Page 9 of A Distant Shore
“He is.” She stood a little taller and smiled. Then shepulled an envelope from the waistband of her short skirt. “Ten thousand U.S. dollars. Can you believe it?”
Eliza couldn’t. Especially knowing her father. Alexa’s release from the Palace seemed too good to be true, but the cash was there in her waistband, tucked inside a white envelope.
“How are you getting out?” The dots hadn’t quite connected for Eliza. “Is my father taking you?”
“No, silly.” Alexa giggled, one of the few times Eliza had heard her friend laugh. “The guards are taking me to the airport. They asked me where I wanted to go.”
“Hmm.” Eliza had questions, but she didn’t ask them. No sense ruining Alexa’s big day. “Okay, then.” Eliza hugged her once more. “I’ll find you. After I’m married. However long it takes.”
“Yes! You can come and stay with me for a few days. The Palace will be long behind us.”
Someone had called for Alexa from the main floor, and her grin faded. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll see you again. I know I will.” Eliza was lying. But it wasn’t the time to say so. “I’ll be fine.”
Her friend nodded. “Bye, Eliza.”
“Bye.”
Then Alexa waved and disappeared out the door. It was the last time Eliza ever saw her friend. Last time she ever would.
Eliza stopped the memory there. She stood, dropped her beach cover-up on her towel, and walked toward thewater. She cherished these few hours each day, time to sit on the beach, to swim and let the darkness of the night—the sounds and certainty of what was happening down the hall—wash off in the waves.
She pushed through the foamy surf and into the clear sea beyond. Her tan legs cut through the water and the swells lapped at her thighs. She had asked for a one-piece swimsuit this summer, but the guards had only laughed at her.
“A beautiful princess like you, Eliza?” her father had said. “This is your world, and you will wear only the best. In the water and out.”
Once she was out a little farther, Eliza dove beneath the waves. There was no undertow today. Nothing but the satiny feel of the salt water against her skin. On days like this, when Eliza swam in the ocean, she liked to picture Alexa living in that apartment in Colombia. Right in the middle of the city. But Eliza had her doubts. The morning after Alexa left the Palace, Eliza had heard something that still made her sick. In the early hours of sunlight, Eliza had left her room in search of a drink of water. A team of housemaids were supposed to cater to the girls’ needs, but that morning none of them answered Eliza’s call. And the guards weren’t at her door like usual.
As Eliza rounded the corner to the wet bar on her floor, she heard Anders talking with one of his goons down the stairs. Eliza froze and listened.
Anders asked, “Was the money still on her?”
The guard grunted. Eliza couldn’t make out his words, but whatever he must’ve said or shown Anders, the Palace prince was quiet. After a few seconds he chuckled. “Good. She won’t need cash where she is now.” He paused. “You’re sure you took care of her?”
“Yes, boss. She’s gone.”
Chills had run down Eliza’s arms and legs and without making a sound she had tiptoed back to her room. Her heart had pounded so loud, she wondered if her father would come find her and beat her. Just for looking scared.
The way he had threatened to do more times than she could count.
So she had done what she often did when she was afraid. Eliza slid back under the covers, pulled the silk sheets and comforters up to her chin and squeezed her eyes shut.
What had happened to Alexa? Had the guards taken her to some remote spot and…?
Eliza couldn’t finish the thought. Not then or now.
A few more strokes through the water and Eliza reached her favorite part of the ocean. Beyond the rough waves but still close enough to see people on the shore. She treaded water as easily as she breathed. She’d been doing it long enough.
Her eyes searched the sandy beach. Aunt Betsy hadn’t been around for two weeks. She could’ve been dead, for all Eliza knew. Not that it would matter. Her aunt had been an alcoholic for years, drunk morning tonight. Eliza had a feeling her father had long since stopped paying the woman for her services. Eliza didn’t need her mean aunt watching over her. Not when she had the guards.
Eliza remembered the last time she talked to her aunt. The woman was painfully thin now, her skin bunched and wrinkled from the sunshine and gin. “Where will you live, Eliza?” Her aunt tried to smile. “When you marry Mr. Ellington?”
It had taken Eliza a moment to realize why her aunt was asking. “The money… is that it? You know about the money?” Her father had promised her the same thing he’d promised all the girls on their twentieth birthdays. Ten thousand dollars. But she was to use it to purchase clothes and jewelry. So she could look the part of the princess.
Her aunt raised her eyebrows. “I’ve given my life for you, Eliza. A cut of that money is due me, don’t you think?” The woman rocked back on her feet. “Plus… you’ll need… someone to help you manage it.”
Eliza didn’t have to think about her response. “My father paid you for years. You’ve made enough money off me.”
