Page 40 of Sail Away
“Fair enough.” She headed down toward her cabin she shared with Milia now that Kim had left the ship, only Darcie didn’t want to go there. She stopped at the crew mess for a quick snack. She pulled open every cabinet three times, and the only thing that was even remotely appealing was the bag of Oreo cookies.
Well, that would go right to her hips.
Who cared? She pulled them from the cabinet and ripped them open just as Milia appeared. “Preston finally went to bed.”
“He was pretty hammered.”
“I bet he sleeps until noon.” Milia pulled out the milk and poured two glasses.
Having girl-bonding time was the last thing Darcie wanted. “Preston might be a nasty drunk, but he bounces back quickly.”
“He and Reid were going at it pretty good after dinner. Something about a girl. Erin?”
“I heard part of it.” Darcie didn’t want to gossip about Reid’s past, or his late girlfriend, with the chief stew. “It’s best to just leave that one alone.”
Holding her phone up, she found the text thread with Jag. “I’m sorry. I need to talk with my brother.”
“No worries. I’ll just take these to our room. See you in a bit.” Milia snagged a few more treats and scurried off down the tight hallway.
Darcie hadn’t been lying when she said she needed to have a chat with her brother, but she just didn’t want to listen to Milia anymore.
Darcie: Why did you visit Reid this morning?
Might as well go right for the jugular—no need to beat around the bush.
Jag: Because my wife told me I should.
Darcie: Really? You’re going to toss Callie under the bus?
Jag: Are you going to yell at a pregnant lady?
Darcie: Tell me what’s really going on. And for the record. I know Preston is coming for him. He told me. I can also see how scared he is. I just don’t know what he’s really afraid of or what he’s really doing about it.
Jag: I don’t either. He just emailed me some information that I’m sharing with Albert and Justin. I’m working on it. I promise you.
Darcie: What do I need to do?
Jag: Just keep an eye out and do your job. Let me do mine.
Darcie: Why do I get the impression that you know more than I do?
Jag: Because I do. And I can’t tell you what I know.
Darcie: Why not?
Jag: Two reasons. One of them is I’m putting myself in a bad spot, so I’m protecting myself. The second reason is I’m protecting you.
Darcie had had enough of texting. She hit the call button.
Jag picked up on the first ring. “I wondered how long that would take.”
“You know how much I hate it when you of all people pull that shit, shielding me from the big bad world. I’m a grown-up. I don’t need my big brother deciding what—”
“I’m safeguarding you from being involved in something illegal.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Jag.” She took a cookie and dunked it into her milk and then stuffed the whole thing into her mouth. The white liquid dribbled down her chin. She chewed and chewed, trying not to choke. “Why would I be breaking the law?”
“We can’t talk about this. You just have to trust me.”
