If You Take My Hand (Beachside Sweet Romantic Suspense Book 1)

by Rimmy London

  “If you’re going to pull your weapon, aim it immediately. Don’t look around for a target before finally pulling your weapon up, it makes no sense. Once you’re ready to shoot, you can pivot in any direction and fire on someone in a split second.” I nodded apprehensively, not expecting the shooting lessons. He pivoted quickly a few times, looking completely in control.

  “Huh,” I tried to imagine pulling a gun from the small of my back and actually firing on someone.

  “Now, let’s have you practice.” Givanni stepped forward, handing me my gun. Feeling more awkward than I should with my own pistol in my hand, I looked into Givanni’s face and my arm dropped loosely to the side. “I don’t… ”

  Shaking his head quickly he stepped forward, grabbing hold of my hand and pulling it up. “No. You can’t think about it. This is you saving your own life, don’t think about anything else.” I nodded back, stepping out into a wider stance and using both hands to steady the gun. “Now, try pivoting a couple times, and when you face a new direction immediately aim at something specific.” I tightened my grip, spinning on one foot and picking out random landmarks to aim at. First the distant crest of a wave, and then the trailing wake behind us. Finally, I aimed at a seagull, following it through the sky for a couple seconds.

  “Good! You tracked your target with your whole body. That was good.” I glanced back, letting my arms relax. Even though I felt strange pointing my gun at the sea and a random bird, I did feel more comfortable with it in my hands. I moved toward my bag.

  “Hold on, why don’t you try aiming and pivoting again?” I paused with my back to him, wishing I could just curl up and sleep. But I knew he was trying to help, so I took my stance. Turning around I aimed at the wake. The sight of Givanni aiming back at me with a gun in his hands was such a shock that I dropped my gun and staggered back. He lowered his arms, and I felt the blood drain from my cheeks. I sunk into the captain’s chair. There was clearly no way I would stand a chance. Aiming at passing seagulls, fine, but defending myself against someone intent on killing me? I sighed, keeping my eyes locked on the small silver pistol on the floor and feeling tears pool in my eyes. I couldn’t help but imagine the men who had taken away my freedom so quickly. They were terrifying.

  “I’m sorry, it probably isn’t the best time for this.” Givanni placed his hands on my shoulders and lowered down in front of me. “I just need you to be able to defend yourself. I can’t always be…”

  “Givanni,” I whispered, letting him hear all the fear I had just felt. “I’m so afraid it will happen a-gain.” My breath sucked in as I looked into his eyes, feeling hopeless. Concern creased his face as his hands rubbed my arms.

  “It won’t, Ella. It won’t happen again. Trust me, you are no longer who they will be looking for.” I glanced up, measuring his face for a moment.

  “But Givanni, why were they looking for me in the first place? If Shellbrook is their target, what use am I?” Givanni looked uncomfortable and glanced at Max, who was pretending not to be listening to every word.

  “I suppose that depends on who was in the helicopter. I believe they were just as much prisoners as you were. I’m guessing it was someone with a conscience who would react to seeing you so vulnerable like that. A politician maybe - or a cop they want on their side?” He studied my eyes again, and I thought about his assumptions. Maybe I was just an easy target to inspire pity and fear, someone who wouldn’t be immediately missed. Someone alone. “But don’t worry,” Givanni continued. “They won’t be looking to try that again. Their plans weren’t exactly successful today.” His deep eyes looked steadily back, perhaps seeing the fear that still coated my insides. “Trust me,” he whispered, but when he reached for my wrists he stopped abruptly. “Your wrists. Come with me.”

  He towed me below deck. When he’d filled a bowl with warm water we sat across a small table. I held out my hands like they were objects I wasn’t used to having attached to me. Givanni was all concentration and quietly removed each bandage without a pinch or pull. Amazed, I wondered if doctors were just in too much of a hurry, that maybe they could all be this painless if they took the time. I stared down at the now soggy-looking scabs, embarrassed by their hideousness.“They really don’t hurt much anymore,” I said hopefully. Givanni nodded, his attention at my wrists.

