“Nothing. I just need their help with something.”
She knows enough not to ask any questions. So she nods. “I’ll pass the message along.”
“Thanks, sis.” I stand from the couch. “Now, I’m going to go get packed and tell Hattie that we’re going on a little getaway. Make yourself at home. We’ll be out and ready to go in a bit.”
I’m almost out of the room when my sister says my name. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I give her a small smile to calm her nerves, but I’m not sure I do when it comes to Hattie. “Uncharted territory for me, but I’m keeping my head above water.” I wink and turn back around.
If Sean started that fire, as I highly suspect he did, he’ll get what’s coming to him, as well as anyone who helped him.
I don’t give a shit about the building—that’s what insurance is for. But he almost took the life of the woman I love, and that can’t go unpunished.
41
HATTIE
“When are you going to tell me why we’re here?” I turn away from the railing of the ferry off Lake Michigan and face Bastion sitting behind me.
After I gave him and his sister some time to catch up on their own, he came into the bedroom, telling me to pack because we were going to his home in Lake Michigan on some island. When I asked why, he insisted he’d explain later.
The fire had definitely shaken both of us, and at first, I thought that maybe he just wanted to get away from it all, but I get the sense there’s more than that.
Bastion rises off the bench and cages me, his hands resting on the railing on either side of me. “Can’t a man whisk his woman away on a romantic rendezvous?”
I place my hand on his chest. “He can, but you and I both know it’s more than that.”
He kisses my temple. “We’ll discuss it when we’re alone.”
I frown but nod, seeing I’m going to get nowhere with him right now.
“We’re almost there.” He points back behind me. “Welcome to Avalon Pointe.”
When I spin in his arms, the dock comes into view. Farther off in the distance is a huge, regal-looking building that sits at the top of a hill.
“That’s the main building.” He bends, resting his cheek along mine, pointing at the building that demands to stand out. “It houses the rec center, a restaurant and bar, among other things. You won’t see much of it, though, because I’ll be keeping you in my bed all day, every day.” He pinches my side, and I yelp and laugh.
Once the ferry docks, Bastion links our fingers together, and we walk off. When I question why we’re not getting our bags, he says, “The staff will deliver them.”
He leads me to a deep blue convertible sports car in the parking lot. I have no idea what kind of car it is, but it’s clearly expensive.
“I called to say that I was coming, so the staff brought the car down for me.” He opens the passenger door, and I slip inside.
He pulls out of the parking lot and drives down a single-lane road. It’s hard to focus on one thing because this place has everything—tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, waterslides, pools, and shopping.
“What is this place?”
Bastion glances at me. “Think of it like a resort, only everyone on the island owns their own home on the water. The only way you can set foot on this island is if you live here or work here.”
“So, it’s like a playground for the rich.”
Bast shrugs. “Essentially.”
The fresh air whips through my hair as we drive to wherever Bast’s house is. After a few minutes, he slows and pulls into a long driveway. When the house comes into view, I have to hold back my gasp because it’s gorgeous.
It’s a two-story home with dormers on top and grayed cedar shake for the exterior, reminding me of something you might see on the East Coast. The gardens are immaculately kept, and the sprawling lawn leads down to the water. I’m not sure why we’re on this island, but I’m suddenly happy that we are.
Bast parks the car and comes around to let me out, taking my hand and leading me inside. “Let me give you the grand tour?”
