Dante
Alex and I arrive at Thompson Island by boat, greeted at the dock by an entourage of well-armed guards and arrogant men in overpriced suits.
“Welcome, Mr. Hassem. We did not receive your rsvp for this evening,” says a man with a clipboard and an earpiece.
He’s positioned between two heavily armed bodyguards, and he looks over his glasses at Alex, eyebrow raised.
“It was a last-minute decision. I had prior arrangements this evening that fell through, so I said, Why not see what one of these parties is all about?”
The man hums, rechecking the clipboard. “Ah, you’re on the approved list of guests. You may enter Mr. Hassem. Enjoy your evening.”
The gentleman steps aside, the bodyguards following suit. Alex moves first, stepping past them, giving them a nod, and I fall in step behind him. “Okay. The easy part is over with. Now we need to find Luna. The tents up here, just beyond the trees.”
We reach the tents, and I smooth my hand over the Glock that’s secured on my hip, following closely behind Alex as we maneuver our way around the mingling partygoers. I remind myself that she will be here, Luna will not be out of my reach for long.
Alex slows his pace, nodding to an unoccupied corner of the tent. He grabs a champagne flute off a tray a server is carrying on the way over, turning to face the crowd, sipping on his drink. “I haven’t seen her,” I say, looking at Alex, before turning to face the crowd.
“Security is tight. There’s a guard at every exit and entrance. Stick to the plan, it will work, and she’ll be safe.” Alex takes another sip, his eyes scanning the room. “There’s Johnny.”
I follow his gaze, my heart leaping to my throat when my eyes land on her. Luna’s face is gaunt, and she has a dead look in her eyes. Her lip is busted on one side, and her cheek is tinged pink.
“Knock her around a few times, that’ll get her to listen.” Greg’s words at the blackjack table haunt me.
My body moves before I can stop myself. Alex puts a hand on my shoulder, holding me in place. “Do not engage. She’s here, alive, that’s what matters.”
I swallow hard and step back behind Alex.
“Sorry.” I steel myself, but keep my eyes locked on her as they make their way around the room.
Johnny laughs, greeting people, as Luna stands behind him, looking beautiful and broken.
Johnny turns to her and says something, and Luna smiles a soft smile up at him.
Johnny reaches out, tracing his thumb over her bottom lip.
A stab of jealousy cuts through me deep. Does Luna like him? Why is she smiling at him? Stop…I can’t keep doing this. Luna doesn’t belong to me. She doesn’t belong to anyone; she was just trying to survive, until I found her and ruined it.
Luna walks away, Greg following close behind her as she finds a server with the champagne tray.
A man comes up to Alex, and they exchange pleasantries, but I keep my eyes glued to the only thing that matters in this room.
Greg is talking to Luna, and she responds as little as possible.
A dark shadow looms over her as he speaks, growing by the second.
If looks could kill, Greg would be dead the way Luna is looking at him.
Greg turns back to the crowd as a nearby man taps a microphone, calling for order so the auction can begin. I don’t take my eyes off Luna, not for one second, that is, until gunshots ring out, and chaos ensues.