  “Let’s see those hands,” he said quietly, taking mine in his and submerging them together in the warm water. A strange smell stung my nose, and I assumed he had thrown a few medical remedies into the mysteriously soothing pool. His hands held mine under the water while his fingers rubbed lightly at each bubbled scab. The water became tainted, its clear blue color swirling with dark stains. I swallowed, a little repulsed, but he didn’t seem affected. Lifting his hands, he let the water drip from his fingertips before reaching for a towel and placing it in front of me. “Here you go.” He lifted the bowl away and I stared down at my wrists, amazed. The cuts looked a hundred times better, more closely resembling a bad rug burn.

  “Thank you,” I mumbled, running a light hand over the wounds. Standing over the sink with soapy hands and wrists Givanni winked, looking very proud of himself. My lips twitched. “My skin really heals quickly,” I teased, waiting for him to interject. Rubbing his hands with a towel, he took a second to respond.

  “Well, really, it would have taken longer. I had to…” Catching sight of my grin he stopped, his lips pressing together to keep from smiling. Throwing the towel at me he abandoned his explanation and headed back up the stairs, but I heard his huffed laughter once he reached the top.

  Chapter 8

  With my cuts feeling manageable I wandered up to the deck. I was exhausted and exhilarated at the same time, life offered up to me again like a delicacy after the famine. Max was still speeding us in a straight line toward some point on the horizon that to me looked identical to every other point on the horizon. Givanni appeared more relaxed than I had seen, kicked back on the padded bench seats. Glad that I didn’t have to worry about directions I sat down next to Max while directing my question at Givanni.“So how long will we be…” I paused, wondering if driving was the right word. Probably not. Sailing? That didn’t sound right either. I started over. “How long will it take to get…” I wondered if I should just stop trying, I didn’t even know where we were headed. Certainly, we weren’t taking this boat to Italy. Hearing a creaking in the floorboards I looked back at Givanni, seeing that he had stood and was stretching with a loud yawn. Trying not to be too impressed with the scene in front of me I waited for some type of an answer.

  “Not long,” he said in a gust as he exhaled, turning toward me. Taking hold of my arm he waited for me to stand before towing me with him.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, laughing. He pulled back on the throttle and the boat responded obediently. Max looked up but after a glance at his friend, he leaned back in his chair. “Is there something wrong?” I questioned, not feeling like Givanni’s pleased face quite matched that scenario. He towed me to the front of the boat, in the center of a half circle of blue cushions.

  “Well, yes. There is something wrong.” I raised one eyebrow at him, waiting for the punchline. I highly doubted something was wrong since he could hardly wipe the smile from his face. He leaned in, his mockingly serious face inches from mine. “We need to take advantage of this ocean.” With that he bent down, wrapping both arms tightly around my waist and pinning my arms as well. He stood and lifted me off the floor. I laughed, trying to squeeze my arms out of his grasp. Not until he stepped up onto the cushioned seat did I realize what his plan was.

  “No! Gi-van - don’t!” I struggled harder, my new leather flip-flops sliding from my feet and slapping against the blue seats. Leaning to the side, he looked at my sandals.

  “Perfect!” he laughed, finally stepping onto the edge of the boat and turning so his back was to the ocean. He looked into my eyes, and I tried my hardest to make a serious face.

  “Let me down,” I said. My face cracked into l
aughter as I felt him falling backward, and I tightened my grip on his back, screaming when we hit the water. The cool rush of ocean cleared my head, wiping away the fear that hung onto me like a film I couldn’t remove. Givanni released me and I tucked my feet in, pushing against his chest and propelling myself upward. Givanni’s surprised face broke the surface a moment after mine.

  “Remind me not to rescue you from drowning,” he teased, rubbing his chest dramatically. Smoothing my hair back I kicked against the ocean and stretched out into a comfortable freestyle stroke. The water felt perfect, cool and deep with the sun warming my bare arms and legs as I swam. My wrists tingle mildly, but the cuts felt like they were covered with protection as if they were halfway healed already. Reaching the end of the boat I flipped over, continuing to glide through the water on my back. My submerged ears silenced any sound but the loud rush of breath through my lungs. I passed Givanni’s face, his silhouette shading me from the sun. His lips moved silently and I flipped my feet down, lifting my head out of the water.

