Page 91 of The Red-Hot Stakes

“It’s a piña colada. Remember?” I managed a smile. “We promised a truce, promised to drink one together on the beach and set aside our differences.”

He didn’t take the drink. His lips pressed together before he let out an exasperated breath. “Gina, that was before.”

“Yeah, well, Avery needs us to get along, especially now. Her wedding is tomorrow. I’m the maid of honor, and you’re the best man. I don’t want to fuck this up more than I already have.” I rested my hand on the arm of his chair, deciding to lay out my plans out. “I’ll leave after the ceremony.”

He froze, frowning.

“It’s for the best. I’m just making things worse.” I sighed, fighting the wave of hurt that came with admitting those words out loud. “So if you can bunk with me for one more night, if we can have a truce until tomorrow afternoon, then I’ll be gone. And you’ll never have to see me again.”

The thought nearly choked me, but I carefully kept my face in the neutral expression I’d perfected.

“Gina…” He was going to argue.

I said softly, “Don’t, Liam. Don’t try to lie to me and say everything is fine, or make me feel better by saying everyone wants me here. I’m smarter than that. I know the only reason I’m here is because of Avery.”

His gaze dropped to the sand, all the confirmation I needed.

“You deserve this vacation,” I continued. “I have work and school and Sally to get back to.” He looked away, a muscle twitching in his jaw, and I knew he was annoyed she’d taken me in. “Please don’t be mad. She needed the extra money, and I needed a room.” I watched him pull his feelings tight inside again as he snatched the drink from me.

He tapped it against mine. “Till tomorrow.”

We both woodenly took a sip, but I didn’t taste any of the sweet drink. It felt like nothing on my tongue. I stood, brushing away the sand that clung to everything. Then I studied him for a long moment, wishing desperately that things could be different. I didn’t know if I’d ever get another like this, so I took it.

“I know you’re probably not ready to hear this. I don’t know if you’ll ever be ready, so I’m going to say it now.” He didn’t move, and my throat was tight as I said quietly, “I didn’t want to hurt you, Liam. And I’m so sorry I did.”

I didn’t wait for a response as all my emotions clawed their way to the surface. I slipped on my sandals and managed to walk away, fighting a losing battle to keep my composure. I barely made it to the main sidewalk, using a clump of palm trees to shield me from my friends.

I threw my pineapple drink at the nearest trunk, watching in satisfaction as it splintered apart. Juice splattered everywhere. Then I collapsed on a nearby bench and covered my face with my hands.

Tears leaked between my fingers, though I tried to keep them in. But it was no use. Anger and hurt and loss welled up in me, spiraling out of control as my barriers crumbled. A deep voice startled me, freezing me mid-sob.

“Hello, Gina. I see you didn’t heed my warning.”

Cold metal pressed against my bare back, and I straightened. “I’m not with Liam, if that’s what you mean.”

“Oh, I know that.” The blackmailer’s voice wasn’t nearly as deep without the synthesizer, but it was just as cold, making the hairs rise on the back of my neck. “But I did tell you the stakes would keep increasing, yet you still came on this trip.” He tsked and dug the barrel of the gun harder into my skin. “See where it got you. A broken heart, and a face full of tears.”

I swallowed, hardly daring to move. My brain raced to remember what I’d learned in all my classes. I glanced at my friends, hoping someone would see me, but the trees stood between us. “What do you want?”

“Stand up, please. We’re going for a walk.”

Hope welled up in me. The resort had security posted at every entrance, and I could make a scene. But he led me to the perimeter, peeling back a bush to reveal a hole in the fence. The metal glistened as if freshly cut.

I should’ve known a guy who managed to get on this island with a gun would find a way around security.

Once we were out of sight of the resort, he stopped to tie my hands in front of me. I was thankful for my athletic sandals as we trekked into the nearby jungle. He guided me up a rocky slope. The steady crash of the surf sounded to my right, so I knew the ocean wasn’t far. After half an hour, he allowed me to sit, shoving a water bottle into my tied hands.

It was the first time I’d gotten a look at him. His eyes were dark, half his face hidden by a bushy black beard, and his mouth pulled down to the left. He was vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

“What are you going to do with me?” I was more annoyed than afraid at this point.

And tired. So tired of being shoved around by this guy I didn’t know, pushed into impossible situations. I just wanted it to be over with. Whatever the outcome.

“You’ll see. We’re halfway there, let’s move.” He took the water bottle back, prodding me to my feet again.

The climb steepened. I stumbled once, smashing one of my toes into a rock. It felt as if my toe was on fire, but the guy shushed my yelp. My feet ached, and my toe throbbed horribly by the time the trail flattened out.

The path opened into a clearing, framed on one side by a sheer rock face with an opening carved into it. Across the clearing, the cliff cut away in a jagged edge to the ocean below. Out in the open, the wind whipped fiercely, making me squint. It blew the low gray clouds across the sky, and in the distance, thunder rumbled.

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