Page 34 of Surviving Love
“We know,” Luciano mumbled.
Shep continued to move through the group with questions, trying to push buttons and get people to say too much. I waited and waited for the awful moment of truth to arrive, sweat from the humidity beading on my face. Eventually, it was time to vote, and I steeled myself.
I took one last look at Jack. He was staring forward, and I studied his profile. His jaw was strong, his nose aristocratic. He was one of the best-looking men I’d ever laid eyes on. I’d be sad to see him go, if only for the eye-candy factor. No one else on the tribe even came close in the looks department.
He turned his head and caught me watching him, and I quickly looked away. Then it was my turn to get up and vote. I stood, legs shaking, and made my way into the small room at the top of steep steps, where we would cast our votes. I picked up the black marker and stared at the blank parchment paper.
My hand shook as I pressed the tip of the pen to the paper, and my anxiety spiked. I made aJwith the pen and stopped writing. Everything in me said don’t write Jack’s name down, but self-preservation said I had to.
Again, I pressed the felt tip to the paper and blew out a shaky breath. A little rebellious thought came to me as I stood there. Rob and Luciano didn’t reallyneedmy vote to get rid of Jack. Not if they had seven people in their pocket already. What if I just didn’t vote for Jack? He’d still go home, but I wouldn’t feel like shit, knowing I’d had a hand in it. All it took were six votes to oust someone. Shep wouldn’t even need to count all the votes once it got to six. It was entirely possible Rob and Luciano would never even know that I hadn’t voted for Jack until the show was over.
I wiped perspiration from my upper lip, wondering if I was about to make a horrible mistake or if I could maybe get away with not voting for Jack. This was the moment of truth. Was I going to playmygame, or had I come all the way out to the Philippines to play someone else’s game?
Clenching my teeth, I made my decision. My hand shook as I scratched out theJand wrote down Luciano’s name instead. Anxiety ate at me, but it felt like the right thing to do. Maybe I couldn’t save Jack, but I also didn’t have to stab him in the back. I couldn’t say I liked Jack, but I’d made him a promise, and I was honoring my word. I was being truthful to myself.
Once I’d written Luciano’s name down, I looked straight ahead where I knew there was a hidden camera. I whispered, “Jack, I may not have been able to stop the others from sending you home tonight, but at least I kept my promise not to write your name down this week.”
I tucked my vote into the wooden chest and left the small room. My heart pounded as I neared the other players, and I avoided eye contact. I was apprehensive, but also relieved, that I’d stayed true to my word. That meant more to me than whether or not Luciano and Rob liked me.
“Okay, all the votes have been cast. I’ll go get your votes.” Shep strode to the voting room and then returned with the chest. “Once the votes have been read, the person with the most votes will be asked to leave the Fire Council area immediately.”
We all nodded, and I braced myself for what was about to happen next. I didn’t know if Jack would be outwardly upset or if he’d accept his tribe’s decision with grace. I hoped it would be the latter. I didn’t want to have to witness Jack having a meltdown. I didn’t want to lose respect for him.
Shep lifted the lid off the box and grabbed a vote. “First vote is for Jack.”
Beside me, Jack shifted uneasily.
Reaching into the chest, Shep again tugged a piece of paper out of the box. “Second vote is for Jack.”
I winced, and Jack glanced at me. I didn’t meet his gaze. I couldn’t.
Shep again reached into the chest. “Next vote is for Luciano.”
I kept my face blank, praying no one would suspect who I’d voted for. It would probably be fine because any minute, Shep would start counting all the Jack votes.
Shep pulled another paper out. “Another vote for Luciano.”
Rob scowled and whispered something to Luciano.
I assumed those two votes for Luciano were mine and Jack’s. Now the vote would no doubt turn and become all against Jack. I clenched my jaw, preparing myself for Jack’s reaction.
“Another vote for Luciano,” Shep said, reaching in for another slip of parchment right away. “And another for Luciano.”
Luciano looked over his shoulder at Harold and me, his face ruddy with anger. “What did you do?” he hissed.
My face warmed, but I just gave him a blank look. To be honest, I was confused. I wasn’t sure what was happening. I’d expected Jack’s name to be on the last two papers.
Shep again reached into the box. “Another vote for Luciano.”
Looking bewildered, Luciano glared at Rob. “Did you play me?”
Rob shook his head, also appearing disconcerted. “Of course not.”
Shep pulled out another piece of paper and raised his brows. “This is the sixth vote for Luciano. That’s enough—no need to count the rest.”
“What?” Luciano squawked, his eyes wide.
“Second person voted off ofDevious Islandis Luciano. Go ahead and grab your stuff and join me here at the altar.” Shep put the lid on the chest and looked expectantly at Luciano.
