Page 57 of Boss Me

“Luis gave me a keycard”—he waved it in the hand that wasn’t holding a suitcase—“but I didn’t want to surprise you. You okay?”

“I’m fine.” I pushed open the gate and held out my hand for the suitcase.

Mateo had the nerve to look hurt. “No hug for your cousin?”

“No.”

He passed over the suitcase. “You’re not still mad about—”

“No.” Of course I was. Just seeing his handsome face and those Caribbean-blue eyes reminded me of how he used to look dancing with my date every time we went out together.

“What about—”

“No. You stay outside. Call me if you see anyone suspicious.”

“Outside? I can’t even sit on your deck?”

“No.”

“He’s someone special, isn’t he?” Those blue eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

“Yes. Stay away from him.”

“Cooper, I’m not sixteen anymore. I’d never—”

I turned on my heel and hefted Ben’s suitcase toward the house. Hadn’t I said the same thing? I’d never hurt him.

I didn’t trust Mateo, but maybe I could trust myself. I’d protect Ben with every resource available to me on the island. Down to my last breath.

21

BEN

After I emailed my final econ paper to my professor, I sighed and closed my laptop.

I reached for my phone on the coffee table. I couldn’t delay reading Marlee’s texts any longer.

Marlee: Morning, Ben

Marlee: What’s the latest on Cooper?

Marlee: Seriously, what’s going on?

Marlee: Is he OK? When is he coming back? Everyone’s hounding me about it because Weston won’t say.

Marlee: There are rumors, Ben. Employee lists being sent around. I’m worried.

Marlee: STOP IGNORING ME

I winced when I read that. Poor Marlee was holding everything together back at the office while I rested on Cooper’s extremely comfortable sofa.

She was right. I had to ask him when he was going back. It had been immature of me to consider going home without him, or at least finding out the end date to this vacation of his. Work had to be piling up for him. My hurt feelings shouldn’t prevent me from doing my job.

Me: I promise I’ll talk to him today

Besides, employee lists? What was Weston up to?

Past the pillows Cooper had used that morning to elevate my tape-wrapped ankle, through the back windows and the bars of the gate, Mateo’s cigarette flared. He’d talk to me. Unlike Cooper, who’d disappeared. Again.

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