“Liam’s,” I say breezily.
Lies. Liam did not put me on his winning boat. I’m supposed to be on the boat with the normal people. The non-sailing, non-competitive, non-Liam-approved people like Robbie. “I’ll look after him, Sir. I promise.”
Sir Whitmore scoffs, his bushy eyebrows rising. “I doubt youresteemedboss would agree to have an inexperienced lad aboard his competitive crew.”
Maximilian’s face falls.
“No! Liam wouldloveto have Max with us,” I insist, my voice a little too loud, a little too eager. “He’s a big believer in mentorship.”
Maximilian eyes me, a hopeful glint in his eye. “I’ll go on your boat,” he says, and he blushes.
Oh lord.
Sir Whitmore looks torn, shooting me an assessing glance. “Skipper Magee is an excellent sailor, as is Liam. He’ll ensure nothing untoward happens to you while you’re aboard, at the very least.”
Sir Whitmore thinks Liam’s a prick, but not a murderer. Too bad Liam might killmefor this stunt.
“Great! We’ll see you on the other side.”
I approach Liam with Max in tow, trying not to drool as he stands beside the yacht holding a crate of water bottles, looking like he just stepped off the cover of “Rugged Sea Daddy Monthly.”
“Give me a sec,” I murmur to Max before turning my attention to Liam. “Morning. Great weather for sailing, right?”
Not that I have a clue.
“The conditions are ideal,” he agrees, surveying the bobbing fleet with a critical eye. “Though the winds are a bit more aggressive than we’d prefer.” He jerks his chin toward the old guy next to him. “Allow me to introduce Skipper Magee—he’ll be captaining my boat today.”
He says the man’s name with a reverence that I’ve never witnessed Liam give anyone before. To my shock, he even flashes the guy a boyish grin, as though they’re old pals.
Skipper Magee grunts what I assume is a greeting, seemingly unfazed by the ashes drifting from his cigarette onto his clothing.
“You’re not the captain then?” I can’t help but smirk at Liam. Not that I know the sailing pecking order. “Does that make you the subordinate for a change?”
“That’s right. I’m just the lowly second mate.” He gives Skipper Magee a friendly slap on the back that shakes more ashes loose onto the skipper’s already stained clothes. The old guy doesn’t even flinch, evidently used to being covered in all sorts of sea debris.
“I never thought I’d see the day you willingly take orders from someone else,” I tease, my voice dripping with mock disbelief. “It must be painful for you.”
“Just because I demand a certain level of respect in the office doesn’t mean I can’t recognize when it’s time to defer to someone else’s expertise,” he counters dryly.
“Well, it’s great you’re in that mindset today. Because there’s been a change of plan.” I nod over to Max, who’s chatting animatedly with a new arrival, looking like an overexcited puppy. “Max and I are hitching a ride on your boat. You can swap out two of your other crew members.”
“What? Who is this kid?”
“Sir Whitmore’s grandson.”
“The kid looks like he can’t wipe his own ass, never mind handle a sailboat,” Liam scoffs, his lip curling in disdain, eyes raking over Max. “Not a chance.”
“It’s his grandson, Liam. He’s coming with us. This is a good opportunity to show your charming side.” I give him my most winning smile, batting my lashes for good measure.
“I don’t need to show my charming side to some privileged rich kid who has no business being out on the water with us,” Liam growls, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “He’s got nothing to do with these negotiations.”
“His grandfather loves him. And his grandfather is the one we’re trying to win over.”
Liam growls again, actuallygrowls, like a feral animal.
“I know you hate losing—”
“I won’t fucking lose.” He exhales harshly, his nostrils flaring as he eyes the grandson.
