Page 101 of Sapphire Storm

In the court of public opinion, the former sex worker had facedoff against the once-beloved diva, and the sex worker was winning.

Maybe a contempt for blackmail was universal.

No doubt, they had Rachel to thank.

She’d stayed behind to face the cameras, even going so faras to hold an impromptu press conference in Sapphire Cove’s motor court whilebaffled guests streamed out the doors past her, some wondering aloud on camerawhether they would still be getting free food and drink even though the weddinghad effectively been canceled. In the days that followed, and with the eventemperament of a seasoned politician, Rachel gave interviews on everything fromthe nuances of her asexual identity to the specifics of why she’d personallydecided to defy her mother after years of obedience. “She went too far, and shedid it with someone I care about, someone I hope to always call a friend,” shesaid more than once.

After three days of watery isolation, Donnie’s workobligations could no longer be avoided, and they had no choice but to head backto the mainland.

As they sailed the open sea for the second time that week,Roman in his arms, the ocean winds blowing across them both, Ethan feltconfident he could face whatever was to come. His life felt as upended as whenhe’d left Charleston for New York. With one big and wonderful difference—Roman.This time he wasn’t alone. And he had some money in the bank.

Instead of his usual slip at Shelter Island, Donnie hadtaken the added precaution of renting one at Mission Bay, a little way north.Waiting for them at the dock was a surprise Ethan had arranged for Roman—AndyRosales, who hopped aboard the boat and enfolded Roman in a powerful bear hugthat lifted the guy’s feet off the deck.

A short while later, Ethan made them all lunch as theydrifted just outside the entrance to La Jolla Cove, the glider port and itslittle insect cloud of paragliders within view just to the north. As Ethancooked, Andy shared with Roman everything about the attempts his mom had madeto bring his father back into his life, and then to protect him from the man, which,as Ethan had expected, left Roman crying softly in his arms.

For the next few days, the boat was all theirs duringbusiness hours, so they wiled away the hours filling the forward berth withtheir sweaty passion. Making up for lost time. Then, around day six, thefreedom of the open sea started to feel like a kind of confinement for themboth. Especially Restless Roman—the man who lived to hike and run and bike andfly. Donnie’s reports each day from the studio didn’t include any mentions ofreporters or strange, lurking vehicles. It was time to take a risk. Make someattempt to return to real life.

But this time when they docked, the men walking toward theirslip were a surprise to him and Roman both. Even though they were about an hourand a half south of their place of business, Connor Harcourt and Logan Murdochwere dressed in work attire—dress shirts and blazers bearing the hotel’s goldemblem.

“May we come aboard, Captain?” Connor asked.

Ethan nodded and extended his hand, and a few moments later,the four of them were standing inside the galley kitchen and out of the sun.

“How are things, Mr. Blake?” Connor asked.

“The way they need to be.”

Connor nodded. “Did you have another position lined upbefore you sent me your resignation?”

“Once we’re a bit more settled, I plan to reach out toformer colleagues, past contacts. Explain my situation in light of my publicdisclosures. If their opinion of me has changed, better that I know.”

Connor nodded, then he looked to Logan, who had been lookingmostly at the floor since they’d come aboard. “You involved my fiancé in yourescape plan without involving me. That’s made for an interesting moment in ourengagement.”

“Plausible deniability, babe,” Logan said softly.

“I apologize for that,” Ethan said. “But I figured there wasno way to do what I needed to do unless I had a plan to stop Diana’s securityteam once I started down the aisle.”

“But you didn’t need to,” Connor said. “I heard one of herown defected. Hank, or something. He gave an interview and said he lined upjobs for half the other guys in case she fired them on the spot. And then theyquit anyway.”

“I also involved Chloe and my team so they could take overeverything seamlessly. I trust that’s happened?”

Connor raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sureseamlessisa word I’d use to describe any of this.”

“I understand, but I hope they’re not in trouble. My goalwas to do right by the hotel, given the circumstances.”

Connor nodded and waved Ethan’s concerns away with one hand.“Your team did fine. They’ll be fine. Don’t worry. The hotel’s survived worse.I mean, honestly, it was a great ad for the Dolphin Ballroom. The place lookedamazing in all the footage, and we’ve been getting tons of bookings so…” Connorsmiled, and then an easier silence settled. “Did you think I’d judge you? Isthat why you didn’t come to me? I could have helped you figure out a way toweather it.”

“I appreciate that. But I didn’t need to weather it. Ineeded to set Roman free. My secrecy was her power. My only choice was to takeit away.”

Nodding at the floor, Connor was clearly struggling withwhatever he had to say next. “I was really hoping to drive down today and tellyou I didn’t accept your resignation. But I met with the bank and…”

When Connor looked him in the eyes, Ethan saw the shine oftears in them.

“I couldn’t get you your job back, Ethan.”

“I didn’t want to put you in that position.”

“I tried, though. Boy, did I try.” He swallowed, managing tohold his tears at bay. “But I couldn’t make them see it the way I do.”

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