Chapter 32
thirty-two
SADIE
“Well tonight seems to have taken a turn,” Eden says, biting down a smile as she lifts her glass of champagne to one of the two enormous men who have taken up their stations next to our table. “I don’t know whether I should feel safe or scared of them.”
“They look like Kevin Costner on steroids,” I point out, shaking my head because I’d heard about Asher’s obsession with security, but this is the first time I’ve seen it play out before my eyes.
“Well they can carry me away from danger any time,” Romy says, fluttering her eyelashes at the one on her left.
She joined us right after Asher headed for the office to join Zach and whoever else was in there.
God only knows what they’re talking about, but it can’t be as interesting as watching the security guards stand so still I’m not sure if they’re breathing.
“Honestly, this is so over the top,” Francie says. “Even for Asher. I swear he has more guards on this island than regular people. I hate to think what it’s all costing.” She sighs. “God only knows what he’ll be like when the baby gets here.”
“Wait. What?” Skyler’s mouth drops open. As does everybody else’s around the table. We’re all silent for a moment as we take in Francie’s words.
“Oh my God, are you pregnant?” Eden asks, her face lighting up with excitement.
Francie puts her hand over her mouth, her eyes so wide they look like dinner plates. “Oh shit, did I just say that?”
“You really did,” I say, grinning. I’m stupidly happy for her. And that explains all the guards.
Skyler tips her head to the side as she points at Francie’s champagne flute. “I hate to be the buzzkill, but should you be drinking that?”
“This?” Francie takes a huge gulp, making Eden’s mouth drop. “It’s alcohol free. Asher brought a bottle for me. And speaking of Asher, please don’t tell him I said anything. We agreed to keep it a secret until next month.”
“Our lips are sealed,” Skyler says, crossing her heart. “But if you think Asher’s overprotective now, wait until that baby starts kicking. He’ll probably wrap you in bubble wrap and tie you to the bed.” She wriggles her eyebrows at the last one.
“Do not give him ideas,” Francie mutters. “He’ll find a way to put a security camera in my womb if he could.”
“Welp,” I say, wrinkling my nose. “That doesn’t sound pleasant.”
“Right?” Francie says. But there’s a sparkle in her eye she always gets when she talks about him.
“But on the topic of Fitzgerald men,” Romy says, leaning forward, her chin propped on her hand. “You guys have been hiding Wyatt under a rock.”
Eden wrinkles her nose. “That’s because he always stinks of fish.”
Skyler giggles. “He does not. He wears Sauvage. We buy it for him every Christmas.”
“He also only replies in emojis,” Eden says to Romy, rolling her eyes. “The man has no ability to converse in long form.”
“A nice change from his brothers,” Skyler says. “Hudson never shuts up.”
“Nor does Asher.” Francie sighs. She looks at me. “How about Zach? Does he talk constantly?”
I blink, because the man’s a doer not a talker. And he’s mostly been doing me. “I ah…”
Thankfully the question coincides with the orchestra taking a break. They’re replaced by a DJ who starts playing a banging rock song that was huge this summer. There’s a rush of sequins and glitter as guests head to the floor to dance.
Zach and Wyatt appear in the doorway, and I let out a soft breath as his eyes land on me. A familiar clench pulls deep in my belly.
“Oh my heart,” Romy murmurs as she looks over at them. “Get me a man who looks at me like he wants to pick me up and throw me over his shoulder.”
I don’t answer. I’m too busy watching as Zach crosses the room with long, purposeful strides, never breaking eye contact. Every cell in my body tightens in anticipation. By the time he reaches our table, I’m already flushed all over.
“You okay?” he asks, his voice pitched low, meant for me alone. He reaches out, like he can’t bear not to touch me, and runs his fingers over my cheek.
I swallow hard. How can one little touch make me feel like I’m on fire? “I’m fine.” I tip my head to the side, looking up at him. “Are you?” I ask, wondering what he had to go to the office about.
For a second he says nothing. Just holds my face in his warm palms. “Can we talk?”
“Now?” I ask, ignoring the way his tone makes my stomach tighten.
“You’re gonna have to get past the security guys,” Romy warns him. Then she tips her head at Wyatt and smiles. He looks back at her, his face impassive, though I notice his gaze dips to her lips.
Zach’s hand tightens around mine. “Yeah, now. Let’s go,” he murmurs.
The table erupts into conversation, as Zach leads me over to the corner of the room. The music is quieter here, and the only interruption is the low hum of voices drifting from the dance floor. Zach pulls me close, his hands wrapping around my waist as he lowers his face to my hair and breathes in.
