Page 68 of Castle

I smiled, “Let’s go.”

Theo was on the deck, looking like a rare gemstone dug out of the most dangerous mines, and he was wearing a black bomber jacket, tousled hair, with denim jeans. If Castle looked exactly like Theo when he was a teen, I could bet he had girls throwing themselves at him whenever he walked the school hallways.

I kind of felt jealous. Why hadn’t I known Castle when he was younger?

It was stupid how I was having these thoughts.

He hopped on board and then extended his hand out for me to take. His gaze held so much trust, I didn’t know how he would react when this was done.

Honestly, I was having second thoughts. Maybe this is a terrible idea...

Theo took me around to show the luxuriously furnished yacht. Plush sofas were against the side windows, a staircase leading to two bedrooms upstairs and one below. There was a small kitchen with a stocked mini-refrigerator and a gaming parlor. The topmost deck had a nice patio for chilling.

A stocky middle-aged man waved at us from the small cabin there. Theo introduced him as the Yacht’s captain.

He took Castle’s hand in a firm handshake. “So glad to see you here again, sir.” He had a heavy accent, “Thought I would never have an opportunity again to sail this beauty...you know, after the...”

Theo coughed loudly, and that caused a distraction. “Ronald, what’s that thing over there that’s throwing lights around?”

“Young master Theo, that’s a lighthouse. Thought you would know that...a high school going lad like you.”

“Well, I tend to forget things these days. Also, we’re not sailing too far.” He quickly steered the conversation away. “What do you think, Millie? Does my ship have your approval?”

I laughed, “Yours, huh? And it’s not a ship.” I teased him.

“It’s a ship, and Castle said it’s mine when I’m old enough to buy drinks.”

“I don’t…I don’t remember saying anything like that,” Castle said.

“Of course you wouldn’t, but I’m sure you’ll remember everything soon enough,” Theo said confidently.

I gave him a look. What the hell was he doing?

“I love this yacht,” I said. “I wish I could stay here forever.”

“You might reconsider your words a while later.”

“What? Why?”

“Come on, I’ll show you the bottom outer deck.” He offered.

I followed him downstairs. Castle said he wanted to sit at the top for a little more time.

The yacht roared to life, and I watched as we started moving farther and farther away from the pier and towards the darkness of the lake.

“If you think this one is beautiful, you haven’t been to our other boat. We own a ship the size of a Queen Mary.”

“You’re kidding?” I laughed.

“Okay, not Queen Mary, I exaggerated, but we own a ship and you married a rich man. Deal with it.”

I rolled my eyes.

He pointed at the lower deck, that was equally stunning with golden and ivory seats. It was all custom-made, and so breathtaking. I could live in this boat forever.

And then my gaze shifted to the railings.

There was something red and dried up on it and trailed all the way down onto the boat’s wooden floor.

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