“Why don’t I tell you everything later,” said Kane. “I’m just asking for a safe place to lay our heads and maybe some food, Ghost. We’ve been on the run for a while now, and there are men chasing us. If what the girl says is right, and she’s like us, they’ll be after her as well.”
“Let’s go,” nodded Ghost. “I’m sure we can round up some food for everyone, showers, and places to live.” Gaspar looked at Gabe, who was smiling ear to ear.
“The thirty extra cabins on the island. Know anything about that, Gabe?”
“Maybe,” he laughed. “It’s always fun getting the best of you, mon frére.”
“Asshole. Let’s go, people. We need some answers to what we just witnessed. On a property where the unusual happens all the time, you just blew my fucking mind.”
As they walked toward the docks and the boats waiting there, the team from VG was standing on the land bridge. Saint pushed through, glaring at Marilisa.
“Saint, I…”
“Don’t. Fucking stupid, childish move. Stupid!” he said, yelling into her face. Saint never saw it coming. She reared back her hand and slapped him so hard he fell backwards into the arms of Brax.
“One day, you will realize I am neither stupid nor childish, Saint. I only hope I’m still here when you do.”
CHAPTER THREE
Back in the cafeteria now, Saint was watching as Marilisa and the others were speaking to the newcomers, including several men who seemed a bit older than himself. It was literally eating a hole inside of him.
“You fucked up, brother,” said Pax.
“I’m aware,” he growled.
“Are you? From where I’m sitting, you still don’t get it, Saint. She’s a grown woman, and you’re acting like an asshole. That woman put her life at risk to save all of our parents and grandparents. If you think I’m going to forget that or condemn her for that, you’re wrong.
“It was fucking brave as shit, and she handled herself beautifully. The fact that the man smiling at her right now is the one who saved her is what’s bothering you.”
“He doesn’t even know her,” he growled.
“I think he does,” said Pax. “I think he knows her better than you do, and that’s what’s eating you. He understands how her brain works. They have things in common, and you hate that.”
“What if I do?” he mumbled.
“Figure your shit out, Saint, or you won’t be of any good to anyone here. Worse? She’ll walk away. You’re the only reason that woman stays here, and now she’s staying here to take abuse from you. That will not last. She won’t stand for it, and friend or no, I fucking won’t stand for it either.”
Pax walked away, and he was pissed at his friend. Everyone was. The way Saint spoke to her was uncalled for and even his father was shooting daggers at him. He stood to leave and then noticed that Marilisa had left the grove as well. He walked toward the man who had saved her life and waited for him to stop speaking to someone.
“Hi. I’m Griffin,” he smiled, extending his hand. Saint took in a deep breath and shook the man’s hand.
“Saint. I wanted to thank you for saving Marilisa,” said Saint.
“Hey, it’s not a problem at all. I don’t think he was actually going to hurt her, but I didn’t want to see her harmed. It’s sort of what we do,” he grinned. Saint hated that the man was good-looking. In fact, it annoyed the shit out of him.
“Well, thanks.”
“Hey, Saint. It was just me saving the girl. Nothing else,” said Griffin.
Saint nodded and walked toward the long tree-lined drive. Veering left, he slowly walked through the maze of hedges, his mind racing a mile a minute.
That is until he heard soft crying. He stopped, listening for the direction, and finally made his way around the next corner, then the next, finding his way to the center where the large fountain was located.
“Damn,” he said beneath his breath. “Marilisa?”
“Go away, Saint,” she said, wiping her eyes. She stood to leave, and he reached out for her hand holding it securely in his own. “Let me go.”
“I don’t think I can,” he said softly. “I’ve been trying to and not having much luck.”