I looked around, and the smell of fresh air was a delight, considering the last time we were out of the car, it had stunk of gasoline. “Sometimes things happen,” I said, pulling out my wallet and the clip of notes. I handed him a couple of hundredas Ezra walked around the back of the car, staring at us. “This is my... boyfriend.” I gestured. “Now, if anyone asks, we weren’t here.”
Arnie grumbled and nodded. “What about your car?”
“I’ll need it parked somewhere discreet. Maybe you could take it to your place,” I said, handing him another couple of notes. “I know it’ll be worth your time.”
He nodded, clicking his tongue. “If anyone asks, you’re a ghost, the pair of you,” he said. “And let me know if you need anything shipped over. I’m guessing this is long term?”
I shrugged, pulling Ezra into a hug as he looked up at me like a lost pup. “It’ll last as long as it lasts,” I said. “And if you see anyone from Sanctum, call me immediately.” I already had Runa as my insider, but this was an extra precaution. “And if you wanna help bring some stuff from the car to the boat, I’ll throw you a little more cash.”
Arnie flexed his muscles. “Absolutely,” he said. “And please, be careful on the wood. There’s varnish setting on parts toward the end.
My boat was inconspicuous. It was a fishing trawler, except it was mostly used for ferrying me to and from my house on the island. It was equipped with underwater sonar, and above-water security measures with an alarm that went directly to me—or Sanctum. I had to be careful of it. It was a nice sturdy boat with an interior cabin, s an older model boat with a patchwork wood aesthetic on the exterior.
Once the light was on in the cabin, Ezra finally stepped down into it and took a look around. “You ever sleep here?” he asked, grabbing the thick blanket on the worn leather chair.
“I have,” I said.
Arnie appeared with the large bag of snacks we’d bought at the gas station, and it was around that point I think Ezra realized we’d be going intohidingof sorts. “The water’s pretty chill right now,” he said, placing the bag on the table. “I reckon you’ll get to the island in a couple of hours.”
“Perfect. You know if anyone’s been by my place?”
He shook his head. “I’ve not seen anyone go to the island in a while.”
Ezra’s head went back and forth like a tennis ball, looking between us as we talked. Arnie left with another hundred bucks in his pocket. “Is it safe?” Ezra finally asked, so softly. “And why did you give him so much money? If they call him in as a witness, they’ll call it a bribe.”
“Sweet little kitten,” I said, with a finger hooked under his chin, I pushed slightly until our lips connected. “That’s not going to happen. I promise you. Nobody is going to bring him into this. We’ll talk about your legal team tomorrow—” And before he could tell me he didn’t have one now, I kissed him to keep him quiet.
10. EZRA
I fell asleep on the boat ride in the dark. I’d tried to stay awake for as long as possible to see everything and ask all the questions. It was cold, so I’d been wrapped in blankets, and Jacques was steering the boat. The gentle hum and chug of the engine was soothing.
“Okay, kitten.” His words dragged me from my light sleep. I looked right up at him, the dull overhanging orange light swaying slightly. “It’s time to get inside.”
I grumbled something, but there wasn’t anything really coming out. I was mostly out of it, even as he guided me out of the boat cabin and onto a dock which was covered in darkness. The squint of my sleepy eyes trying to see only made me sleepier. Jacques’s soft voice told me in whispers to take steps, and I followed it as he wrapped his arm around me—and the blankets I’d seemed to refuse to let go of.
“Wait,” I said, snapping out of my sleepy haze. We were climbing up a set of stairs when I realized what was happening. “Where’s Mr.—”
“I’ve got him,” Jacques said softly, showing me the teddy. “Come on, just a couple more steps.”
Looking up, I saw the house. It wasn’t still mostly darkened with the exception of some light I was now seeing on the steps that lead us up toward it. I briefly remembered him telling me about the place as I was falling asleep. This was his summer vacation spot, away from everything. The knot in my stomach had loosened somewhat, but there was still an anxiety there about how someone I knew had come right to the door of my apartment and tried to shoot me point blank.
“I’ll get you to bed and I’ll bring all our things in,” he said, kissing me on the cheek as we reached the final step.
My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I now had a complete picture of the house. It was two stories tall, a little bit like one of those cottages I’d see inArchitectural Digest, the ones with the glass that reflected moonlight so brightly it could’ve been its own light source.
“This place runs off solar,” he continued. “I installed the panels myself, and I’ve got this huge storage system so I’ve always got reserves.” He went on about the battery type and how they weren’t made for personal use. It was almost like a bedtime story as he walked me through the dark house, telling me he didn’t want to turn the lights on and ruin my sleep. And he was right, because the moment my head lay on the pillow, and my body on that comfy bed—forgetting all about the one I’d been in earlier—I went right to sleep.
***
I’d never in a million years thought I’d be waking up to the smell of breakfast arriving to me in bed. The idea of it ever happening seemed so out of this world that I stared at Jacques standing at the bedroom door with a large tray in hand. He was shirtless, dressed in a pair of short shorts that seemed stretched by his thighs. It was sensory overload—in the best possible way.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice a grumble that shocked even me.
Jacques stared with a big smile. “Don’t look so surprised,” he said. “You were sleeping like a little angel, so I’m bringing breakfast to you.”
Everything was new, and part of me hadn’t really processed everything that had happened yesterday. “Oh. What time is it?” As I turned instinctively to look at the nightstand, Jacques placed the table over my lap.
“It’s ten,” he said. “I know you’re an early bird, but I wasn’t going to wake you.”
