“What the fuck… can’t dump Aila in a foreign country.Gotta speak to Monty… set him straight…”
“Hunter.Sit down.You’re shit-faced.”
I sit down, but I’m finally paying attention.
“That actually brings us around to our next point of business.”Shadow bulldozes on.“Monty contacted Vince on the radio last night.One of our guests had a slight change of plans.When Monty found out about it, he called ahead.Luna, you go on and tell the Riders about it.”
Looking all business, Luna looks down at her notes.
“Right.We booked a family.Mom and her boyfriend, and two kids.But the mother arrived at Long Point with a change of plans.Turns out she dumped the old boyfriend and hooked up with a new one.But she still wants to come play happy family on Landslide this summer.I didn’t have time to research the new boyfriend much, but he’s got no ties to any of the agencies we have flagged.I think he might be unemployed, because all he seems to do on his social media is pose and play.So I said it was okay.”
“All in favor, say ‘aye.’”Shadow lifts his hand.Grumbling, Rundas raises his hand briefly, saying, “Aye, but next time, run it by us.Her ‘family friendly’ online review of the island isn’t going to be worth much if she’s associated with unemployed playboy jerks.”
Jaecar and Artim start moving their hands up, but I’m not even waiting for them.
“Fuck this.I’m not voting for anything until I find out if Aila is okay with fucking sailing away to Minnesota!”
As I slam the door, I hear Shadow murmuring.
“I told you he couldn’t stay away from her.I win the bet.”
Aila
“What did Mom tell you?”
Ben shakes his head.“She’s not proud of it, Aila, but she was a different person back then.”
“Back when?”It’s costing me every last ounce of willpower not to pop off into a tantrum.
“Back in Winnipeg.That’s why your mom was so desperate to leave there.You see, your mom made a terrible mistake.”
If my dear mother wasn’t referring to Theron when she gave her speech in the dining room—the one about me not getting too complacent and how the man would come after me—then there is only one other person who fits that description…
Digging my nails into the palm of my hand, I do my best to stay calm.
Because there is no way my mom would ever compromise my safety.
She always makes sure to keep photos of me off her socials, and nor does she tag me in anything.Heck, she doesn’t even allow apps to gain access to her contacts information because my phone number is in there.
Over the years, we’ve learned to be careful.
I leave all the catfish sleuthing to my mom.She is hardnosed when it comes to sussing out if someone’s real or not, dropping their online pics into Google image search and everything.
“If my mom accidentally let it slip that we were in Winnipeg, Ben, then it’s probably for the best that I’m heading to the States.”
“Dang it!”Pulling over to the side of the road within sight of the jetty, Ben Magoo bumps the palm of his hand on the steering wheel.“I’m no good at this kind of thing.”
Cutting the engine and twisting in the seat to angle himself in my direction, Ben heaves a sigh.
“A man contacted your mother on one of those dating apps.All of his details checked out: Canadian and wealthy, with his name on the company head he said he worked for.Legit, okay?”
A wry smile tilts the corners of my lips.“I’m sensing there is a ‘but’ coming.”
Ben tries to smile, but it fades before it can widen.
“On the first date, Amelia really opened up to him in her usual feisty fashion, you know.Telling him all about her work at the diner and her precious daughter.And then she let it drop that the two of you were still living together.”
I’m not seeing the danger in this.
