Chapter 4

"Susie! Are you deaf? I told you to meet us in the parking lot! And you've just been standing there like a damn statue, watching us struggle?"

Paul was the first one up the swaying gangplank. His expensive suit had lost its shape after being soaked in muddy water, and his hair was plastered to his forehead.

When he saw me standing dry and neat under the awning, he flew into a rage and swung at my face.

"Smack!"

The sharp sound rang out over the rain, but I wasn't the one who got hit.

Taylor, standing beside me, stepped forward and caught Paul's wrist in his strong hand. With one small twist, he forced Paul to one knee on the deck, his face contorted in pain.

"Ow! My wrist! Let go! Let go of me! Susie, what kind of psycho did you hire? Tell him to let go!"

"Stop it, Taylor. This is my fiancé, Paul. How could you be so rough with him?"

I gave a startled cry for show. Once Taylor let go, I took my time pulling out a tissue and bent down to wipe the mud off Paul's collar.

"I'm so sorry, Paul. Desperate people have been trying to steal boats from the marina, so the security guards are on edge. He thought you were attacking me and reacted without thinking. Your wrist isn't broken, is it?"

"Oh, cut the act! If you'd come to get us when I told you to, I wouldn't be standing here soaking wet!"

Paul clutched his swollen wrist and got up. He glanced at the bulge of Taylor's holster and swallowed his curses.

Just then, Martha, Ethan, and Lily helped one another up onto the deck.

"Oh my God, something black and squishy in the water just bit me. It hurts so much!"

Lily plopped down on the deck and pulled off her ruined Chanel shoes, exposing a small puncture wound on her ankle, oozing dark blood.

She cursed, "Susie, you bring nothing but bad luck! Why'd you have to dock the yacht so far away? If this leaves a scar, you're going to regret it! Now get me a first aid kit and a clean towel!"

Martha shook off the rain and glared at me in disgust.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and show us to the master suite so we can take a hot shower! Is the beef broth ready yet? I'm starving!"

I looked at the familiar ring-shaped bite on Lily's ankle and bit back a smile, putting on a guilty, apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry. Lightning struck earlier and knocked out the power on the second and third decks. There's no electricity up there, and cold air is coming in through the AC vents.

"But I've had the bunk room down in the hold prepared for you. The heat's already on, and there's hot beef broth, roast turkey, and a first aid kit waiting in the storage lockers."

"What? You want us to stay in the hold?"

Ethan scowled and slammed his cane against the deck.

"The hold is for the hired help! Even without electricity, the main suite's still more comfortable than that dump. Take us upstairs right now!"

With that, Ethan started to push his way up the spiral staircase to the second deck.

Ryan stepped into his path, his face cold. He drew the pistol at his waist, racked the slide with a click, and aimed the black muzzle at Ethan's forehead.

The deck fell silent. Only the roar of rain pounding on the canopy remained.

Ethan froze. He went pale and stumbled back two steps on shaking legs.

"Ethan, the security company has taken control of security on the upper decks. Until the electrical system is repaired, they've been authorized to shoot anyone who tries to force their way up."

I sighed and tried to coax them down.

"You're all soaked to the bone. It's nice and warm down in the hold, and there are fresh croissants and hot soup waiting for you. Why don't you head down, change into something dry, and grab a bite? I'll go upstairs and talk to the electrician. Hopefully, I can have the suite ready for you in half an hour. How does that sound?"

Paul glanced at the gun, then seemed to reconsider at the mention of hot soup and a warm place to stay.

He quickly stopped Martha and Lily from making another scene and gave a reluctant nod, trying to maintain what little dignity he had left.

"Fine. If it's that drafty upstairs, we'll stay in the hold for now. At least you've thought of everything.

"But make it quick. I expect to be in the main suite within half an hour. And fire those guards! They need to learn their place!"

"Of course, Ethan. Go on in. Watch your step."

I smiled and pushed open the heavy steel door to the hold for them.

The four of them hurried into the dim stairwell, complaining all the while about how narrow it was.

The moment the last bit of Lily's skirt disappeared behind the door, I stepped back and slammed the steel door shut.

"Beep!"