Page 62 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

I wasn't sure how to react to his words. He was acting like I'd had an unfortunate accident, when I'd told him I thought someone had pushed me into the water.

"Victor spoke to me when you were getting in the car," he continued, his gaze turning more serious. "He's going to send Martin Demora over here to talk to you about what happened. Victor doesn't want to get the local deputies involved unless you're sure there's something that needs to be investigated. I told him your mind was very fuzzy about what happened, the result of the medication you'd taken, and it was unlikely you could give a detailed statement right now."

Was that because he didn't want me to give a detailed statement? Didn't want me to share my suspicions with anyone else, because I'd be pointing the finger at Allison, his good friend, or whatever the hell she was to him?

"Megan suggested we go with the medication explanation," Andrew added.

"Sounds like everyone is focused on spin control," I said, a little disappointed by everything I'd just heard. It made sense that Victor and Megan would immediately think about that, but Andrew's willingness to go along so easily with the story bothered me. But then, everything about him was starting to bother me. I didn't feel like I could trust a word he was saying.

"I know you think you were pushed, but it seems so unlikely, Lauren. Who would do that?"

"I told you who."

He shook his head. "I don't believe that."

"I know you don't," I said heavily.

A frown crossed his lips. "I'm not picking her over you."

"It feels that way."

"Your story just doesn't make sense. It was Harper and Allison who first noticed you were gone. They raised the alarm. They were running all over the boat, looking for you."

"Well, that's what I would do if I'd pushed someone into the ocean and didn't want anyone to think it was me."

"You said yourself you were out of it. You could barely walk. You couldn't focus. You were disoriented."

"And someone took advantage of that."

"Or you're confused about what happened. Look, if you want to talk to the police, if you want to tell everyone what you told me, I'm not going to stop you. And I'll stand by you, but I'm trying to protect you, and right now, I'm not sure you have the mental capacity to protect yourself. I don't want you to regret something later when your mind clears. You love your job and this company, and accusing someone of trying to kill you on Victor's yacht without any proof whatsoever could be risky." He paused, letting his words sink in. "But if that's what you want to do, then I'll back you up. I'm on your side. You don't seem to believe that, but it's true."

It was hard not to believe Andrew when he was speaking with such force and a clarity that I had to admit I did not have at this moment.

I let out a sigh. "You're right. I'm not thinking clearly right now, so I don't want to make any official statements."

"I really think that's for the best."

He'd no sooner finished speaking when the door opened, and Martin Demora walked in, the resort's head of security.

"How are you doing, Mrs. Chadwick?" Martin asked, his sharp gaze running across my face and down my blanket-covered body.

"Much better," I replied.

"Mr. Carrington told me what happened and asked me to check in with you. He’s very concerned about what happened on the yacht and wants to make sure everything is being handled appropriately. Is there anything you want to share with me about how you ended up in the water? I understand you took some pain medication prior to your fall?"

"Yes. I was thrown by a horse yesterday, and I was experiencing a lot of pain in my hip and leg."

"I've been made aware of that incident. Tell me more about today."

"There was a photo shoot on the yacht, and I had to do a lot of walking and posing. I was in a great deal of pain. I wasn't sure I could get through lunch. Andrew offered me a stronger painkiller, and I took it."

"What kind of painkiller?"

"It was hydrocodone," Andrew answered for me. "I had a prescription for a back injury I had several months ago, and there were a few pills left. Lauren was in a great deal of discomfort. I didn't know the medication would affect her so strongly."

"You do know it's illegal to share prescribed medication with someone else," Martin said.

"I didn't think it would lead to this," Andrew said sharply.

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