Page 32 of Nothing to Do

Alessia was laughing as she and Zane approached. “Is it funny to knock on a door you own?”

“Money doesn’t replace manners,” he said, stopping when their eyes met. “Hey, Wanderer.”

“It’s kind of shocking that you’re here,” Alessia said. “Isn’t it shocking that he’s here, Thea? How’s Roman?”

That question broke their stare.

“Oh…” Zane started. “He’s doing fine. I apologize for last night… to both of you. None of you needed to witness that.”

“Is that all you came to say?” Thea asked. “Are you knocking on everyone’s door?”

“No,” he said. “I came to talk to you.”

Alessia side-shuffled toward the deck. “I’ll… go see where Lark is with those dresses.”

Her sister went out into the cooling air and silence settled around them.

“I’m sorry, Thea.”

Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “An apology changes nothing.”

“We were starting something—”

“A relationship should never start on an apology. Not a lasting one anyway,” she said and breathed out. “We started in lies, it never had a chance.”

“I disagree,” he said, coming her way. Thea held up a hand to stall him. “I didn’t intend to lie to you about the money.”

“You think this is about money?” She went to pull the deck door closed. “You endangered my sister’s safety.”

After a silence, she looked at him over her shoulder. That was it? He had nothing?

His frown sure suggested that. “Thea, I would never—”

“Why on Earth would you facilitate your cousin’s addictions? Strand him on an island with dozens of innocent women? Young, impressionable women?”

“Thea—”

“I know he was addicted to pain pills, and it wasn’t alcohol, Alessia told me. But the state of that server… he must have done a number on her. What did she do to deserve that? What if it had been my sister? Maybe next time it will be… I thought… whatever I thought about you…” Whatever she’d felt… “About the man I thought you were… It was a complete lie, a fabrication.”

Zane stalked over. “I would never let Roman hurt anyone… He only got access to the island because he swore the addiction, the bullshit, was history. He was in a residential program for months. We got doctor reports, psychologistopinion. Roman swore all of that was in his past.” He exhaled, taking his time examining her. “Thea…” His hand drifted to her face. “I would never knowingly let anyone hurt you or your family.”

She pushed his hand away. “If that’s true, you should get a plane here now and give everyone a chance to leave.”

He frowned. “Alessia wants to leave? Of course she or any of her companions will be given whatever they need. They’re not prisoners here. My jet is in Hawaii, it can leave within the hour.”

“Your jet,” she muttered. “I’m not sure I’d be comfortable on that.”

“Good,” he said, a smile warming his lips. “Because I didn’t offer to fly you anywhere.”

She crooked a brow. “They’re not prisoners, but I am?”

“Only for as long as it takes to persuade you to forgive me.”

“Zane, it doesn’t matter. We’re done. What matters now is my sister.”

“Your sister will be taken care of. She’ll be given anything she needs. But we have something to work on here.”

“Why does it matter?” she asked. “Go find yourself a woman you haven’t lied to, or one who doesn’t care that your cousin is an abuser.”

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