She commands her dog in Greek, telling him to stay, and slips off her T-shirt and shorts. She has on a green bikini underneath.
I shed my clothes too and watch as she turns back to the guys before picking up Oly and heading for the water’s edge. I follow and step in.
Even though it’s almost eighty degrees, the water is cold and almost freezing. I shiver as we move further in. Oly climbs up Harley’s body, squealing from the cold. We finally call it quits when Oly’s lips turn blue and her teeth begin chattering.
I carry Oly as Harley and I walk up the beach to our spot. I don’t realize Harley isn’t beside me until Fezzik stiffens, his body going tight. I turn and see Jerry with a group of guys standing near her.
“No, I’m here with Marnie,” I hear her say as I start walking back to her, after setting Oly in a chair under a thick towel.
“Oh, she can come too,” he responds. He lifts his chin when he sees me.
I shake my head no as he grabs her arm. I don’t know what’s going on, but he must not realize she has guards here who will break his fingers for touching her. Plus, watching him grab her brings back memories of Silas doing the same to me. The ghost of his fingers digging into my skin makes me look down at my arm to make sure he’s not really here.
“Come on. You don’t need to hang out here with your brother’s friends.” He points to the guys.
Okay, so he does realize they’re here. He’s just freaking crazy.
She says something else, but I don’t hear it when movement catches my eye. Aftershock is bearing down on Jerry, who has no clue his life is on thin ice.
I stand there, watching the scene unfold, when Rylan steps up. He immediately lifts Oly into his arms and joins me. We watch and listen as Jerry digs a hole for himself I doubt he’ll get out of.
“Whatever. Come on, Marnie. You want to come? Maybe Harley will babysit so you can have some fun,” Jerry says to me, and I shake my head.
Rylan wraps his arm around me and pulls me in tight to his side, even though I’m trying to pull away. His warm body chases the chill from the water away.
“I want you to leave Harlowe and Marnie alone. No going to the bakery. No bothering them again. You’re done.” Aftershock’s voice deepens, and Jerry just keeps going.
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
Jerry’s friends act like they’re ready to jump in to defend him. They won’t be enough. Rylan, Aftershock, and the rest of the guys will drag them through the sand.
“Yeah, I can. But I’m not the one who’s going to give the order.” Aftershock points to Rylan.
“I will. You see, we don’t like assholes who beat the shit out of women who say no. Bet your friends don’t know that about you.”
I look up at Rylan, then back at Jerry, confused. The guys with Jerry all step back, clearly not wanting to get involved.
“I didn’t do that. I don’t know what you’re talking about. You got the wrong guy,” Jerry says, trying to defend himself.
“Do I?” Rylan asks before signaling his men over.
I watch as they lead him away, Icarus holding him tight by the shoulder. I hear Icarus say something about the woman he attacked is alive and will be testifying against him for assaulting her.
“Now, as for you two ladies.” Rylan tightens his hold around me as I watch them load Jerry into a van and take off.
“I’ve got this one. We are done. You’ve had enough time,” Aftershock says before he throws Harley over his shoulder and heads for her truck.
“Wait! We came with her,” I call after him.
“I got you, babe,” Rylan says and holds up his hand.
Icarus, who came back after Jerry was taken away, tosses his keys to him. The men all pack up our things while I stand there in shock, unsure what is happening.
“But Olympia’s car seat?” I yell before they pull away.
“I already got one for her.” Rylan points to a truck.
I nod, confused, as all our stuff is taken to the truck. Icarus takes Oly from Rylan and buckles her into the new car seat.
