“I’m going home,” I declared, taking off his clothes and putting on my dress.
“Vera, please...” Alistair’s voice faltered, and his eyes were wounded.
“You need to get your priorities straight,” I snapped as I unlocked my phone. “I’m ordering a cab.”
Right then, a crack of lightning blinded the sky, followed by the deafening sound of thunder. Watching the rain blur the cold glass window, I felt an uneasy sensation. I needed to leave. The game was over.
ONBOARD ARTEMIS
Vera
My phone buzzed for the fourth time that morning. Alistair’s name lit up the screen again. His last message hovered
Come on, sweetheart. One drink. You can yell at me in person if you want.
I’d ignored the rest.
Miss me yet? Still alive?
You ghosting me for good, or just keeping me hungry?
Each one made me smile, roll my eyes, and stare a little too long before locking the phone again.
But here I was anyway, perched in a deck chair on his yacht, the sea glittering all around us, the kind of blue that made the world feel surreal. The air smelled like salt, sunscreen, and money. I told myself I was only here for the ocean.
Alistair leaned back, sunglasses catching the sun. “Glad you joined me on my boat today,” he said, like he knew he’d worn me down.
“You’ve got some nerve, calling my boss just to track me down.” I leveled him with a stare. “He handed me his phone and stood there, waiting like I owed him an explanation. He reminded me you were a ‘good friend’ and a valuable client, so I shouldn’t piss you off.”
Alistair removed his gold-framed Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses and set them on the table, finally letting me see his green eyes. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. That wasn’t my intention.”
I arched a brow. “You think calling my boss was subtle?”
He almost smiled but caught himself. “You weren’t answering. I had to get through somehow.”
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. “So you put me on the spot in front of half the office? Classy move.”
His jaw flexed. “I needed a chance to talk to you, Vera.”
“Well, here I am. Only because Brenton ordered me onto your damn boat. He’d have skinned me alive if I said no.”
He let out a breath. “I know. And I hate that it came to this, but I need you to hear me out.”
I fixed him with a look. “Then talk. After this, I owe you nothing. Tell me, what’s going on between my brother and your ex-wife?”
Alistair’s lips curled into a playful smile. “You know, you’re the first lawyer I’ve ever slept with.”
I didn’t blink. “You planning to plead the Fifth, or answer my question?
“Always straight to cross-examination with you. God, I love a woman who doesn’t let up.”
“And I love a real man, but I haven’t found him yet. Cut the bullshit and be honest.”
His eyes softened. He reached for my hand, and for once, he didn’t try to charm his way out. “Alright. I’ll be straight with you about my ex-wife.”
“Go on.”
He let out a breath. “I’m spending more time with my son now. Saira and I are locked in a custody fight. Doesn’t matter what she’s done. Her lawyers are good at spinning a story, making her look like the perfect mother. She’s got connections everywhere. Even the police.”
