Page 14 of The Weekend Getaway

“I wouldn’t even know where to send it,” Chris said. “I haven’t really kept up with Phil since college. But Alex is right. Phil wants to ruin all of us, and we can’t let that happen.”

“And just how are we supposed to stop him from doing that?” Grace asked. “Phil has all the money in the world. If he wants to destroy us, he can.”

“He can also have an accident.”

Grace froze. “What?”

Looking away, toward the wall of French doors leading out to the balcony, Chris said, “Maybe Alex is right about that, too. Maybe Phil needs to have an accident.”

“Are you serious right now?” Grace glared at her husband. “Do you hear yourself? You want to murder Phil?”

Chris winced. “It wouldn’t be murder. Like Alex said?—”

“I am so sick and freaking tired of what Alex said,” Grace hissed. “That’s your problem. You’re always listening to everything Alex says, always doing what Alex wants you to do. You’re always letting Alex intimidate and influence you to do things that seem to turn out for his benefit but to your detriment.”

Chris scoffed, flipped his hand dismissively. “That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?” Grace asked. “Fifteen years ago, Alex convinced you to do something that you knew wasn’t right, but you wentalong with it. Instead of coming clean, you let Alex talk you into believing that you weren’t covering up a crime, you were thinking about your future.”

Rubbing his eyes, Chris said nothing.

“And now, fifteen years later, because of that stupid decision,” Grace said. “You’re willing to kill a man.”

CHAPTER 11

MIA

Mia said, “I think we made a mistake.”

She walked around the bedroom, which was large and grand, decorated like the library, more sugar plantation chic, natural fiber rugs, sepia tones, potted palms, cane chairs, and mahogany. For a moment, Mia imagined that the grand villa belonged to them, and they were on a second honeymoon, just the two of them. They would have flown to the island on their private plane. No cramped commercial flight. No overcrowded, nauseating ferry. And no other guests. No Grace, Chris, Jason, Sarah, or Phil. No risky blackmail plot. Which might not happen now. Because of those damn notes someone had sent Phil.

Alex dropped down into a large cane chair in the corner of the room. “A mistake?”

“We shouldn’t have told the others about Phil having anunfortunate accident,” Mia said. Actually,theyhadn’t told the others. The idea had been Alex’s and his alone. But she used inclusive language to assure and affirm her allegiance to him, making sure he knew she was on his side, and always would be.

Nodding, Alex sighed. “I may have been a bit melodramatic, telling them we need to get rid of Phil before he gets rid of us, but I was trying to show them how serious the situation is.”

“Do you think Phil will really try to destroy us?

Alex scoffed, rubbing his chin. “I know he will.”

Mia sighed. “What about the plan?”

“It’s fucked. Out of the question.”

“I was just asking because if Phil has an unfortunate accident, then … “ Mia paused before gathering her nerves, forcing herself to continue. “Then he won’t be around to invest in the firm.”

Alex nodded. “So maybe he shouldn’t have an accident.”

Mia said, “If anything happens to Phil, even if it appears accidental, the others will suspect us.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Alex closed his eyes. “What the fuck do we do now?”

“Don’t give up on the plan,” Mia said.

“Blackmailing Phil is off the table,” Alex said. “We lost the upper hand.”

“Maybe not,” Mia said. “You still have the proof of what Phil did. He won’t want that to come out.”

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