Page 12 of The Situation Ship
Ignoring her, Joshua started pulling Poppy to the side. When she didn’t move, his fingers dug in harder. She gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to slap his hand away.
“Unless you want to lose that hand, remove it from Ms Roe.”
Poppy wanted to tell Isaiah she could handle herself, but she was too amused by the stunned expression on Joshua’s sweaty face at his command.
“Who do you think you are? You work for us,” Joshua snapped.
“Mr Eckells assigned me to look after Ms Roe and Mina,” Isaiah said plainly. “I’d like to ask you again to please remove your hand.”
“Don’t lecture me about what I can or can’t do to my girlfriend!” Joshua glared at him, but Isaiah didn’t back down.
Poppy wouldn’t have put it past Joshua to take a swing at him, but instead he let her go. Isaiah looked at her as though to check if she was alright. She couldn’t remember if anyone had ever stood in her corner before; it felt odd. Watching him return to Mina’s side, she smiled softly in acknowledgment and followed Joshua as he stormed off.
“Your girlfriend?” she began. “Laying it on a bit thick, considering you’ve been screwing Gabriella.”
He gaped. “How’d you—?”
“Don’t look so frightened. It’s not like we’re a real couple. You can screw whoever you like. In fact, I was going to talk to you about ending this farce earlier. But, you disappeared after the funeral,” Poppy said, giving him another chance to end it before anyone got hurt.
“I know we aren’t a couple, but we shouldn’t just decide this on a whim. I don’t know what’s got into you. First, this new assistant—” Joshua glared at Mina, still within earshot. “No offence,” he added nastily.
“None taken.” Mina shrugged as Joshua pulled Poppy further away.
“And now a bodyguard we’ve never even met?” He huffed. “Maybe we shouldn’t go. I thought this was a break for the two of us. I didn’t think we’d have so much company. If you want toend this, we can, but I don’t think we should rush into anything. As for Gabriella, she knows our situation, so you don’t have to worry about her going to the press.”
Poppy frowned. “I’m not worried about her going to the press. I’m just trying to give you back your freedom. I don’t understand why you’re so upset about a bodyguard and an assistant when this is how it’s always been.”
Joshua shook his head, but she refused to budge. There was no way he was getting her on the ship alone. No temper tantrum was going to change her plans.
“Sorry to interrupt, but are you going to be departing soon?” TheMidasstaff member in the navy suit smiled impatiently as their bags were boarded on the immaculate white ship.
“Just a minute,” Joshua snapped, and the woman retreated. “I don’t think I can do this. You’ve fired everyone who’s been with you for years and moved out of your aunt’s house, all in a matter of weeks. You’re talking about acting and wanting to end things between us. I feel like I don’t know you anymore.”
Poppy hesitated.If he doesn’t board, then I don’t have to worry about him killing me. AndIdon’t have to worry about killing him.
“If you get on that ship, we’re done. I won’t be there for you anymore,” Joshua said, giving her the out she needed.
“If you don’t, then we’re done,” she countered.
“Just like that? Am I nothing to you?! Fine, have it your way; I’m done being Mr Roe. You have fun with your new friends,” he snapped, backing away from her.
Stung by the way he used Duggery’s words, Poppy looked up and took a deep breath before responding, only to notice that a lot of the guests who had already boarded were watching from their balconies.
“Mr Roe?” She laughed. “You can’t blame me because you feel inferior. You might not believe it, but you’ve benefitted fromour arrangement as much as I have. You resent me for my success while all I have done is support you!”
“You’re impossible to love,” Joshua sighed, turning his back on her. He knew how much that would hurt her. It had been her aunt’s favourite line whenever she stood her ground.
Poppy watched him go, grinding her teeth to stop herself from saying what she knew of his plans.
“Are you okay?” Mina asked, appearing at her side.
“Fine,” she said sharply. “Frightening Joshua off with a detective is much easier than playing the doting girlfriend until he attempts to throw me overboard.”
“For someone with murderous intentions, I expected more of a backbone,” Mina sighed.
“He was just a puppet,” Poppy said quietly.
“Ms Roe, if you’ll be joining us, then I need you to board.” The woman’s patience had worn off. Poppy felt terrible for causing such a scene and delaying their departure.
