Chapter 22
The bright sunrise reflects off the ocean as we wait on the beach for the head of the operation, Maximus. No one knows if it’s his real name, or just what he demands to be addressed as. I tend to avoid him at all costs. Unless I’m receiving instruction or handling a delivery, I stay the fuck away.
His thick form swaggers from a copse of palm trees, the shadows concealing his average height until he’s ready for a grand entrance.
We had no idea he was there. That’s the point.
He wants to keep us unnerved, and we are.
All his employees know he could always be watching, hiding in plain sight where none of us would even think to look.
He’s got eyes everywhere. Nothing happens on this island without him knowing.
He was probably informed of our issue with the storm mere minutes after it started, and his divers would have been sent out to retrieve the duffle bags of evidence once it cleared.
His brightly coloured button-up shirt billows in the warm breeze, the parrots printed upon it flapping with all their might to escape the evil they’re wrapped around.
Tousled dirty blond hair hangs over his forehead, as his deep forest eyes gleam with excitement.
He looks nothing more than a tourist taking a stroll in his black swimming trunks and matching sandals.
All traces of the ruthless business man eradicated.
A smile of approval pulls at his mouth, gold canine tooth glinting in the morning sun’s rays, as he crosses the distance to us, flip-flops flicking up sand with every step.
Chelsea’s as empty and lifeless as ever. Resolve has settled deep within her bones—there’s no escape. Brad presses a kiss to her temple, no doubt to fuck with her further, before pushing against her lower back, directing her to walk up and meet her new owner.
A sob cracks through Rose’s seemingly impenetrable wall, but Chelsea doesn’t so much as turn a glance. She’s smart enough to hide all emotions, they’re a weakness. Max will wield Rose’s wellbeing against her the same way Brad did.
“Shhh, pretty girl,” I whisper on a hushed breath, hoping the sound gets drowned out by the now gently lapping water behind us. “I’ll find you. I promise.”
A near imperceptible nod, then she leaves me. Working her bare feet through the warming sand over to Maximus, who leads them back into the shadows of the fronds.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been involved in an exchange.
But this meagre handful of minutes houses the biggest regret of my life.
I should have said something, resisted or fought.
But every outcome would negatively impact us.
We’d all end up dead, or I’d show all the cards in my hand, giving the devil more control over me than ever before.