3

LINDEN

 I’d been staring at the ceiling in my hotel suite for an hour and couldn’t sleep. I wanted to update Moses that I found Estelle Bladwyn, but it was too early to go with the plan. I didn’t want to spook her and Quinn.

I picked up my phone and went through her I*******m account. Still, she hadn’t uploaded anything new except for Star Cosmetics and Star Activewear accounts, which the social media manager handled.

I couldn’t believe her father wanted her to marry for a business alliance. It wasn’t new to me. In fact, my brothers married their wives through arranged marriages. Thankfully, they were all happy. Estelle, on the other hand, was another story. 

Gustav Bladwyn didn’t mention this important part, and so as Moses. Why? I was going to find it out, and the man arranged to Estelle.

She was stunning, though— hot as fuck. She was funny, but I could see the distrust in her eyes, given that her own father had broken her trust. I got it. She didn’t know me. I guessed it was a good idea that she shouldn’t rely on anyone she just met, but at the same time, I didn’t have the luxury of gaining her trust before she could blow my cover.

I dialed Moses’ number. To my surprise, he answered.

“Gabe.”

“Who’s the guy?” I went directly to the point, knowing he was a busy man.

“The guy?” I heard noises in the background.

“Are you at a party?”

“Son, I won’t just answer any call. What guy are you talking about?”

“Do you know the reason why she ran away?”

“Gustav told me that he’s afraid she may lose millions with the new venture she was working on, so he advised her to invest half of her net worth to Connect Technology and E-commerce Company Gustave owned.”

“And you believe him?”

“Not even a bit, but his family secrets and drama are not mine to tell. Why’d you ask?”

“That son of a bitch just lied to you. I was hoping you could tell me who’s the guy she was arranged to be married to save time for my men to look for the mystery guy.”

“I thought so. Gustav and Klayton Weston have been spending a lot of time lately.”

“The sweater guy?”

Moses laughed from the other line. “Yes. Tyrion Weston’s only son.”

“The Yacht builder. Well, shit. No wonder Gustav pushed his only daughter to Weston. That guy is loaded.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, son—”

“Wait.” Stiffly, I furrowed my brows as I was downright curious. “What do you mean?”

“I know that girl since she just hit puberty, but Klayton Weston is not good for her. They would end up in tragedy. Trust me.”

“You didn’t answer my question, boss.”

“Figure it out.”

“I’m lost.” I wasn’t, but I denied the fact that my job just turned personal even for me. What the fuck?

“I have to go. Here’s one thing I can give you advice as my son. You’re thirty. You found a beautiful woman who will probably ask for your help. Help her and see where it goes.”

***

After renting a small yacht, I went to the coffee shop across from the hotel. I bought black coffee and pastries before I went to stroll on the beach. Even if I had an assignment, I made sure to make time to enjoy my stay and maybe ogled a beautiful woman if our paths crossed today before heading to the next island. 

I sipped my coffee and opened the pastry bag. The smell alone was a delight. I picked up one and took a huge bite of a pillowy, flaky pasty. It tasted amazing.

“Hey, cook.”

I stiffened. My hand with the baked good was halfway to my mouth. I turned around and faced the familiar voice that had just called me cook.

Jesus Christ. She was like a goddess of the sea that I forgot the name of. Seeing Estelle in her sleeveless shirt and very short shorts, my brain went black. Her brunette wavy long hair was messy as if it flew by the breeze, but she looked no less than stunning. 

She stopped a few steps before me, and I got to see her up closed. There was a brown patch in her left eye. For others could be a flaw, but I saw it as her best asset.

“Your eyes. They’re stunning.”

“Wow. Good morning, stranger.” She snatched the bag from my hand and peeked inside. She picked up my favorite cannoli, took a big bite, and chewed it faithfully as if it were hers.

“Around the corner?”

“Are you stalking me?”

“In your dreams, Landon.” I knew she did that on purpose and gave back the bag, snatched my coffee, and sipped it. 

I unknowingly licked my lips and didn’t miss her scrutinizing gorgeous eyes.

“We have the same taste. I like black.”

“I thought a girl like you prefers creamy with all those kinds of milk products and artificial sweets.”

“I’m not most girls, Landy.”

“Enough with those names. Can I have my coffee back? I’m sure you can afford to buy the entire coffee shops in Marettimo.”

