I manage to let out half of an undignified squeal before a strong hand clamps down over my mouth. I start to struggle, kicking my feet and throwing elbows.
I am not dying today!
“Ow, fuck, Jeremy, it’s me! Will you shut up and be still?” I freeze at the sound of Marcus’s voice. He gives me a critical look and slowly removes his hand. “Are you good?”
“I thought I was about to be some serial killer’s bitch!”
“Shhh!” Marcus is so close to my face that I see a bead of sweat drip down his temple. I want to lick it, and the thought makes me shake with laughter as I try not to make noise.
I nod.
He creeps out of the room and over the window and uses one finger to raise the blinds, peeking out to the street. I glance around the room, noting a half-open duffel bag and a mussed blanket on the couch.
Marcus lets out a breath and turns back to me, his eyes glistening.
Is he scared?
“Looks like he left, but we should check the security cameras and wait a few minutes before we leave.”
“Marcus, what’s going on?” I ask quietly. “Have you been living here? Is that why this door is always closed?”
Instead of answering my questions, he pulls me by the wrist and into the dining area. The bay is shrouded in a fuzzy gray wall of marine fog this morning. Marcus drops my hand and paces in front of the large window, scrubbing a hand over his eyes.
“Who was that Ryan guy? He said he’s a family friend.”
Marcus snorts. “He’s my father’s business partner and a pain in my ass.” Marcus stops, giving me a serious look. “What did he say to you?”
“He asked if I worked here and if I knew where you lived. He wanted to be let in . . . Marcus, please tell me what’s going on.”
He stops moving and gives me an uncertain look. “Did you tell him? Where I live, I mean?”
“What?” I scoff. “No.”
He narrows his eyes and steps closer. “Doyou know where I live, Jeremy Hart?” The authority in his voice and his use of my full name send a shiver through my body. I shake my head, and he relaxes a little. “I need to get out of here.” He raises his head, looking back down the hallway where I left my suitcase. “Where are you off to?”
“Business trip to Cannon Beach in Oregon.”
His brown eyes snap to mine, and his gaze is so intense, it makes my heart stutter. “Cannon Beach?”
“Y–yes.”
“What business?”
His commanding tone, as hot as it is, is starting to irritate me because despite what I call him in my head sometimes, he’s not my boss and has no control over me. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but Flash Montgomery agreed to meet with me to help him design his vacation house.”
“Flash who?”
“Flash Montgomery. He’s a movie star.”
Marcus grunts. “Never heard of him.” He gives me a shrewdlook. “Shouldn’t you be hanging out with your family? It’s a holiday.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Shouldn’tyou? From where I’m standing, you literally just hid from your father by lying to his business partner.”
“Yeah, well, my father is a grade-A asshole, and Ryan is a psychopath.”
“Like a legit, diagnosed psycho?”
Marcus barks a laugh. “Fuck if I know.”
