Page 35 of Surviving Love
With a stunned expression, Luciano got up. “That’s not possible. There must be a mistake.”
Smiling, Shep said, “I can count the votes again if you want, but I assure you, I can read and count to six.”
“But… but…” Luciano swept the tribe with his accusing gaze. “Who voted for me?”
Shep frowned. “You don’t have to answer him, guys. The voting is anonymous for a reason.”
“You sneaky assholes,” Luciano screeched. “How dare you backstab me.”
Rob didn’t say a word; he sat in stunned silence, staring at his cohort. No doubt he felt very vulnerable at the moment, with good reason. I had no idea how Jack had masterminded that upset, but I was relieved Luciano was leaving.
“Now, Luciano, you know very well this is how the game is played.” Shep watched the other man warily. “The tribe has voted you off, fair and square.”
Waving his arms around, Luciano bellowed, “They all lied to my face. That’s bullshit.”
“That’s the game,” Jack growled. “Sorry you weren’t able to get rid of me tonight, but I’ll buy you a drink at the reunion show.”
For whatever reason, Luciano fixed his angry gaze on me. “Mason, did you vote for me too?”
I froze, but when I didn’t speak, an ugly expression settled on his face.
“You little weasel,” he hissed, taking a step toward me.
“Luciano, I know you’re in shock right now, but this is the game.” Shep motioned to two beefy guys hovering on the edge of the set.
They grabbed hold of Luciano’s arms, and he scowled at them.
“Let go of me.” Luciano struggled to free his arms.
“Fred. Steve. How about you escort Luciano to the Bamboo Palace?” Shep said, referring to the resort the crew and members voted off the game stayed at back in Cagayan.
“I won’t go. You can’t do this to me. I refuse to be the first person voted off.” Luciano’s eyes were wild, and he tried kicking the security guys.
“Luciano, come on. Calm down,” Rob called out, standing up. “We got the short end of the stick, but no need to lose your mind.”
“Oh, really?” Luciano yelled. “That’s easy for you to say. You probably backstabbed me too.”
Rob’s face was red. “No I didn’t. We just got outplayed.”
I glanced at the cameras, which were circling Luciano. Had he forgotten this was all being filmed? He was making a colossal fool of himself in front of the world. I knew Shep was probably loving the drama, but Luciano wouldn’t love it when social media tore him to pieces.
“Nobody wants to be voted off the game,” Shep said, giving Luciano a pitying glance. “But I’m afraid the tribe has made it clear they no longer want to play the game with you.”
“That million dollars was mine. I’ve been robbed,” roared Luciano. “You haven’t heard the last of me yet.”
The two security guards half walked, half dragged Luciano toward the pathway that led the booted contestants off the set. I could hear him yelling all the way down the hill and into the trees. The boat ride to Cagayan wasn’t going to be very fun for anyone involved.
Shep widened his eyes and laughed. “Well, that was aDevious Islandfirst.”
“Good Lord,” Lydia said, looking around nervously.
I swallowed hard, still feeling uneasy. I’d seen many a player upset about being voted out of the game, but I’d never seen anyone completely lose their shit like Luciano had just done.
Everyone appeared a bit shell-shocked, and they were muttering to each other. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Jack. I’d thought he was going home tonight, and instead, he’d apparently been pulling strings the entire time. Did he know Harold and I had been talking with Luciano and Rob? Would he come after us now, thinking we were disloyal? I hadn’t voted for Jack, but I also hadn’t warned him what was coming. Or what I thought was coming.
“Okay, everyone, I know that was unsettling, but the vote is final. Luciano is the first member of your tribe voted offDevious Island.” Shep gave one of his trademark charming smiles. “Luciano’s reaction just goes to show that people will say one thing to your face and turn around and do the complete opposite.”
“That’s for sure,” Rob murmured. “These people had me fooled.”
