Page 110 of Pucker Factor

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

This wasn’t like Rafe. He was never jealous of me. We both had our own paths in life, and whether or not our parents approved of his life choices was the last thing on his mind. But again, there was that look in his eyes. Something was coming, but I had no fucking clue what it was. And as long as he kept playing these mind games with me, I might never find out.

“You can get the fuck off my ship now,” he said, turning to leave. The pretense of being held against his will was gone. He stormed right past IKE without a care in the world.

I followed and shouted for him, but he didn’t stop. “Rafe! What the fuck is going on?”

He turned around one last time and glared at me. “If you’re not here to help, you don’t have a fucking purpose on this ship. I’ll have a ride waiting for you.”

“We’re in the middle of the ocean,” I retorted.

He quirked an eyebrow, smirking at me in typical Rafe fashion. “Then I guess it’s going to take you a long time to row to shore.”

29

ELI

I rolled over, expecting to find Sarah beside me, but the bed was empty. Jerking upright in bed, I grabbed a spare pair of pants from the closet and yanked them on, grabbing a shirt as I shoved my bare feet into my boots. How the hell did she slip away without me noticing?

I stormed out of the room, my pulse hammering as I ran down the corridor in search of her. The thought of her out there with Rafe sent chills down my spine. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her, and I wouldn’t put anything past that bastard. I ran up the steps, terrified of what I’d find on the deck. I skidded to a stop when I saw Fox standing with Sarah and they were fucking laughing.

“That’s right. Just put a tad more spin on it.”

Sarah lined up her target and flung a throwing knife across the ship into a board. She squealed, jumping up and down when she hit the chalk target. What the fuck?

I stormed over to her and pulled her away from him just as she flung herself in his arms, holding him tight. “What the fuck are you doing?” I growled.

“Learning how to defend myself. It’s just like playing darts at the bar!” she said excitedly.

“Except these kill people,” I spat. Then I saw Tate sitting just feet away, practically sleeping where he was. “And what the fuck are you doing here?”

He pointed at Fox. “Apparently, he’s found FNG. So, I decided to take a nap.”

“And while you’ve been sleeping, princess, I was teaching your lady love some self-defense. I’m surprised you haven’t done that yet, you know, with all the trouble you’ve been getting into.”

“I sort of ran out of time,” I bit out.

He tapped me on the nose like a kid. “But you still had time for sex. I think you have your priorities mixed up. However, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve convinced her to come home with us.”

I did a double-take, sure I’d heard him wrong. “You what?”

“Well, she has doubts. Something you would have known if you hadn’t fallen asleep when she was talking to you.”

I looked at Sarah, who just shrugged.

“And this all happened in the last…” I looked at my watch. “Four hours?”

“We had to pass the time somehow. The little lady couldn’t sleep with all your snoring.”

“I wish I was snoring,” Tate grumbled.

“How did you even get here?” I asked him.

He pointed to Fox. “He choppered me in with Cash.”

“Cash is here?”

“Yeah, he’s in the lower levels with Rafe. I’m assuming he’s beating his ass. He said I wasn’t allowed to come. Then again, maybe they’re bonding. Rightfully so. They’ve been estranged for way too long.”

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