Page 36 of Unchained
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The rocking of the boat woke me around nine in the morning, probably the latest I’d slept since Suzanne’s disappearance. My head ached, and body felt like it had been fucked by the Terminator.
Why veronica had let me sleep so long was beyond me. Since torturing me was at the top of her daily list, I would have thought the boat’s horn would ring promptly at five in the morning.
I planted my feet on the floor and rested my elbows on my knees. Last night had been one of the few nights I couldn’t remember my dreams. It was as if I slept in a dead space in the middle of the universe. On the chair in the corner of the room were a tee and shorts, meaning Veronica or someone else had been in my room while I was sleeping.
Maybe everything would come to an end once we hit Rio. I could meet her friends, fuck a few of them, get the information I need and then head on back to Miami. Yeah, Veronica would not let it be that easy.
I checked the other rooms as I walked the hallway, finding them all empty. Every bed was made, and every room was spotless. Outside, I found Veronica sitting at a table beneath an umbrella. Several covered dishes had steam rolling off their lids.
“Where is everyone?” I asked. I glanced up at the pilot’s seat. Nothing.
“They all left last night with Stephanie.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? You don’t think I can take care of myself against you? I assure you I absolutely can.”
“Why in the hell would you send everyone away? You think you can navigate this monster into port?” I took a seat at the table, the smell of bacon and eggs bringing my weary body to life. “You make all this?”
“I also know how to clean, though you’ll never find me doing that.” She uncovered the dishes and scooped small portions from each, which would explain her killer figure. I mentally shoved my own foot up my own ass for thinking about fucking her. All she had done to me should have had me wanting to kill her.
“Why are we alone?”
Veronica ate several bites before replying. She fucking loved playing with me. “You understand that your life is in my hands despite the fact you can leave anytime you want. Even if you left now and returned to Miami, you have nothing on me. Nothing. In essence, I’ve used and schooled you for the past four days. Do you understand that?”
What the fuck was I going to say? She was entirely right about me not having shit on her. But why tell me? “I concede there’s some strange shit going on.”
“Then, you know, coming after me would be foolish. I have the money and power to knock you to your knees.”
“I hope this is not a pep talk.” I dished out a serving from each container and began eating, taking a moment to drink half the bottle of water sitting on the table.
“My father’s business accidentally fell into your lap.”
That was totally true. A routine traffic stop turned into one of the largest busts in Florida history. Her father had not been driving the car, but the man who had didn’t mind being a snitch. “Okay.”
“I took over my father’s business when he went to prison.”
I put my fork down and took another drink. Sitting back, I rested my hands in my lap. “Why the fuck are you telling me this? I could still have you taken in.”
“You won’t.” She ate another couple of bites, smiling in between, and then got up from the table. I followed her to the back of the boat, where the wind whipped her hair back and forth. Her ass beneath the see-through coverup appeared stunningly delicious. I wanted nothing more than to bend her over and eat both her ass and pussy. I shook the thought from my head and joined her at the rail.
“Because you have information about Suzanne?”
“You didn’t seem to be too worried about Suzanne while you were fucking Stephanie.” She placed her elbows on the rail, sticking her ass out. “You also seem to have a fascination with my ass. You fucked it once, is that not good enough?”
I ignored her comments. “You’re trading the information for a promise from me that the D.A. stays off your ass.” I chuckled. “You know I quit?”
“I do, but I think once you have closure with Suzanne, you’ll return to that very same office, and you will use your power to get me.”
“I could make a promise and go back on it at any time.”
“Yes, you could.” She stared out at the water and continued. “So, here is the deal I’m offering you. I will share what I know of Suzanne’s disappearance, and you will guarantee the D.A.’s office stays off my ass.”
Really? I walked away and returned to the table, needing food to get my energy back. Something told me I would need every bit of it. Veronica joined me.
“You may actually need me more than I need you.” For the first time, I felt like the tide of power had changed. “But I also want something else from you.” When you think you are on top, always ask for more.
