Page 27 of Enslaved

“So? It’s loud in here.”

“I tapped you on the shoulder. Nothing could rip your eyes off him. Now, I understand your sudden interest in me. It was all about him, eh?”

“I’m stupid. So stupid, Andre.” I swallowed the rest of my drink, wallowing in jealousy.

“He doesn’t entertain the crew. Ever. My friend worked on his yacht for three seasons…I asked around about him.”

“Really? Does he bring women onboard?”

“Occasionally. Sometimes he holds meetings, but mostly invites Alex to party.”

“That’s nothing. Last night…,” I shuddered unable to speak of it. I’ve never been a gossip, and I barely know Andre. “Never mind,” I sighed, as the crew bought another round. I took mine with a smile, letting a crew member from another yacht whisk me onto the dance floor. Andre was catching up with his friend.

Sweat covered my skin, I swept my hair off my neck with both hands, swung my hips to the beat, feeling the man’s chuckle against my throat.

But the sound of it felt far away as if he was in a tunnel instead of holding me close.

Too close.

My still half-full cup fell from my grasp.My head felt woozy, my hearing coming in then out. The lights flashing in the disco slowed as if I was watching an old VHS tape with my Dad and he pressed slow motion. I’m a social drinker but what I did tonight was plain stupid. I mixed tequila and Greek drink named Ouzo with a fruity cocktail. Then I did a few rounds of shots with the crew.

The man I was dancing with practically held me up. I felt his hands roaming down my back, to my ass, cupping it hard.

I opened my mouth to tell him to stop, but my tongue was dry cotton. The words were trapped inside my head. I told my arms to shove him off, but they wouldn’t move.

My heart raced, as my brain and body slowed.

Christos.

All I wanted was him.

It was madness. I knew he as the devil, but I trusted him.

Needed him.

I was being dragged, my legs scraping against the floor as the man carried me through the crowd.

“Jessie? Get the fuck off her!” Andre ripped me from the man’s arms. As my mind swam, going under then finding light before plunging back into the dark water, I knew I’d be okay.

But I didn’t want Andre.

I wantedhim.

One second.

That’s all it took for my mind to decide.

Somebody was going to die tonight.

“JESSIE?” I roared, uncaring at the people I shoved out of my way in my haste to get to her.

Andre had her cradled in his arms.

“Give her to me,” I roared. I didn’t wait for him to act, my arms reached out taking her from him.

I clutched her to my chest, looked for the pulse in her throat.

“What happened?” I bit out in Greek.