There was no ‘right choice’. But if I stopped, maybe I could prevent more agony in the future.
That was my deepest worry. Would I ever be able to really stop when all I wanted was more?
Dom
Iwas sprinting at full speed as I got to the main deck of the boat. I'd practically thrown myself down the stairs, ripping open the door to stumble out onto the faux wooden floor.
I was determined to make that my last time, but how the fuck was I meant to pull back when he called my fucking name?
Shit, it wasn't even far to the room, but it felt like the longest journey of my life.
All I had to do was stride past the drunk and horny guests and get myself to the doors that led to the rooms. Then down that tight fucking corridor and into heaven.
I spied an unopened bottle of champagne sitting on a table and swiped it as I shot past. The people behind it were too busy licking each other’s tonsils to know I'd stolen it.
Fast, but not too fast. Determined, while exuding an air of ‘nothing to see here’ as I walked down the main deck.
Absolutely unassuming, my hand clenched hard around the bottle, possibly preparing to beat back any drunk fucker that slowed me down.
“Dominic?” The voice echoed from my right, and I stifled my groan of frustration. Instead, I spun on one foot to meet Mallory Fischer's suspicious gaze.
It was time for my party face.
“Oh, Mallory, thank God!” I said, trying to act like I wasn't casually on my way to fuck her very engaged son. “I was hoping to run into you.” I needed to find some way to get her away from the lower deck.
“Have you seen Harry?” she asked. “I don't know why he thinks he can be Director of The Foundation when he left the party so early. Really.” She tutted. “I was planning to visit his room. It's the one place I haven't checked.”
The panic that bolted through me almost made me choke, and I let out an awkward laugh.
“You're looking rather flushed. Is something wrong?” she asked as she raised a penciled eyebrow, a disapproving look dancing across her lips as she saw my dishevelled state. But that was the least of my worries.
“Lord Hastings is up to his tricks again. I just heard one of the waiters saying he's been making the girls' offers.”
Which was completely untrue, but with the stifled environment Mallory had forced on them with all of her ‘rules’, it was pretty common for people like Hastings to hit on the staff, just like his grandson.
“Then do you have any idea where Hastings is?”
“I'm surprised you don't. I thought you normally kept tabs on everyone.”
Which was why it was so hard to keep Harry safe when she wasn't distracted.
Her lips thinned in displeasure, and she sighed, shaking her head. “He really couldn't behave himself for even one night, could he?”
“Why don't you go find Lord Hastings and I'll check on Harry?”
I shrugged, ignoring my urge to glance at the door leading down to the bedrooms. If I showed even a hint of interest in that direction she might pick up on it.
“Bring him here when you find him. I need to talk to him,” she ordered.
I nearly swore as she clicked her tongue and walked off. If I didn't report back that I couldn't find him, she'd go to his room and find us fucking instead. She had the master key to all the suites, and she would let herself in if Harry didn't answer her promptly.
Which meant I needed to keep an eye on Mallory to make sure she didn't go anywhere near it.
My phone buzzed by my hip, and I let myself savour the sweet moment of shame before I extracted it
Molly, are you there?
What's happening? Is everything okay?
