Page 41 of Indiscreet

His expression turned blank. “This cruise is pleasure and pain. You shared your limit is pain.”

I bristled immediately, catching on to his intention. He wanted to use me for sex. “You’re offering the return of what’s mine as long as I pretend to be your whore? I won’t do it.”

“And I won’t be with you without your consent,” he said with a sigh. “That leaves us with a problem. This pleasure cruise is where we test our new buys before what they are calling ‘the trade show’ mixer in San Francisco.”

My lips parted. “Trade show?”

“I’m guessing it has to do with changing partners,” Dane said. “Our host is keeping the details secret for now. As far as he knows, you are my chosen partner. They have all seen me with women and know how I am with them. Anything out of the ordinary will stand out and risk us all.”

I covered my mouth with my hands. I didn’t know what to do. I wasn’t a child; I could handle going along with the game, and even sex if it meant I could walk away in the end. However, I didn’t like how it debased me. I submitted to appease those on board in hopes of being let go.

He moved my hair off my shoulders, his hand lingering on my skin. The contact ignited an electrical charge between us. There was something there. It had felt real—until all this happened. He said the same. “We have been together, and when we were, it didn’t feel like it was forced. It felt like a beginning.”

I ran my hand over my arm. “It was a beginning. I wanted to explore and spend time with you, but not like this. How could I now, after you lied to me?”

“I didn’t tell you about your company because I didn’t want to risk them discovering the lengths I’ve been going to in order to try to protect you,” he said. “Angel disappeared, and she was just as connected and successful as you. We aren’t dealing with people who have no power. I will fight to keep you, but if you fight…you may be lost. I knew if I bought the shares of Perfetto, I’d return them to you. I’m now risking everything by telling you the truth.”

My throat closed. “Why did you?” I whispered.

“I believe at first a part of me saw in you what I at one time saw in Angel,” he said. “You both are strong, independent, and dedicated to your work. What I found on my own is that you have a willingness to take chances. When we had sex, I was drawn to your beauty and passion. We connected. I know you felt it too, and if I hadn’t pushed you away that night…”

“Yes, I would have wanted to see you again,” I admitted. He was right—I was genuinely captivated by him and had thought we’d spend more time together.

“I don’t expect to keep you after what I’ve told you,” he said. “But I needed you to understand what’s going on and how we can survive this.”

I flinched. Survive? This was dangerous. “For how long?”

“Five days, a week at the most,” he answered.

My eyes widened. “I can’t be gone that long. Astrid, my business partner, and Perfetto employees will be in distress after the Dalton announcement.”

“There is a business center on board,” he said. “We will work on a joint statement and I’ll get it out to my lawyers to continue with business as usual while we work with the investigation.” I went silent. Apparently, he had thought through this already, but it wasn’t just work. I had my father. “My dad…is ill. I need to make sure he’s okay. Astrid would need me to say something personal to her. She’s our executive director.”

“We aren’t far from shore,” Dane said. “You can text Astrid now.”

I sighed, took out my phone, and found the battery was almost dead. “I need a charger.” Although how many calls could I make away from land? I typed out a message to Astrid.

Gia: Hi Astrid. I’m checking on the situation with the company. I’ll be going to my dad’s for a few days. I’ll have something emailed to you about what our plan is for now. Just go on as usual. Stuart said we will be fine to operate. Sorry I don’t have the answers.

Astrid: It’s understandable! That piece of shit Dalton tricked all of us. Do you think your dad can help? Just tell me if you need me to do something here. Take as long as you need. I’ll keep you informed if anything goes on here.

He nodded. “I’ll have Elliott check on your dad for you.”

I frowned. I didn’t want anyone but me looking after my father. I didn’t trust Elliott. “How does Elliott play into this?”

His lips curved up. “He’s a good friend. He will protect you, and that is why he will be here. It may be too late for me since I’m so involved with The Agency now. Once we port, he will get you out. I’ll make sure he can help you and you have a way to reach my lawyer for your business.”

“But it can’t be too late for you, can it?” I stuttered. “What are you risking?”

He gazed at me deeply. “You still worry about me. It’s touching, but you shouldn’t. What I ask of you is necessary until we can get you away safely once we port in San Francisco.”

My jaw unhinged. I had completely forgotten San Francisco was where Liz had said she was going. “Is Liz here too?”

Dane rubbed the back of his neck. “Your friend made some poor choices, but I have been trying to keep track of her. I don’t believe she is on the ship.”

My stomach churned. “She’s not in trouble…is she?”

His face went blank, his body still.

“Help her,” I choked.

“I’m trying to help you, Gia,” he said solemnly. “I’ve told you what’s going on and now you will need to do what is expected of the men and women on board.”

“And what would that be?” I asked, though I knew the answer.

“You will have to behave as my purchase,” he said. He reached into his pocket and took out a black wristband with a lock on it. “You will have to be mine.”

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