I followed his lead, rounding the hood of the car to stand in front of him. “You know the owner of a private beach? Should I be concerned?”
“Mouse, trust me, the last thing I want to do is go back to jail.”
“Are we going to talk about what happens next with that?”
“There’s no next.”
I jerked back, confused. “What do you mean? You were in jail for a month?—”
“I know where I was, and I’m telling you the truth.”
“Just like that? You don’t have to go to court? You’re not on probation?”
“No.”
I jerked back again. “How is that possible?”
“I know people in low places.”
“Marco?”
“Isla, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you again. It’s the only reason I haven’t confronted Kraven yet. His stunt didn’t cost me my life.”
“And what do you owe Marco for your freedom?”
“He’s grateful I didn’t rat him out. We’re even now.”
“Oh my God!” I excitedly jumped into his arms. “Why have you waited this long to tell me this news? This is amazing!”
He hugged me back.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this until now!”
For the first time in what felt like forever, I was relieved. I relished in that emotion as the fresh air and ocean scent hit my senses in the best possible way. The view was breathtaking, and the colors of the sky matched the hue of the water.
I grabbed my phone from my back pocket and held it up high. He caught on, tugging me close against his chest as I snapped a picture of us.
“I don’t have a bathing suit,” I announced.
“Me neither.”
I smiled at the thought as he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind me, causing me to lean into his embrace. I blinked, and he was throwing me over his shoulder with my ass in his face.
“I think it’s time to go swimming!”
“Julius! Don’t you dare!” I shouted, holding myself up on his back to look at the ocean. “If I go in, you’re coming with me!”
“You do realize I could?—”
“You could what, Isla?” He knew he had the upper hand. With ease, he shifted my body, and my legs naturally wrapped around his waist. “Tell me what you could do?”
I opened my mouth, but his cell phone rang, ruining the moment. He slowly set me back down onto the sand before answering his call. I took the opportunity to compose myself, taking off my clothes but leaving on my bra and panties.
When he turned around, he stumbled back a little.
I posed for him. “What do you think?”
He said one word, and one word only. In a deep, throaty tone, he ordered, “Run.”
