she needs? It's an escape, Little Tempest. Freedom for her to get away from my father. Don't forget what he did to her.’
How could I ever? I remember that night vividly; it haunts me during my darkest moments.
“In the unknown…” At least with my monster, I knew what to expect. But Mikhail? The Russian mafia? I have no clue. “You're so calm about this.”
Shepp sighs. ‘I read people. Well. He seems sincere. Truthful.’
“More like a little shit,” I grumble, earning a soft chuckle.
It's music to my ears, softening me more. I miss the sound of his raspy voice.
I scowl, though. It's not exactly the answer I was hoping for. I want… Well, I'm not exactly sure what I want. It's reassuring on one front that Mikhail seems trustworthy.
But on the other hand? I want Shepp to tell me we will escape before the inevitable happens. Before we're forced to go to Jenni’s wedding. That'll split us all up. Sunshine will go her own way with Mikhail, while Shepp and I go our own way.
Shepp sighs, grabbing my hand as we walk in the sand again. My eyes stray to the horizon, thoughts running wild as the memories of our brunch rush through my mind. Mikhail’s gaze on my sister, watching her every move with love shining in his eyes.
“Maybe he loves her,” I mutter, stalling our feet in the sand. The cool waves lap at our bare feet, grounding me in the moment. “The way he held her like a precious jewel reminded me of…” I lick my lips. Jericho. The way he looked at me with fire in his eyes and promises on his tongue. It's the same between my sister and her little shit of a fiancé.
I can't believe that's even a thought in my head.
It's crazy to think that long ago, I thought I was going to rescue her from the hospital and ride off into the sunset. Running until we couldn't anymore and hole up in a cabin in the woods with new identities.
Now, we're here. In this shit hole of an island, getting married and taking off with a Russian mafia prince.
Shepp smirks and nods. Understanding exactly where my mind went.
Before their time here is up, I'll give him a chance. Sunny has proven herself to me. She can be the hero. For now, at least. But I'll get to the bottom of everything and discover Mikhail’s intentions with her.
“For what this place is, it's beautiful,” I sigh, shaking off all the negative thoughts. Stress permanently lives on my shoulders, weakening me.
One day, I'll have my happily ever after. I have to swim through this bullshit to get to the other side.
Shepp pulls me close, forcing my back to his front. He gently kisses my cheek, humming a soft tune. It eases my mind and helps me forget where we are and who we're here with.
“I love it when you hum,” I murmur, turning in his arms. “Will you teach me to sign?” I search his eyes. I could read books and learn, but there's none here.
Shepp smiles big and nods . ‘Yes.’
Shepp and I sit in the sand as the sun goes down. The number of things on my mind has my shoulders in my ears, but I shake it off. Especially when Shepp gets down to business, teaching me the basics of sign language, starting with the alphabet.
We sit there together until Darrell comes to retrieve us for dinner with Shadow. Then we're escorted back into our room, and the door locks behind us.
“Tomorrow morning, you'll be free again,” Darrell grumbles unhappily. “More clothes will be brought to you tomorrow night, where you'll have dinner and the fights.” He scowls more, obviously hating playing errand boy.
And with a huff, Darrell shuts the door and locks us in.