Page 71 of Wild Tides
Anya shrugged. “They share some of the same dark web contacts. When Owen was trying to set up operations through this area, he reached out. My parents wanted a local money person. They were worried their original contacts might becompromised. Then, when it all went to shit, they decided something more drastic was necessary.”
“So, what – they thought they’d get away with kidnapping you on their way out of town?” my mom asked.
“To be fair, they would have if you hadn’t all started looking for me so quickly.” Anya smiled at me and Lee. “I can’t thank you enough for coming after me.” She included Rae and Zach. “All of you.”
“I’m still waiting for the part where you exploded his balls for touching you.”
I choked off a laugh. Lee’s shoulders shook. Drew scrubbed a hand across his brow.
“God, Gran. I’m just glad Anya’s safe,” Drew barked.
“That is the important part,” she said. “But please tell me you kicked him in the daddy button.”
Anya giggled, the sound small at first, slowly growing until it erupted into full belly laughter. Some of the tension in the room eased. Rae and I exchanged smiles. Our friend would be fine. Maybe we wouldn’t have taken Gran’s approach to breaking the ice, but it worked. She had a knack for focusing on the important things.
“Never change, Gran. And yes. I saw my shot, and I took it,” Anya said. “He collapsed like I’d cut his strings.”
“Good.” Gran smiled with smug approval at Anya. “That’s my girl. Who else wants champagne to celebrate?”
Hands went up, and Gran left, presumably for the kitchen and glasses. So long as appropriate revenge was achieved, she didn’t care about pesky details like motive.
“I still don’t get what they think they accomplished, scooping you up,” my mom said.
“From what Owen let slip, my family assumed that if they could get me out of the picture, the case against them would fall apart.”
“Did they plan to just keep you?” my dad asked.
Anya wrinkled her nose. “Not exactly. They thought they could have me committed. Make it impossible for me to testify.”
“That’s disgusting.” The way my mom’s face crumpled, I could tell she was trying to fathom how a parent could behave that way. Try to control their own child with threats and coercion.
Drew’s hand squeezed Anya’s, his silent show of support making me smile. Anya deserved the best after everything she’d been through with her family and ex. My brother was that man.
Gran returned, precariously balancing a tray of champagne flutes. Zach jumped up to take the tray from her, passing glasses around.
“What should we toast to?” my dad asked. Gran opened her mouth, and my dad held up his hand. “I refuse to toast to anyone’s gonads.”
“Spoilsport.” Gran sniffed.
Lee shifted, wrapping one arm around me. He raised his glass. “To the family we meet and collect along the way. To the love we have for each other.” His gaze locked with mine, his expression softening. “To Vi for her bravery and heart.” He encompassed the rest of our family, winking at Gran. “And to Anya for seeing an opportunity and taking her shot.”
“Hear, hear!” my mom said.
We leaned in, clinking glasses. My dad was mid-sip when my Gran added, “Those bubbles just burst on my tongue like ruptured testicles.”
Champagne shot out my dad’s nose, his eyes watering as he coughed, and I grinned. At least my family was never dull.
Lee and I mostly passed under the radar during dinner. He relaxed as the meal went on, sneaking a hand onto my knee beneath the table, then sliding it higher. Since he sat on my right, it was difficult to hide any attempt at retaliation. Gran would surely notice and comment if I switched my silverware tofree my right hand for under-table shenanigans. Lee stroked the seam of my jeans, cutting off my air supply on a choke when he slid over my center, pressing. He didn’t even need to linger to put me on edge. I clenched my thighs, trapping his hand.
He tugged gently, but I gripped harder. Lee needed a reminder of who he was up against.
“Dad, Lee and I are talking about moving in together. What do you think about that? Are you okay if I rent my place out for the busy season?” I turned to Drew, keeping my knees tight together. “Or do you want it as a rental for staff at the salt farm?”
My dad arched one brow, staring down Lee. “Murphy, this is news. Do we need to discuss your intentions toward my daughter?”
I grinned innocently. Given where Lee’s hand was, I thought his intentions were pretty damn clear.
Chapter 33 – Lee
