THIRTEEN
AT brEAKFAST, they were given a speech about the previous night and sent Roman’s apologies. He wouldn’t be joining them that day. Oh, what a terrible shame.
Eye roll.
Spending time with her sister was preferable over even thinking about work… and all that entailed. Sand, the ocean, the glorious sky. There was a lot to be grateful for. Roman’s groupies may not agree, but from her point of view, the reset was appreciated.
The day was spent on the beach. Servers brought out a picnic lunch and she finally got her chance to swim. All very civilized, benign… though the name Roman Lowe came up more than she’d like.
Where was he? Was he sick? Had he left? Would he ever forgive Sway? For what, she didn’t know, but that last one was a popular topic.
The day might’ve passed for good if it hadn’t been for the pervading thoughts about the previous night. Contrary to every other female brain on the island, Roman wasn’t the man taking up space in hers.
She’d sort of managed to shrug off her overthinking until she was in the shower before dinner. Washing and blow drying her hair in the bathroom gave her nothing but time to obsess. She came out of her bathroom in a towel only to discover Alessia laying out dresses on her bed.
Thea’s dresses on Thea’s bed.
“Uh, what are you doing? Picking out my clothes?”
“I’ve worn all my favorite dresses,” Alessia said.
“So you thought you’d pick some of mine?”
The knock on the door turned her around.
Alessia was already scampering across the room. “Lark said she’d bring me some dresses!” she called out, rushing over to answer it.
Turning back around, Thea glanced over the apparel her sister laid out. Why didn’t she put as much thought into her outfit? Literally any of them would do.
“Oh my God,” Alessia exclaimed.
“Alessia, right?”
Thea recognized that voice. Shit.
“Uh huh, oh my God, you know my name?”
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Zane said. “Is your sister around?”
“Oh, God, yeah,” Alessia said. “Yeah, come in.”
Adjusting her towel to ensure it was tucked in tight, Thea couldn’t expect her sister to stand in Zane’s way.
Fuck, she’d had a whole day. Why did she feel so unprepared?
Alessia was laughing as she and Zane approached. “Is it funny to knock on a door you own?”
“Money doesn’t replace manners,” he said, stopping when their eyes met. “Hey, Wanderer.”
“It’s kind of shocking that you’re here,” Alessia said. “Isn’t it shocking that he’s here, Thea? How’s Roman?”
That question broke their stare.
“Oh…” Zane started. “He’s doing fine. I apologize for last night… to both of you. None of you needed to witness that.”
“Is that all you came to say?” Thea asked. “Are you knocking on everyone’s door?”
“No,” he said. “I came to talk to you.”
Alessia side-shuffled toward the deck. “I’ll… go see where Lark is with those dresses.”
Her sister went out into the cooling air and silence settled around them.
“I’m sorry, Thea.”
Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “An apology changes nothing.”
“We were starting something—”
“A relationship should never start on an apology. Not a lasting one anyway,” she said and breathed out. “We started in lies, it never had a chance.”
“I disagree,” he said, coming her way. Thea held up a hand to stall him. “I didn’t intend to lie to you about the money.”
“You think this is about money?” She went to pull the deck door closed. “You endangered my sister’s safety.”
After a silence, she looked at him over her shoulder. That was it? He had nothing?
His frown sure suggested that. “Thea, I would never—”
“Why on Earth would you facilitate your cousin’s addictions? Strand him on an island with dozens of innocent women? Young, impressionable women?”
“Thea—”
“I know he was addicted to pain pills, and it wasn’t alcohol, Alessia told me. But the state of that server… he must have done a number on her. What did she do to deserve that? What if it had been my sister? Maybe next time it will be… I thought… whatever I thought about you…” Whatever she’d felt… “About the man I thought you were… It was a complete lie, a fabrication.”
