Page 56 of Sail Away
“No. Certain things would have to happen,” Reid said. “And I’m not leaving.”
“Looks like we’re going into business together with Hans, then.”
“No. We’re not,” Reid said. “You need my signature.”
“Remember when I told you to take all the time in the world after Darcie dumped you and you gave me permission to do what I needed without you having to sign every little thing?”
Reid eyed one of the jet skis as it hit a massive wave and rose up at least three feet into the air. His teammate misjudged the way the personal watercraft would land, and it spun to the right, dumping the young man. Reid felt like he’d just crashed and burned. “I might have left you to run things for a while, but you couldn’t pull off a deal like that with Hans, or anyone else, completely behind my back. Which breaks our partnership agreement. Which would dissolve our company. I don’t think you or Hans want that, considering what it would do to your deal.”
“Nope. That would kind of shut things down.” Preston folded his arms. “I brought you on this trip to fuck you over.”
“You don’t say.”
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Give me this deal and we find a way to co-exist. Or you walk. You have until our meeting with Hans tonight to decide.” Preston slapped Reid on the back. “Keep the paperwork, and I emailed you everything ever discussed on the deal to get you up to speed.”
Reid inhaled sharply, catching the mix of fresh sea air and bitter coffee. It soured his stomach. Neither choice was a good option.
“And if I refuse to do either?” Reid asked.
“Then you’ve left me with no choice.” Preston strolled across the deck and snagged the last folder. “I didn’t want to have to resort to this, but I will.”
“What are you talking about? Resort to what?” Reid rolled his neck, cracking it twice.
“Your little girlfriend has broken maritime law, not to mention she’s been in breach of her contract more than once during this charter. This is the proof that Captain Jim has compiled.”
“You’re bluffing.” Reid lunged forward.
Preston yanked his hand back. “I most certainly am not. You don’t give me what I want, her yachting career is over. Not to mention, Jim has to call the Coast Guard because of the illegal drugs she has on board.”
“That’s bullshit. She would never. You’d be framing her.” Reid’s heart hammered in his chest. He didn’t believe that Preston was bluffing. Not one bit. He knew without a doubt that if push came to shove, Preston would cut Darcie up into tiny little pieces and toss her overboard as shark bait.
“And you,” Preston said with a wicked smile, “did you enjoy yourself last night? I bet Darcie is a good little fuck.”
“You mother—”
Milia stepped out onto the aft deck. “Excuse me, but can I take an egg order? Or do you want some pancakes? French toast?”
“Oh, how about you have that chef whip up a little bit of everything,” Preston said. “Sound good, Reid?”
“I’ve got some reading to do.” Reid snatched the files.
“So, you’re going to get on board with Hans?”
“Looks like you’ve left me with no choice.”
Over his fucking dead body would he let Preston get away with any of this.
11
Darcie smiled. “Hey, you.” She glanced around, taking Reid by the hand and tugging him into the corner. She leaned in to steal a quick kiss, but he pushed her away.
“Are you crazy?” His gaze darted everywhere but at her.
“No one is around.”
“Not the point. We can’t do that.” He ran a hand through his thick hair.
“I’m going on break in a little bit. I can sneak into your cabin.” She winked.
