Page 70 of Duty and Desire

I smiled. “It can wait.”

He tightened his arm around me. “Sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Gio kissed my hair. “Then close your eyes, baby.”

I fell asleep, one phrase on repeat in my head.

Everything will be all right.

Chapter Twenty-Three

May 20

Nick

Iwatched as my second booking of the day walked away from the boat, a couple from Wisconsin who’d had their first experience of snorkeling. Their enthusiasm had been delightful, and the woman, Mary, couldn’t stop thanking me as we headed back to the ferry point.

Two down, one to go.

I had an hour before the final customers would arrive, and I toyed with the idea of dashing back to Gio’s place to have my lunch there. Then I dismissed it.

I could wait. Some things were worth waiting for, right?

That didn’t mean I couldn’t send him a message, however.

I got my phone out to take a selfie, and saw several texts and missed calls, all from Franz. I’d had it on silent, as I always did when I was working on the boat. I tapped Call.

“What’s so urgent?”

“Look toyour right.”

I turned, and there he stood on the dock. I blinked at the sight of him.

What on earth…

I disconnected, then climbed out of the boat and went over to him, smirking.

“I turn a blind eye when you wear jeans and a jacket, because you’re obviously comfortable in them, but I’m going to have to draw a line at a suit. You stick out like a sore thumb.” And why a black suit? It made him look like a hitman.

To my surprise, Franz didn’t smile. “Sir…”

I stared at him, his grave expression and formal greeting sending a shiver through me.

Then I saw what sat at his feet. Two suitcases.

Mysuitcases.

My throat seized, and I swallowed hard. “What are you doing with those?”

“Sir, we have to go.”

I gaped at him. “You’ve received orders to take me home? Just like that? Why wasn’t I informed? He can’t do this.” My scalp prickled, and I took a step back, as though that would somehow halt whatever was coming at me, hurtling toward me.

An unstoppable force.

“Sir—”

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