Zane stalked over. “I would never let Roman hurt anyone… He only got access to the island because he swore the addiction, the bullshit, was history. He was in a residential program for months. We got doctor reports, psychologist opinion. Roman swore all of that was in his past.” He exhaled, taking his time examining her. “Thea…” His hand drifted to her face. “I would never knowingly let anyone hurt you or your family.”
She pushed his hand away. “If that’s true, you should get a plane here now and give everyone a chance to leave.”
He frowned. “Alessia wants to leave? Of course she or any of her companions will be given whatever they need. They’re not prisoners here. My jet is in Hawaii, it can leave within the hour.”
“Your jet,” she muttered. “I’m not sure I’d be comfortable on that.”
“Good,” he said, a smile warming his lips. “Because I didn’t offer to fly you anywhere.”
She crooked a brow. “They’re not prisoners, but I am?”
“Only for as long as it takes to persuade you to forgive me.”
“Zane, it doesn’t matter. We’re done. What matters now is my sister.”
“Your sister will be taken care of. She’ll be given anything she needs. But we have something to work on here.”
“Why does it matter?” she asked. “Go find yourself a woman you haven’t lied to, or one who doesn’t care that your cousin is an abuser.”
“I screwed up,” he said. “I didn’t mean to lie, but it was… When I realized you didn’t know who I was… I liked it. I liked the idea that maybe a woman could fall for the guy I am instead of the dollar signs… I would never deliberately hurt you. I’ve proved that. Proved that I’m not only out for myself or for sex.”
She’d screwed up too, the night she threw herself at him. Zane hadn’t made her grovel after that.
“Okay,” she said and took a big breath. “I’m sorry.”
Startled, he blinked. “What?”
“I was scared and when I get scared, I get mad.” One confession over. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“I don’t—”
“My mom wanted me here, I came because Alessia isn’t what you’d call the most streetwise woman.”
“I know this. You told me this.”
Except he obviously hadn’t been listening. Either that or she just saw this man as a stranger, one who didn’t care for her as she’d thought her Zane did.
“I’m not exactly Miss Streetsmart myself…” Her head rolled. “Which I guess you’ve figured out for yourself. Our parents never beat us, no addiction issues in the family—”
“Thea,” he said, stepping in close. “Why are you talking to me like we’re strangers?”
“Zane,” she exhaled his name. “We were on the beach, drinking, enjoying the stars…”
“Everything was perfect. I enjoy your company, we enjoy each other. Isn’t that obvious by now?”
“My job is to protect my sister. Not to drink and talk with hot billionaires.”
“You have no reason to feel guilty. We didn’t do anything—”
“I’m not interested in your validation. Thank you for coming to apologize, I appreciate your time. I don’t want to be late to dinner with my sister so…” His brow came lower. Wow, couldn’t this guy take a hint? She gestured toward the door. “I’m late, Zane, go.”
“If I tell them not to serve dinner, they won’t serve dinner.”
Geez, where did this arrogant SOB get off?
“So you’d have your guests starve?”
“If it’ll make you talk to me.”
She raised her arms, then dropped them. “There’s nothing to say. My sister and I have enjoyed the island. Is your cousin still here?”
“Roman? Yes.”
And if that just wasn’t the answer to the unasked question.
“Family should be important. That’s why I’ll be taking mine home, as soon as it’s physically possible.”
“Thea—”
“Can you arrange a flight, or do I have to make my own arrangements?”
Though what the hell did that look like? Maybe she could lash some trees together and make a raft.
“Thea, it’s in my power to give you anything you want…” That vehemence didn’t suggest the end of a statement. “But I can’t let you walk away.”
“I’m not your prisoner.”
“Your family is important to me.”
“No,” she said and shook her head. “If that was true, my sister’s life wouldn’t have been endangered last night. One slip, one fall, one stray fist, or a thrown bottle, anything could’ve happened with him so out of control. And you know what…?” Her hand came up to gesture. “You know what’s really scary about what happened last night? The number of endangered women. Women who don’t have their sisters and families looking out for them. Maybe it’s okay because you have all this money and think you can pay off anyone your cousin traumatizes—”
“Thea—”
“Money doesn’t excuse bad behavior. Fame doesn’t negate responsibility. At least not in my opinion.”
