Page 71 of Moonlit Hideaway
“What are we going to do now?” she asked in a confused manner. “You said there’s a priest on board.”
“He can marry us after I take your nonvirginity.” He sneered. “You little whore. You think I don’t know what you did in Atlantic City with that fool?”
“We shouldn’t keep the priest waiting,” she said. “I’m sure the police are coming to question you about Emma.”
“They already tried, and guess what? I’m the hero who returned the runaway. I messaged them as soon as Emma was on her way home.” His smirk was so self-satisfying that Sierra wanted to puke. “No hair of Emma’s was touched. She can vouch for us. She contacted Russ and Linc on her own accord. They can see her cell phone records. All they did was bring her to me for a job interview, and I hired her without knowing she was a minor.”
“Liar. You knew.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He smoothed a hand over his gelled hair. “As for your innkeeper, he needs to thank me for returning his daughter. I expect a housewarming party once he discovers I’m his new neighbor.”
“No way.” Sierra backed up to the headboard to get as far away as possible. If she could keep him talking, he wouldn’t be stripping her naked. “How’d you accomplish that?”
“Bought the entire point from the lighthouse to the helipad. Beachfront property that was deemed too swampy. Well, now, I’m going to drain the swamp, cut down the scraggly bushes, and turn this into a resort. I’ll be needing a parking structure right around the corner from the lighthouse; hmmm… there seems to be a rundown shack sitting there now. It’s bleeding cash and needs repair. Not many tenants, and he keeps making deals not to charge them rent.”
“Will never happen.” Despite the situation, Sierra still had her values. “That inn is a historical designation. The site of the Christmas rescues of 18-whatever.”
“Not when I can buy the city council, starting with the mayor,” Marco snickered. “I’m thinking of becoming a prominent resident of Moonlit Harbor.”
She could only stare in horror at his maniacal visions as he shook his head in a mocking manner. “Poor fool. He thought he was worthy enough for the likes of you. What was he thinking?”
Sierra shrugged, wanting to continue Marco’s bragging. “How long had you had your eye on his property? Did Liam tell you about it?”
Marco leaned closer and clamped his arm around her, pressing her against his body. “I didn’t need Liam. Your boy, what’s his name, Huck, I think… He pinpointed your location himself.”
“How?” Shockwaves zipped through Sierra. “You’re lying. Hank would never have betrayed me.”
“Oh, he’s your hero, all right, but stupid as a turd. He called for Liam’s references and got me. The idiot used Moonlit Inn’s landline. Now, his little girl is a lot smarter. She knows all about VPNs and such, but you did a dumb thing messaging her from your phone this morning.”
“Wow, so I guess I screwed up,” Sierra giggled. “But then, you must know that the FBI gave me my phone. I wonder if they traced the call?”
“So what if they did?” Marco said. “Review the transcript of our call. I did nothing wrong other than ask you to marry me, which you so eagerly accepted.”
He tightened his grip around Sierra and pushed her down onto the bed underneath him. “Now, I’m going to take you as my bride.”
Sierra had no fight left. If she didn’t comply, Hank and Emma would be in danger now that Marco revealed he was their new neighbor. She numbed herself as he grabbed and twisted her flesh, his heavy lips smooshing over hers, slobber enveloping not only her mouth but the region between her nose and chin.
Not getting a response, Marco slapped her. “No wife of mine is going to lie there like a board. Get excited.”
Sierra closed her eyes as the sting spread over her face, throbbing her head. She’d rather die.
Another blow made her see stars, but she didn’t cry out. Mafia wives were taught to endure until their husbands got mistresses to take the beatings. No wonder they prayed the rosary all the time.
A sharp rap at the stateroom door distracted Marco from undressing her.
“What is it?” he growled. “Didn’t I tell you not to disturb me?”
“The Coast Guard wants to board,” a man’s voice answered, spiking hope in Sierra’s chest.
“Then let them.” Marco tucked his shirt into his pants and put on his jacket. “We’ve done nothing wrong.”
He shot a warning to Sierra that was clear. She would back up his story, or harm would come to Emma and Hank.
“The priest wants to leave with them,” the man continued. “He’s seasick.”
“Great. Then let’s get the wedding going.” Marco yanked Sierra from the bed.
“But I’m wearing these old clothes.” She tried to stall.
