Chapter 195
Elle’s POV
I stared at the message on my phone, my hands trembling slightly.
My heart hammered against my ribs. Tony was dead because of the money I’d given Grace, and now someone claimed to know where Grace was hiding? The police had been searching for her since the incident, with no leads.
Fuck. Whoever this was knew way too much about my situation. My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I tried to process this. Grace had disappeared after Tony’s death, and the police hadn’t been able to track her down. But this person this stranger – seemed to know exactly where she was.
I couldn’t take it anymore. My fingers flew across the screen: “Where?”
The response came immediately: “Come to the top deck.”
Another message: “Come alone. Don’t let anyone else know.”
Shit. Every instinct screamed that this was a trap, but I couldn’t ignore the possibility that this person actually knew where Grace was. The police had hit
dead ends, but maybe…
I stood up abruptly, startling my friends.
“Where are you going?” Sophia asked, reeling in her line slightly.
“Just… I want to go look at the stars from the top deck,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual. “Clear my head a bit.”
Abigail frowned. “Want company? It’s getting pretty late.”
“No, I’m fine. I just need some air and quiet time to think.”
Sophia’s eyes narrowed with concern. “Elle, are you sure?”
‘I’m pregnant and tired,” I said with forced lightness. “I just want to look at the ocean for a few minutes alone.”
“At least take one of Harper’s assistants with you,” Sophia suggested.
‘I’ll take them to the stairwell,” I compromised. ‘But I want to be alone on the actual deck.”
Sophia nodded reluctantly.
I made my way to the upper decks, my heart pounding with each step. One of Harper’s assistants followed me to the stairwell as promised.
‘Just wait here,” I told him. ‘I’ll be back in a few minutes.‘
The top deck was dimly lit, with only scattered safety lights illuminating the space. But as I stepped onto the deck, I gasped. The area had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale. Fresh flowers were arranged in elegant displays around the perimeter, their sweet scent carried by the ocean breeze. In the center sat a small table set for two, with what looked like a full dinner spread.
“Welcome, Ms. West.”
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Chapter 195
1 spun around to find the Captain, and his face was covered by an ornate mask that looked like something from a Venetian carnival, Despite the mask could see his eyes sharp, intelligent, and strangely familiar.
He approached with confident strides and gave me a formal bow. I’m delighted you accepted my invitation.”
Anger flared in my chest. You fucking set this up,” I said, gesturing at the romantic dinner scene. “This isn’t about Grace at all, is it?”
‘Now, now,‘ he said with a low chuckle. “Such language from such a beautiful woman. Please, sit.”
I crossed my arms, refusing to move. “I came here for information about my grandmother. Where is she?”
All in good time,” he said smoothly. “Won’t you join me for dinner first?”
“I’m not hungry,” I said stiffly. “Just tell me what you know about Grace.”
He pulled out a chair. “Ms. West, have you ever done business before?”
30
I frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“In business, nothing comes for free,” he said, his voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone. “There’s always an exchange. Information for time. Secrets for companionship.” He paused. “The only exception, of course, is when someone gives their heart freely.”
As he spoke, he moved to pour tea into two cups.
“So what do you want in exchange for the information?” I asked.
He slid one of the teacups across the table toward me, and I caught another glimpse of those familiar hands. My heart did a weird flutter.
“Your attention,” he said simply. “Your time. Your lovely company for one meal.”
He looked up at me then, and even through the mask, I could feel the intensity of his gaze. “Ms. West, you’re staring at me quite intently. Have I finally
captured your interest?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. Even with the mask covering most of his face, there was something undeniably attractive about him. The way he carried himself, the confidence in his voice, the predatory grace of his movements – it all reminded me of an Alpha.
‘You’re…” I started, then stopped, flustered.
“Yes?‘ he prompted, amusement clear in his voice.
‘You’re very sure of yourself,” I finished lamely,
He laughed, a rich sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Ms. West, you’ve quite boldly stolen my heart. Are you now going to steal my secrets as well, without offering anything in return?”
This was ridiculous. I was here for information about Grace, not to flirt with some mysterious ship captain.
“What exactly do you want me to do?” I asked, trying to sound businesslike.
“Join me for dinner,‘ he said simply. “One meal. One conversation. In exchange for everything I know about Grace’s current situation.”
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Chapter 195
He gestured to the elaborate spread on
the table.
“This is a trade then?‘ I asked. “One dinner for information about Grace?”
“A trade, he confirmed, pulling out my chair again. “Between a man who has lost his heart and a woman who holds secrets he desperately wants to uncover.
1 sat down, feeling like I was making a deal with the devil.
The food was incredible everything arranged with flowers as a theme. Even the tea was some kind of floral blend that tasted amazing and made my skin feel refreshed.
“Aren’t you curious how my heart was stolen?” he asked after I’d taken a few bites.
I was curious, annoyingly so. But I was also irritated with myself for being drawn into his game.
“I’m eating,” I said, avoiding his question. “Can you tell me what you know now?”
“Such impatience,” he murmured. “Very well.”
He served me a small portion of ice cream, and as I reached for the spoon, my fingers accidentally brushed against his hand. An electric shock ran through me the same feeling I only got when Brad touched me. I jerked my hand back, confused and suddenly breathless.
–
What the hell was that?
Flustered, I focused on eating the ice cream, but I was so rattled that I missed my mouth slightly, getting some on my cheek.
Before I could reach for a napkin, he was there. His gloved hand gently caught my chin, tilting my face toward him.
“Allow me,” he murmured.
And then, before I could react, he leaned forward and licked the ice cream off my cheek, his tongue warm against my skin.
“Mmm,” he said softly in my ear. “Sweet.”
My face exploded with heat. My brain completely short–circuited. I sat frozen, staring at him with wide eyes, unable to form a coherent thought.
“I…” I started, then stopped. What the fuck was I supposed to say to that?
Comments
R Visitor
I’m so pissed reading this, why is she keeping unnecessary secrets from her friends.
7 days ago
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