  “What?” I asked, shaking my head to clear the water from my ears.

  “You seem pretty confident in the water.” He paused before continuing, looking guilty. “I didn’t really think about whether you could swim or not until I was already under. I guess you can.” I laughed at that, wondering why he would ever think I might not know how to swim.

  “C’mon I’m from California, of course I know how to swim.” He thought about that for a second before shrugging his shoulders, making the water slosh around him.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Maybe I would be a better swimmer if I had grown up here too.” Not able to believe what I had just heard I stared at him in astonishment. He looked a little defensive and I laughed out loud.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I stammered between breaths, trying to explain myself. “I just can’t even imagine you not being amazing at something. It just doesn’t even seem possible.”

  He smiled back at me, shaking his head. “You think way too much of me, Ella.” Reaching for the small ladder hanging from the side of the boat Givanni pulled himself to it, sitting on the bottom step. I pushed myself through the water, hovering closer to him.

  “Well, really your range of talents is pretty amazing. Now can I hang onto that ladder before I drown?” I huffed. He left one foot on the ladder and lifted his body from the ocean. I tried not to notice how his features looked with a sheen of water over them.

  “After you,” he said all politeness. Pulling myself up I stopped when I felt the water suck any air from my shirt, leaving it clinging to me. I looked at Givanni nervously. He glanced down into the ocean.“What? What is it?” he was practically pushing me up the ladder. I laughed, feeling very shallow for apparently being the only one who noticed that type of thing.

  “Is Maxium on deck?” Givanni stared back clearly confused, and I threw one hand in the air. “You don’t think I look maybe the tiniest bit inappropriate?” I pointed to my shirt, and his eyes trailed down slowly before stopping, his lips forming a silent ‘Oh.’

  “I’d offer you my shirt, but I’m not wearing one,” he whispered, grinning.

  “Yeah, I know that,” I mumbled, watching his eyebrows pull together. Deciding he didn’t need to figure my comment out I pointed to the deck again. He stepped up one rung, peering over the side.

  “You’re fine,” he whispered. “Max is on the night watch, so he will most likely sleep a few hours.” Having started up the steps, I turned my head so fast that my hair whipped around, smacking Givanni in the face. Grimacing, I smoothed my hair back awkwardly.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled, hurrying on to my question. “We aren’t docking? Where are we? When will we dock?” He wiped his hand over his eyes to clear away the seawater and smiled pleasantly, gesturing to the stairs.

  “That’s a lot of questions. How about I answer them over dinner?”

  Once on deck, I felt my stomach growl. “That sounds great. Sitting down doesn’t sound so bad either.” I sank into the blue foam cushioned seats, leaning back and kicking my feet up. Water streamed from my clothes. “I’m exhausted,” I breathed, closing my eyes. I listened as Givanni kicked back on the opposite end of the cushioned half circle, trying not to imagine him while enjoying the warmth on my face. The sunshine sunk in like a friend with comforting words and soothed me into stillness. But comfort has a way of inviting danger, like leaving a gate open. It wanders in. And my dreams were no exception.

  Shooting up from the cushions I gasped, pushing myself away from where he had been. The man in the white suit. His flattering voice had seemed so real, I could still hear it in my head. The sun had dipped into the ocean, leaving a fading trail of light behind it. I saw Maxium standing next to the captain’s chair, bent forward with one hand lingering on the back.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, walking a couple steps and pausing. Taking one last breath I nodded, my stiff hair feeling full of salt. I gathered up the strands, wrapping a hairband around the messy bundle and hoping it was at least a small improvement. As I passed Max he looked up, setting down a hefty book. “There’s dinner downstairs in the half-fridge. Van tried to wake you, but I guess you were pretty out,” he said. I wondered how hard he had tried. I was not in any way a heavy sleeper, and it was hard to imagine not waking up to the sound of Givanni’s voice. Maybe he had just felt bad about disturbing me.

