CHAPTER 64
Was it wrong that her first thought was how easy it would be to get away with killing him? No one would question an injured man not surviving a storm and Kallias could make sure the body ended up in very shark-infested waters.
But quickly she shook the thought away. Violence was never the answer. Never. No matter how deplorable someone was being, and though she might regret saving him already, she could never kill. She felt ashamed that the thought had even crossed her head.
“That’s blackmail,” she said levelly. “That will hardly make me come around to your side nor make me think of you as the man I’m sure you wish to be thought of.”
“No, no, my dear Miss Wains,” he practically cooed.
“No, you misunderstand me. I am merely doing what is best for you. You don’t realize it because you’ve been here all your life, but on this island, surrounded by all this junk”—his eyes looked dismissively at the suit of armor and the books—“this is no place for you to be.”
“And I would say that I should know myself quite better than you who just met me.” She stepped closer to get in his face.
“Go ahead and fire me, Mr. Runington. I have a great record and I’ve saved many men, and the townspeople all know how my father and his before him ran this lighthouse with their lives, how they put their heart and love in it.
Do you not think everyone would question why you’d kick me out, especially after saving you?
And do not consider me so generous as to not tell them.
Because, Mr. Runington, there are other lighthouses and other companies, so even if this lighthouse means the world to me, I would sooner leave it of my own accord than be plucked out to become your doll. ”
He looked stunned, truly stunned.
“Now, go get in the boat, sir, because I have to report your wreck, and that is one hundred percent part of protocol.”
He still looked too stunned to speak but finally he started again, “Miss Wains—”
She put up a hand. “No. If you have any gratitude for me saving your life—as I absolutely did last night—then please cease to give me added troubles. I was arm deep in your blood last night. The least you could do is not trouble me.”
He looked sad. “I really do think I’ve been misunderstood.”
“Please, Mr. Runington, to the boat.”
Head bowed, looking properly rejected, he headed outside. She grabbed a few things—compass, food, blanket, jacket—and started off after him only to hear him exclaim, “My God! There’s a man in the water!”