Page 46 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

Liam

I’ll never stop worrying about your safety, Madison. What complication?

The bubbles pop up and then disappear.

I wait and then wait some more.

But no response comes.

Liam

Madison. So help me God…I will come get you and burn that fucking yacht to the sea floor if you don’t clue me in.

Diego’s yacht is stunning.Its black matte exterior makes it appear sleek and dangerous, yet the interior is all warm fixtures and golds.A paradox like him.Like Liam and Killian. I haven’t even seen the entirety of it, but could only imagine the intricate details.

The view alone from the helipad is jaw-dropping. Diego places a hand on my lower back and gestures for me to get a closer look.

I lean over the railing, enjoying the warm salty breeze, and run my eyes along the beauty of the coast. My eyes take in the white buildings and the people lightly scattered along the beach. All those magnificent boats and yachts docked in port. It’s incredible the amount of wealth in just one small area. The yachts range in size—Pontusbeing one of the largest superyachts here. It is beautiful and overwhelming at the same time. I pull a deep breath into my lungs to try and relax my nerves.

Okay. This may come off as crazy, but my life has been exactly that for months now.So…crazy thoughts it is.I can almostfeelLiam here with me. Like a warm embrace or the tingle of the sun on your skin, the wind wraps around me like one of Liam’s hugs. I barely register Diego’s hand on my back.

Instantly, my eyes are drawn to a building in the distance. There is a man there on what seems like a private hotel balcony. He’s in a small infinity pool holding a set of binoculars directed at our yacht. I shield the sun from my eyes, trying to focus more clearly on him. He’s got Liam’s build and I can faintly make out some tattoos. A beard.

There is no way Liam is here.

Killian made it very clear with his actions and use of authority that Liam was to be sent to Ireland. I even told him it was for the best. As much as I love Liam, his temper and need to protect me would put our plan at risk. The sooner this is over, the sooner I can be with him. I just need to keep remembering that. It’s part of the reason I haven’t reached out to him yet. He needs to settle into how this is going to be for the next few months. So do I…

Diego’s fingers lace with mine, breaking me free of my uneasy thoughts.

“Ready to take a tour of the place you’ll be thriving in for the next few months,Mariposita?”

He leads me down the steps to the entrance of the main level. “Why did you say it like that?” I raise an eyebrow at his verbiage and cross my arms over my chest.

Diego lifts my sunglasses so that they rest on top of my head. His thumb caresses my heated cheek. “Because youwillbe thriving. Life is different living out on the water. My staff is extremely accommodating, anything you need they are here to assist you with. Plus, there are no distractions out here—other than myself,” he winks. “Take this time to figure out what you want from life. What you truly want. Read, relax, swim. You are safe here. Until Gerlado comes with his men, you can move freely around the ship without my shadow.”

My lip raises in a defiant smile. “Good. Cause you're kinda like a gnat. Every time I shoo you away you keep coming back.”

He shakes his head and laughs, walking a few steps ahead of me. “Maybe it’s your sweetness that I can't resist.”

His arms open wide to show me a beautiful kitchen area that has indoor and outdoor dining. There is a large kitchen island with black leather bar stools beneath it. An array of fresh fruit, pastries, and refreshing cocktails line one end to the other. Diego walks over to the island and snags a grape, popping it into his mouth. “Help yourself, dinner will be ready shortly.”

I reach for a pretty purple cocktail, garnished with a dried lemon and lavender sprig. There is a small honey dipper used as a stirrer. Diego brushes his shoulder against mine to grab his own as I take a sip of my drink.Holy crap this is delicious.So many different flavors are having a party on my tongue. Honey, lemon, lavender, and a hint of blueberry—maybe blueberry-infused vodka?My eyelids close as I take another sip. Wow, this is delicious and refreshing. The perfect remedy to calm my nerves.

“The one you have is my favorite.” He raises his glass to my lips, encouraging me to take a sip. “But the blood orange, agave, and rosemary margarita is easily my second choice.”

I wrap my hand around his to control how much he pours and tilt my head back slightly to take a sip. Those ocean eyes of his drop to my lips as the cool liquid and all its glorious flavors interact on my tongue.

“Mmm,” I practically moan out my agreement.

He pulls the glass back with a satisfied smirk and takes his own healthy sip. For such cool eyes, they sure seem to melt me to my core. He licks the salt from his lips and uses his thumb to rub a few flakes off of mine. Fire erupts within me, and warning bells go off in my head, but all I can do is stare at him and the depths of his eyes.

The need to learn all the secrets hidden beneath them is becoming a problem. Getting Diego to open up means opening myself up the same way. Which means I could be making averybig mistake and quite possibly putting my relationship at risk.

With a sigh, Diego steps out of my space and walks outside. I follow him after snatching a small lemon tart.Fuck this is amazing, too.If the drinks and food are going to be this delicious, I am going to go back to New York a few pounds heavier. That’s not such a big deal, considering I must have lost quite a bit these last few weeks. After playing chicken roulette—this is heaven.

What I really need is the gym to gain back some muscle and strengthen my body again.

“Do you have a gym?” I ask over a mouthful of lemon tart.

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