Page 74 of Burn for Me

‘You were dreaming,’ he said, concern furrowing his brow. ‘The same nightmare again?’

I nodded, reaching for the glass of water by the bed and taking a long drink.

It had been two weeks since we’d seen the TV appeal through the shop window, and instead of my worry decreasing over time, it had been compounding. By day I could mostly push it to the back of my mind, but by nightfall Massimo stalked me through my dreams, turning each into a familiar nightmare.

‘I don’t think we can stop for food,’ I said, my heart pounding at the thought.

‘We have too. Even with the stock of shakes I have here, we’re running low. Most of my stash was in the cottage. We need to stock up.’

As if mocking me, my stomach let out a deep grumble.

Phoenix leaned forward and grazed his healing mouth over mine. ‘We’ll be quick, in and out. You can stay on the boat, I can go alone. Your picture is far more recognisable than the blurry one of me.’

Panic seized me, and I pulled his fingers into my hand. ‘No. You can’t leave me.’

‘It’s safest on the boat.’

‘It’s safest with you,’ I said, my voice cracking at the idea of being left alone near the port.

Phoenix tugged a hand through his hair before scooping me up and pulling me against his chest. ‘Then we’ll stay together. We can get you a hat and shades, something to disguise you a little. I’ve ordered the food for pick up, we just need to get to shore and make a quick trip to grab it.’

‘Okay,’ I breathed, apprehension still making me feel sick.

‘I’ll make you a cup of tea and a piece of toast before we pull into the dock. Rake through my drawers there and see if you can wear something that’ll disguise you a bit.’ Phoenix injected calm into his voice, deliberately slowing it. But beneath the calm, it rang out the same worry I felt.

Every movement I made was drenched in foreboding, shadowed by some sort of black dog waiting to pull me back to Massimo. The ever lingering fear of my dreams dogging me by day now, too.

Splashing water on my face at the sink, I tried to shake the feeling of impending doom, but no matter what it remained. In the circles beneath my eyes. In the prickling sensation at the back of my neck. In the dullness of my eyes.

I threw up a silent prayer to God, or the universe, or anyone who was listening.Let us get the food and get back to the boat safely. Please?

THIRTY-EIGHT

Phoenix

Ibreathed a sigh of relief as Old Bess came back into view, our footsteps quick on the old stone harbour side.

We’d stocked up on plenty of food, both of us weighed down with the stuffed bags. The water containers should have been topped up while we were away too. All set to hit the seas.

‘Almost there,’ I said, encouraging Laura who still looked as pale as a sheet. She’d barely spoken a word since we pulled into the town.

Anger bubbled up in my stomach, with every fearful glance she gave. Massimo had become a monster who haunted her dreams, the one place I couldn’t protect her. An insidious vampire leeching away our chance at happiness.

It was no good, I wouldn’t spend our lives fleeing and hiding. Massimo was on borrowed time. I’d find a way to get to him, and indulge myself in seeing him pay for hurting mygirl.

I climbed the ladder up onto the deck one handed, my other arm straining with the weight of the bags. Plopping them down on the deck, I reached over to take Laura’s bags before offering her a hand onto the boat.

Her face visibly relaxed the moment she set foot aboard. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her to me for a quick kiss, my body still filling with wonder at the graze of her tongue against mine.

‘I can put the shopping away while you get us back out on the water,’ she said, her brow creasing as she glanced back to shore.

‘By nightfall we’ll be back at the island, docked next to the shore. Muffin will be delighted to see you.’

A smile lifted her lips, erasing the worry line on her forehead. I’d burn the whole damn world to keep that smile on her beautiful face.

After lifting the bags into the kitchen area for her, I headed back out onto deck to ready Old Bess for the trip.

I hummed to myself out of habit while I worked, scanning the dark clouds gathering over the horizon.

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