Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
“Yep.” I keep my expression neutral. “They live on the island.”
“Come on, you have to give me more than that.”
No, I don’t.
I don’t have to give him anything.
Sitting back, I cross my legs and meet him stare for stare.
“Still rebellious, I see.” He grins. “Glad you haven’t lost that fire.”
Oh, my fire burns much, much hotter these days.
What would he do if he knew I killed Monty’s brother in cold blood?
Safe to say, that position at the hospital wouldn’t be mine anymore.
As the afternoon wears on, Rhett and I talk about everything from hospital politics to the rise in missing person cases across Alaska. Each time he mentions a murder, boating accident, or tragic event he saw in the news, I know what he’s doing. He’s hoping it’ll make me open up about my own experience.
Instead, I change the subject back to him.
As he tells me about his last surgery, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, expecting a message from Leo or Kody.
Unknown Number: My love for you is an obsession. Your rejection of me is a compulsion. Somewhere between obsession and compulsion is impulse.
My smile falters as I read the words again. They don’t make sense. It must be a wrong number. Or someone’s playing a sick joke.
Then why am I breaking out in a cold sweat and shaking uncontrollably? I can’t seem to draw enough air.
I look up at Rhett, trying to keep my face blank. He’s still talking about his surgery, his eyes on the harbor, completely unaware of the terror unfolding inside me.
My phone buzzes again.
Unknown Number: Keep Dr. Howell out of this. If you want him to live, you’ll put that cherry-red smile back on your face. This stays between you and me, little girl. Not a peep to anyone.
I freeze, every muscle locked in place, paralyzed by horror.
Little girl.
That’s what Denver called me.
“Everything okay?” Rhett glances at my phone.
“Just Monty checking in.” I swallow past my sandpaper throat. “You were saying?”
“Something’s wrong.” He eyes me too closely.
“I’m sorry. I have a lot on my mind.”
“Talk to me, Frankie.”
“I can’t. I’d rather you distract me. Please. Tell me about the surgery. The massive aneurysm was in the ascending aorta?”
“Yeah.” He scrutinizes me, those intelligent eyes seeing straight through me. “It was dangerously close to rupturing. We had to work fast. One wrong move…”
I tune him out, unable to focus.
Peeking at the security guards beneath the veil of my lashes, I keep my movements subtle. Too subtle. They don’t make eye contact.
I don’t know what to do. Whoever sent the message must be watching me.
My hands tremble as I type a quick message back, demanding the identity of the sender. But before I hit send, another text comes in.
Unknown Number: Who am I? I think you know. We share the same heart of frost and scars.
Panic surges. My mind races. Who the fuck could it be? An ex-boyfriend? Monty? Doyle? Sirena? One of Rurik’s enemies? Someone who knew Denver?
Every creak and rustle amplify around me. Shadows twist and loom, transforming familiar corners of the yacht into menacing hiding spots.
An intruder couldn’t be on the boat. Not without the guards knowing. But dozens of other ships bob around me. Boats with darkened windows and shaded alcoves. Perfect for concealment.
Across the dock, buildings border the shoreline, the sunlight reflecting off their glass panes, making it impossible to see inside. But with a pair of binoculars, someone could see me.
If it’s Monty, he doesn’t need to see. He already knows what I’m doing and who I’m with.
My chest gives a sharp pang.
“You’re freaking out,” Rhett says.
“Nope. I just need to deal with this text. Keep talking. I can listen while typing.”
He continues the graphic recount of his surgery while I quickly send a text to Leo and Kody.
Me: Is Monty on his phone?
Leo: Yes. Why? What’s wrong?
My pulse pounds in my ears as I bite down on my tongue, trying to think of a plausible response without alarming him.
Me: I don’t want him ignoring you.
Leo: We don’t need a babysitter, love. You sure you’re okay?
Me: All good. Just be careful, okay?
Leo: Always
Ice shivers down my spine, raising the hairs on my nape. Did Leo check the yacht for cameras this morning? Is Monty watching me on his phone? Or could someone else have planted cameras here?
A quick scan of the area tells me nothing.
Denver hid cameras in my house, and I never noticed them.
“I had to carefully clamp the aorta and make a precise incision to remove the damaged section.” Rhett drops his head back, exhaling. “Talk about stressful.”
“How did you stay calm through it?” My hands shake, slick with sweat, as I reply to the unknown number.
Me: Tell me who this is.
“It’s all about focus,” he says. “You tune out everything else. The room, the noise, even your own heartbeat. It’s just you and the task at hand.”