“Thea—”
“Some of them will never have been exposed to that kind of behavior. They’re young and adore that man. You gave your cousin a platform to abuse—”
“Thea!” This time he grabbed her arm to haul her against him. “I will never disappoint you again.”
“No, because I’ll never give you a chance.” Her fingers splayed on his chest, pushing yet without strength. “You’re not the man I thought you were.”
“I want to be that man. For you.”
“Zane…” his name was an exhale.
“What?” he asked, his voice low. “Read me the riot act, baby.” The warmth of his caress fizzed from her temple, down through the rest of her all the way to her soul. “Long as you’re talking, you’re with me. Keep talking, baby.”
“I need to be with a man who…” The weakness in her words came with the loosening of her muscles. “Zane…”
“Yeah, baby?” Shit, she had nothing. He stooped lower. “I’m going to fix this.” Her head dropped into the cradle of his hand as it sank into her hair. “I’ll make you so happy, I swear it, baby.”
Until that moment, the moment his lips made contact with hers in that room, her brain believed they’d been getting closer. That their dates meant something, that spending time together could lead to something else.
In that second, everything changed.
This kiss was different. In the past, he’d held back, restrained himself. This man kissing her was strong, confident, determined. And the funny part? She’d believed he was all of those things before the floodgates opened and the truth spilled out.
Finding her sense, she pushed and leaned back. “No.”
“No?”
“I can’t—we can’t—” The glimpse of movement outside betrayed her sister’s approach. “I’m late for dinner with my sister.”
As she tried to move, he tightened his hold, and she sprang back against him. “If you’re leaving the island, I’m coming with you.”
“Don’t say things like that.”
This time she did get free and hurried to open the sliding door for Alessia and Lark, who’d joined her for some reason.
“Oh my God, Mr. Dyce,” Lark said, rushing to him. “It’s an honor to—oh my God.” Without invitation, the young woman threw her arms around him in a hug. Instantly, he held his hands up at each side, like in surrender. “I can’t believe it’s really you.”
“Yes, it’s really me,” he said.
His eyes met hers and she sensed the request. Giving the guy a break, she went over to pick Lark’s arms away to break the embrace.
“How’s Roman?” Lark asked like she hadn’t just violated him. “Will we see him tonight?”
“Unlikely.”
“Not the right answer,” she said, gaining all focus. “If that man is loose on the island—”
“You’ll be safe, I promise you.”
“Yeah, it’s not like he actually hurt us,” Lark said, kind of affronted. “He’s just… passionate.”
“That’s an excuse.”
“He’s a creative. All creative people are dramatic.”
“Dramatic shouldn’t be traumatic.”
“Maybe we could visit him,” Lark said, ignoring her to address Zane. “He might like that.”
Alessia leaped to her friend’s side. “Yeah!”
“No.” And she couldn’t be any clearer. “Mr. Dyce was just leaving; he wouldn’t want us to be late for dinner.”
“He could join us and—”
“No,” she said, firm when her gaze touched his. “He has his own arrangements to make.” Like for their departure. Ideally, their speedy departure. “Thank you for the apology, Mr. Dyce.”
Alessia leaned in. “You know, if you and him were like—”
“Alessia, go pick a dress.”
Her sister huffed but went to the bed with Lark.
“I’m not done with us,” Zane murmured.
“Get the message. Go home. Have someone let us know when the plane will be departing… please.”
And with that, she went to join her sister, giving him no choice but to go. The man didn’t need her or her sister. Maybe he’d call this one a loss, she was chalking it up to experience. Alessia’s safety was her purpose. For a minute, she’d forgotten that. Never again.