Page 34 of Sail Away
“No. You’re not. Can you send me an email or text with some details of what you think is going on? I know people. So does my wife. Just make sure whatever you send me isn’t illegal. If it even skirts the line of breaking or bending any laws, then we’ll have to rethink.”
“Why would you help me after everything that happened between me and your sister?”
“Family is everything to me. My sister has spent the last year more lost than she’s ever been, and that’s because she doesn’t have you. And I saw what her not being in your life has done to you when I saw you in New Orleans. The two of you belong together. I know it and I think you do, too.”
“I don’t know anything right now.” His pulse increased when he saw Darcie out of the corner of his eye, headed up the stairs in his direction. “I’ve got to go. Your sister is about to be in earshot.”
“If you don’t let me help, I’ll clue her in.”
“That’s unfair,” Reid said.
“You bet. Talk soon.”
Reid stuffed his cell into his pocket and took a hefty swig of his whiskey, sucking in one of the ice cubes and crushing it between his teeth.
“Who were you talking to?” She curled her fingers over his biceps and gave his muscle a gentle squeeze. “Did you get news about the person in your office?” she whispered as she peered over the railing.
He should perpetuate the lie. He should keep her in the dark about everything. But when she found out, she’d never want to talk to him again, and that meant he’d have no chance of ever winning her back.
Ever.
“Your brother, Jag.”
“What the fuck? Why?” She took him by the hand and led him down the stairs.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“Shhh.”
He followed her all the way to the bow of the boat where they had conversed earlier.
“It’s safer to talk up here. No one can really hear us unless they are standing in front of the bridge, and we’d see them.” She nodded over her shoulder. “Or walking up the sides, so we just need to keep an eye out.”
“Good to know.” He took another sip, wetting his whistle. “Is Captain Jim in the cockpit?”
“I’m sure he is,” she said, sitting down on the bench. “But I don’t care if he sees us.”
He joined her, not liking that his back was to the bridge. “What do you think he makes of us being up here together?”
“You and I have a long history. I don’t think anyone who knows us would question us having a private conversation. Now, tell me. Why the fuck were you talking to my brother?”
“Maybe we should backtrack to the fact he paid me a visit this morning.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Why would he do that?” She shook her head and picked at her thumbnail.
“Whenever you do that, I want to kiss you, so maybe you shouldn’t.” He reached out and grabbed her hand. “He’s just looking out for his sister. That’s all.”
“I wish my family would stop meddling in my damned life. It’s really starting to piss me off.”
He cupped the back of her neck. “I know it feels and looks that way. And this morning, I’d agree. He shouldn’t have just shown up at my hotel. But I’m in trouble. Big trouble. And he can help. So, I’m sorry. I’ll take what you think is meddling but is really just caring about you because Preston is doing some weird shit. And I have to get to the bottom of it.” His voice trembled, and his pulse raced out of control. He took in a deep, controlled breath, hoping to keep himself from hyperventilating.
The reality of what Jag had told him about the rumors smacked his brain like the rain pelting a tin roof. Preston wasn’t out to push him out of the company.
No. Preston wanted to publicly ruin Reid, forcing him to leave the company with his tail between his legs.
“Okay. Now you’re scaring me,” she said.
“I don’t mean to, but I lied to you earlier about why I needed to have access to the internet without anyone knowing.”
