Page 123 of Sinful Palace

“Sure.”

When he was gone, I stepped forward and rapped on the restroom door. “Hey, Jared, it’s me. Just letting you know I’m here.”

He didn’t respond.

I waited a couple of minutes before knocking again. “Jared? It’s Willow.”

Still no response.

“Are you okay?” I asked, anxiety spiking all over again. “You didn’t fall asleep on the toilet, did you?”

I waited another thirty seconds, and then I tried the handle. It was unlocked.

I opened the door and looked inside. Even though the light and fan were on, the room was empty.

“What the hell?” I muttered.

“Willow? Is something wrong?”

I whirled around to see Jamie stepping back into the bathroom. “Jared’s gone,” I said.

His brows shot up. “What do you mean?”

I showed him the empty cubicle. “He’s not in there. Could he have wandered outside?” I asked, heart pounding.

“Not without me seeing him. He should be down here in the cabin. Unless…”

“Unless what?”

A faint smile curved his lips. “Unless he was never on the boat to begin with.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, chest tightening. “And why are you smiling?”

Jamie stepped forward and rested a hand on my shoulder. “Your brother isn’t here, Willow,” he said gently.

I shook my head, eyes wide with confusion. “But… I saw his stuff out there.”

“Well, yes, I had to go and pick up some of his things so you’d believe he was here. But he’s not. He’s fast asleep in bed at your aunt’s place.”

“Why would you say he was here if he wasn’t?” I asked, stomach churning.

“How else could I have convinced you to leave with me in the middle of the night?” he said. “I know how much you care about him, and I know you’d never willingly go into hiding without him.”

Bile rose in my throat as the yacht suddenly started moving. “Stop!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, hoping Alex could hear me from down here. “Stop the boat! Now!”

I tried to run forward to the stairway, but Jamie grabbed my left arm and pulled me back. “Sorry, Willow. We can’t do that.”

“Why? What the hell is going on?” I asked, trying to shake him off me.

He let out a short sigh and dropped my arm. “We had to get you out. You’ve been causing far too much trouble.”

“Trouble? For who?”

“Who do you think?” he said, eyes gleaming.

Every hair on the back of my neck stood up. “Oh my god,” I whispered, lifting one hand to my chest. “The Order.”

“That’s right.”

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