  Max yawned. “Don’t worry about waking him - Van sleeps like a log when he gets the chance.” I thanked him and walked down the steps and into the cabin. A small bulb above the stove provided just enough light to keep from colliding with anything, and I inched the fridge door open, keeping an eye on Givanni’s silhouette on the top bunk. A small piece of paper was taped to a plastic wrapped plate, and I whispered the inscription, smiling. “Loriel’s dinner.” The massive salad was piled with a variety of colorful vegetables and grilled strips of chicken. I sat down quickly, pulled out a fork, and devoured half the plate before looking up. Finally pausing, I swallowed my delicious bite of romaine and croutons drizzled with creamy dressing. With my fork in the air, I listened to Givanni’s breath as the air hissed through his teeth. He spoke, disturbing the silence with a mumbling of Italian. I stood from the table, hesitating. Feeling like an intruder, I still couldn’t ignore the obvious nightmare, and I stepped onto the bottom bunk. Pulling myself up I was inches from his head and the clean fragrance of his disheveled hair. My hand lingered in midair before I completed the distance, tapping his bare shoulder. He flipped to his side, and I swayed back at the closeness of his face, the muscles in his jaw contracted. Hesitating, I finally placed one hand on his cheek. His eyes were closed, his breathing still strained.

  “Givanni,” I whispered, my voice like a bombshell in the silent cabin. His eyes flew open and I leaned back a little, smiling. Bright even in the faint light his eyes never moved from mine, simply staring with their unnerving clarity. I couldn’t tell if he was awake or asleep but as I stepped down he reacted, catching my hand and pinning it to his chest.

  “No,” he breathed, his eyes closing and voice smothered in rich Italian tones. “Stay for a moment.” In the next instant he was asleep, his breath deep. With my hand pressed to his warm chest, I tried to calm my racing pulse. If Maxium came down the stairs I would have some explaining to do. And although he would likely find the whole situation hilarious, I doubted Givanni would. Managing to twist my hand, I slid it out of his arms as delicately as I could - and a bit grudgingly. I stepped down, the arch of my foot aching from being pressed to the headboard for so long. Wishing he was awake, I watched his silhouette in a peaceful rest. I shifted from one foot to the other with anxieties bunching up in my head. Conceding to his sleep I headed up top.

  Max looked at ease in the captain’s chair, a map spread across the opposite seat. As I walked forward he pulled the map from the chair and folded it. “Have a seat,” he said, still gazing out at the ocean. The cooling breeze and silent night surrounded me as I stared ahead. He st
udied me for a moment before a loose smile lifted his mouth. “What do you want to know?” he asked. My lips pulled up at the ends, but the expression was fleeting.

  “I just never had the chance to ask Givanni when we would be docking.”

  “In the morning,” he answered. “We are scheduled for a flight at three in the afternoon out of a small airport in the northern tip of California.”

  “And we will be flying into Sicily?” I asked. He turned, looking at me full-on, his eyes flat black against the darkening sky. Turning to the ocean he continued, his voice noticeably tenser. No, not tense… honest. He was leaving off the candy coating that everyone seemed to think I needed. “No, not into Sicily,” he stated. “We will all be arriving separately and scattered throughout the center of Italy, with the exception of you and Van. You have a pretty solid alibi. He is here to attend a wedding, and… you’re going with him.” I wondered if the editing I detected was real or just my imagination, but before I could ask he threw an overstretched smile at me. “Pretty convenient, really. It has been scheduled for a year and will be completely authentic.”

  I felt a little confused, lifting one hand up and waving it in the air, stopping him.“So,” I failed to keep the mocking tones from my voice, “we’re going to a wedding?” His laugh escaped in one breath before he was serious again.

  “You are coming to Italy for a wedding. That is a totally normal, understandable, and not in any way suspicious thing to do.”

  I nodded, shrugging my shoulders. “But is that really going to fool anyone?”