Page 83 of Savage Beauty

“They didn’t tell us. But we spent a lot of time in the car, driving back and forth from the hospital. They never told us, but they didn’t keep it a secret. We have ears. Why?”

“My parents loved each other. But they had a day-to-day reality too. Everyone does. But they also prioritized each other. I’ve always wanted a marriage like my parents.”

“Marriage? You want to get married?”

“One day. I take it that’s a negative for you?”

“Marriage is based on religious principles, and I’m not religious.” It’s a fantasy. I’m not sure why, but it surprises me that someone like Max would want the traditional construct of a marriage. He seems more open-minded.

“Well, then. I suppose it’s better that we realized we want different things before we invested too much energy in scheduling phone calls.”

I’m not sure what to say to that, so I focus on the unevenly tied laces of the out-of-place hiking boots he’s wearing.

“I’ll see you around.”

A quivering sensation assaults my chest cavity. He’s leaving to catch a plane. But this doesn’t feel like a good goodbye. “Do you not want to talk this Sunday?”

“No, Sloane, I don’t think I do.” The room blurs, and it becomes hard to breathe. “Our paths are bound to cross, you know. Knox is like a brother to me.”

“And he and Sage are going to have children.” If something happens to her… She’s all I’ve got. “I don’t want her to go through a pregnancy. It’s a risk.”

“I remember.” Again, he doesn’t sound happy with me. But I’m only concerned for Sage. I just don’t want her taking unnecessary risks.

I return to my laptop as the door clicks closed.

CHAPTER27

Max

Like most terminals for private planes, this one is small, but given the Cayman Islands’ location, it’s on the luxe side. No one bats an eye at my gun bags. The corporate plane is here but needs to refuel before it turns around. Our departure time isn’t slated for another forty-three minutes, and I’m camped out in a seat with a view of the tarmac.

My foul mood threatens to suffocate me. And it’s my own damn fault. I should’ve seen it. Everyone described her as an odd bird. Different. Didn’t Sage once tell me she was borderline obsessed with her work? Did Sage even use the word borderline, or is my memory playing wishful tricks?

The second woman I fall hard for, and she’s the second one to decide I’m not worth it. But no, what am I saying? She offered to schedule a weekly call with me.Holy fucking shit, I’m a joke.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket, forcing me to shift in the hard plastic bucket seat. Damn thing goes through another series of vibrations. I’m not in the mood to read updates. I pull it out and lay it on top of the duffel at my feet. The thing continues to vibrate with five-second intervals of calm.

With a huff, and the reluctant realization something must’ve exploded, I bend and pick up the damn annoyance. Eight missed calls. Knox. Erik. Knox. Erik.

What’re they doing? Playing tag team? I really do not feel like talking.

I click over to texts.

Erik

Did you see the Interpol update? Sloane is a suspect.

Erik

Photos on multiple websites. In Taiwan. Also Cambodia.

Knox

Have you seen this shit? How’s Sloane taking it?

Erik

Bank statement details showing payments to her in Cayman accounts.

---