She took another sip before she gave it to me. “Thanks. If I knew I found you here, I would have taken you to the coffee shop. I like their cannoli.”

“So you were expecting to run into me, huh?”

“Well, I can tell you’re a Yankee, and so do I. I don’t really acquaint myself with others, but you look trustworthy enough to share a table with me at the cafe.”

“Maybe it’s all a part of the plan to gain your trust, and I am a serial killer at large.” My coffee was almost empty. “Can I buy you a coffee?”

“I’m good.”

“I’m actually going to another island. Wanna come with me?”

“I can’t. I just went here for a morning walk.”

“Okay. Enjoy your walk, but meet me at the dock at 9 am if you change your mind.” I walked away before she could tell me she was not going to change her mind.

After I bought some items from the public market, I went to the boat. I was really looking forward to seeing Estelle at the dock. It was quarter to nine, according to my watch, and it looked like I was sailing to another island alone. 

I set up the boat. I was about to loosen the rope when I heard footsteps. I didn’t want to turn around and got disappointed to see it was not her. And she would call my name if it were Estelle. 

I threw the rope to the boat and was about to jump over when she called my name. I thought so. She remembered my name. My heart did a little thumping. 

“Going without me?”

I checked the time before I looked at her. I almost fell on my ass. She was wearing a yellow sundress, sandals, and those oversized tote bags women had these days. “Time is an essence. If you’re a minute late, you won’t find me here.

She rolled her eyes. “Jeez. Loosen up a little, Linden.”

“I’m serious.” I offered my hand to help her into the boat. 

“As a heart attack.” She gripped my hand as she stepped into the boat. I ignored the tingles and the softness of her palm against my large hand. “You could have told me it’s a yacht. I was expecting a fishing boat, maybe. Do you like to go fishing often?”

“Not lately. Work has been hectic.”

“You must earn pretty well from the private military.”

“I rented this, and it’s a small yacht. Don’t act so surprised, Estelle Bladwyn.”

“You looked up for me online?” She pursed her lips before following me inside and dropped her bag on the chair.

“Curiosity, I guess. A beautiful lady alone on the Island of Marettimo? That’s rare.”

“What did you find out so far?” she asked as she joined me. 

The yacht went out toward the sea smoothly. 

“Are you sure you know how this thing works?” She pointed at the buttons and steering wheel.

“Don’t worry. We can call Mayday if we get lost.”

Her reaction was funny, showing me those big blue eyes with her mouth hanging open.

“Just kidding, Estelle.”

“Call me Elle.”

“Estelle is pretty. It means star.”

“Hmm. You didn’t tell me what did you find out.”

“I’ll tell you if you tell me what you are doing on the remote island alone.”

“I’m not alone. I’m with Quinn.”

“Let me guess, not your boyfriend since you came with me alone.”

“He looks out for me. He isn’t exactly fond of the idea of me going with the stranger I just met yesterday, but he can’t stop me either.”

“Your bodyguard.”

“Yup.” She pressed her lips into a thin line.

“Why did you come with me, Estelle?” I faced her this time.

“You’re interesting.”

I pinned my gaze on her and asked, “Do you always come with someone interesting?”

“My question, Linden.”

“My name is Gabe Linden.”

“Gabe short for Gabriel?”

“Yes.”

“So, Gabriel. Tell me what did you find out about me.”

“You have twenty million followers on I*******m. You founded Star Cosmetics and Star Activewear. You became one of the youngest self-made billionaires.”

“Wow.” She didn’t look impressed with my findings. “People look at me as one of those repo kids, and you don’t?”

“Self-made, Estelle.”

“Well, to those people, what they see is I use my Bladwyn money and influence to get what I want.”

“What about you? What do you see in yourself?”

“I worked my ass off day and night seven days a week.”

“And that’s what people didn’t see. They see only a glimpse of your everyday life on social media because they only see the glamorous Estelle.” I slid my gaze over her body. “Why not show them behind the scenes, the real you without those glamours and luxury around you.”

“Thanks.” She swallowed and dropped her gaze.

“Sorry. I was hard on you. As far as I can see, you are more beautiful by just being you. Like how you are with me right now.”

“This is also me.” She gestured to herself. 

“Then be you. Can you swim?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because you and I are gonna swim.”