“What is it?” I ask him. “What happened in the office? Are you sure you’re okay?”
Zach takes another deep breath. “Darien has been spotted.”
I’m not going to lie, just hearing my ex’s name makes my stomach drop.
“Where?” I ask. “Is he in the halfway house?”
“No.” He clears his throat. “Asher’s been trying to find him for days. His team finally tracked him down to the mainland.”
I know ‘the mainland’ means the other side of the ocean in Liberty-speak.
“That close?” I ask, trying to keep breathing. It’s okay, he can’t hurt me. This place is surrounded after all.
But there’s only one reason he’d want to come this far east and that’s because of me.
“Yeah. They saw him near the ferry port. Apparently he’s been asking about sailing times. Asher’s annoyed with himself for letting him get this close without spotting him sooner.”
I reach up, sliding my fingers through his soft hair. “That’s crazy. It’s not his fault.” I frown. “Do they think he might come here? To the island?”
Zach’s jaw clenches. “Asher thinks so. We’re pretty sure with all the guards around he won’t try anything tonight, but tomorrow we’re doing a full sweep of the island. Don’t worry, we’ll find him.”
I swallow hard, my stomach turning. “He’s such a damn idiot.” I hate this. I hate that it’s interrupting what’s been a perfect night. That my bad decisions won’t stay in the past. But most of all I hate that Zach’s looking at me like he cares about me.
Because if tonight is ruined because of Darien, it’ll be my fault.
“Yeah, well idiot or not, he’s not coming near you. I promise you that.”
The way he says it, so intently, so softly, makes me feel things I know I shouldn’t. “So what do we do now?” I ask.
“Well, for tonight I’m your personal bodyguard.” He smiles. “You stay with me until it’s safe, then in the morning, we’ll let Asher do his thing.”
“And are you going to follow me everywhere?” I tease. “Because I need to use the bathroom. And I’m not sure the ladies will appreciate you following me. Not even when you look so pretty in your suit.”
He smiles, like he enjoys me calling him pretty. “You can go to the bathroom in my apartment. That way I can stand outside and annoy you,” he tells me.
“You’re going to listen to me pee?” I shake my head. “God, you’re a deviant.”
This time he laughs, and it’s such a good sound. I want to pack it up and keep it with me always.
He takes my hand and we walk out of the ballroom. I don’t bother saying goodbye to the girls because we’ll be back in a moment. Though from the way Zach is marching me to his apartment maybe he has other thoughts about that.
I mean, I wouldn’t be averse to fooling around with this man for a while. Not one little bit.
We reach the private staff only corridor, passing the door to the office where Zach was only a few minutes ago. “Is Asher still in there planning Darien’s demise?” I ask lightly.
He shakes his head. “He went to talk to his team. Then I’m pretty sure he’ll be Francie’s shadow all night.”
I tip my head at him. “Wanna know what she just told us at the table?”
He blinks. “I’m pretty sure it’s what Asher told me a few weeks ago. And then let slip in his office.”
I start to laugh, because they’ve both spilled their secret and neither one knows about it. “He told you she’s pregnant?”
“Yep.” He nods his head. “And Asher made us promise not to tell Francie we know.”
“Francie made us promise not to tell Asher,” I say, biting my lip because this is way too funny.
“Welcome to the Fitzgerald family,” Zach murmurs. “This is just the tip of the iceberg.”
He pulls his key out. “So… shall we stay here for a bit when you’re done?” he asks casually.
This time I really do laugh. Sometimes this man is completely predictable. But I like it.
“Why would we do that when there’s a party outside?” I ask, tipping my head to the side. And yes, I’m teasing him, but god I like it when he’s like this.
He slides his free hand around my waist, pulling me against him. My dress rustles against his thigh. “Because I need to show you how much I like you in this dress. By taking it off you.”
He kisses my neck and I feel it down to the tips of my toes. Then I remember I need to use the bathroom again. “Hold that thought,” I tell him. “For about three minutes.”
“I’ll try.” He opens the door with one hand, pulling me in with the other. I stumble in my heels and he rights me, because that’s just what he does. “But be quick, okay?”
He reaches for the lights, but there’s a click and nothing else.
Then he does it again. “What the hell?” he says. And I know he didn’t switch off the electric this time.
Before I can even process that the power is not working, there’s a sickening thud. Followed by a groan. Zach’s groan. Then his hand slips from my waist and the floor shakes.
From a body falling onto it.
“Oh my God,” I scream, right as a thick piece of fabric is pressed against my mouth and nose.
And then everything goes black.