Page 62 of Last Ticket to Paradise

Chapter Thirteen

Blood spurted from Bones’ nose, and Georgette broke free from his hold, landing at Mrs. Bonnaire’s feet.

With his fists clenched, Bones turned on Jake, taking a swing that missed by a mile.

Jake threw an uppercut with his left hand and made contact with Bones’ chin. More blood joined the trail coming from his nose.

Bones ducked his head and charged Jake like an angry bull. Jake aimed a kick at Bones’ throat and slammed it home. Bones choked and reeled backward, clutching his neck.

Jake grabbed a handful of Bones’ shirt, but Johnny stepped forward. “That’s enough, Jake. I’ll take care of him.”

“You weren’t doing a very good job of it when I came on the scene.” Jake released Bones, who dropped to the ground on his back. “What’s the matter with you, Johnny? Hasn’t your brother gotten into enough trouble on the island? You want him to add rape to his crimes?”

“C’mon, Jake. He wouldn’t have gone through with it.” Johnny crouched down to look at his brother’s nose, but didn’t help him up.

“Really?” Jake scooped up Georgette’s ripped blouse from the ground and shook it at Johnny, rage coursing through his body. “This right here is sexual assault, and Georgette’s going to town right now to report it.”

“No, I’m not.” Georgette’s voice, cool and clear, cut through the air.

Jake crumpled the blouse in his hand as his gaze darted to Georgette, curled up at Mrs. Bonnaire’s feet, the older woman’s hand patting her hair. “He assaulted you, Georgette, put his hands on you, ripped your clothing.”

“I know, and if he does it again, to me or anyone else, I’ll bring the hammer down on him.” She rose to her feet, squeezing Mrs. Bonnaire’s hand. “I’m okay. Let’s just get out of here. Will you be safe, Mrs. Bonnaire?”

“I’m fine. Jake, take her away.”

Jake rubbed his throbbing knuckles against his thigh and kicked dirt at Bones, still writhing on the ground. “I don’t want to see you at Palumba Falls ever.”

Georgette whispered something to Mrs. Bonnaire and then strolled toward him, her hair disheveled and an angry, red mark on her neck.

Jake’s nostrils flared as his gaze shifted to Bones. His aching hand curled into a fist.

“Let’s go.” Georgette nudged his shoulder and ducked onto the path through the jungle brush.

Flexing his fingers, he followed her. When they had walked several paces from the house, he dangled her ripped blouse over her shoulder. “Do you want to put this back on?”

“I think that would look worse than a bikini top, don’t you?”

“What the hell were you doing out here on your own? I could’ve told you theBonnairebrothers are trouble.”

“You could’ve, but you didn’t. In fact, you didn’t come with me at all.” She flapped her hand at a bug. “We were supposed to go together, but you decided it was more important to make a point and order me to go home.”

Jake ground his teeth together. She’d hidden a fiancé from him, andhewas the bad guy? “I told you to go home...with your fiancé.”

She pulled up next to a tree and shook her head. “You really believe Brice is my fiancé? Do you think I could...give myself to you the way I did if I were thinking about another man? If I were engaged to another man?”

“You’re Jamie Lawson’s sister—anything is possible.”

“That’s a low blow, Jake. You know I’m not my sister.”

“I didn’t think you were until Brice showed up at the resort this morning looking for you. I covered for you, too. Knowing full well you were in my bed, I told the poor guy you were off on a bird-watching excursion.” Jake pushed his hair back from his damp forehead. “And he bought it.”

“Of course, he did. Quick thinking.” She tapped her temple.

“So, you admit it. The poor guy comes down here looking for his fiancée, who just spent the night rolling in the sheets with another man, and you approve of lying to him.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stop calling him apoor guy. He’s anything but. Wewereengaged.”

Jake opened his mouth, and Georgette lunged forward and pressed her fingers against his lips.

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