Marielle fell asleep in Omar’s arms, but next morning, she woke feeling oddly bereft in an empty bed.It took a moment to realize that she’d already grown accustomed to having Omar in the bed next to her.
Not a good development.
He was already dressed, sitting on a chair by the window and lacing up his running shoes.
“Morning,” she murmured, pushing herself up on one elbow.
He glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable.“Morning.I’m going to take a walk while you hit the gym.”
Right.The gym.She nodded, suddenly wide awake.“And then I’ll probably unwind in the sauna.”
“Sounds good.See you at breakfast?”
“It’s a plan.”
He stood, crossed to her side of the bed, and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.For the cameras, she reminded herself.But his lips lingered a beat longer than necessary.“Be careful.”
“You too.”
After he left, she pulled on her workout clothes then made her way to the state-of-the art gym.It had a full wall of mirrors and equipment that looked like it belonged in an elite training facility.Mediterranean sunshine poured in through the skylight.Poppy’s latest album played through hidden speakers.
Hanna was on the treadmill, running hard.Too hard.Her pace was punishing, her breathing ragged, and sweat soaked through her tank top.
Marielle climbed onto the adjacent machine and started at a light jog.“Good morning!”
Hanna jerked her head toward Marielle, startled.For a fraction of a second, something flickered across her face.Hope?Fear?Then it was gone, replaced by her careful smile.
She slowed to a walk.“Good morning, Margaux.I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your workout.You were really going hard there.”
“I like to stay active.It’s my routine.Wring it all out on the treadmill, then collapse in the sauna.”Her laugh was brittle.When she reached for her water bottle, her hands shook slightly.
“I’m the opposite.Oscar practically has to drag me to the gym.”Marielle kept her tone light, conversational.“Although after all the food on this yacht, I might need to make it a habit.”
“The chef is incredible,” Hanna agreed.But her eyes kept flicking upward.
Marielle followed her gaze and saw it.A small camera lens was tucked into the corner where the mirrored wall met the ceiling.She continued her scan of the room as casually as possible.Another camera near the entrance.A third positioned to capture the weights area.
Every angle covered.
“How long have you and Idris been together?”Marielle asked, trying again to start the conversation that had withered and died that first night.
“Not long.”Hanna’s answer was quick, practiced.She increased her walking speed slightly.“Just a few months.”
“It’s wonderful that you can travel together like this.Oscar and I feel so lucky to have met you all.”
“Yes.Wonderful.”Hanna’s voice was flat.She glanced at the camera again, then back at Marielle.“I should finish my workout.I don’t want to fall behind on my routine.”
“Of course!Maybe we could grab lunch later—Just us girls?”
“Maybe.I’ll have to check with Idris.”
The way she said it—like she needed permission—made Marielle’s stomach clench.
But she bumped up the speed on her treadmill and feigned interest in sweating on purpose while she counted down the minutes until Hanna finally finished running, wiped down her machine, and left for the sauna, giving Marielle a friendly wave as she walked out.
Marielle counted to twenty then turned off the blasted treadmill.She drank a tall tumbler of cold water and waited for her pulse to slow.
