by Cate Beauman
Her money was gone, her academic career potentially lost, and the man she loved didn’t want her in his life. How would she come back from that? Where did she begin?
Hailey glanced at her watch, pressed her lips firm, and looked over her shoulder at Donte’s yacht fading in the distance. “Senor, stop please. We need to turn around. I have to go to the docks.”
The driver glanced in the mirror and sighed, muttered something, then made a u-turn. It was time to take a step, a giant leap, and begin the process of moving on, of rebuilding.
The taxi pulled up to the dock. Hailey paid the driver, grabbed her suitcase, started toward the launch. She recognized Desi by the small powerboat, glanced at his machinegun. She swallowed her unease as she remembered Austin’s questions about the need for such a weapon.
“Hello, Desi. I was wondering if you could bring me out to Donte.”
Desi’s brow shot up. All traces of the gentlemen he’d appeared to be the night she had dinner with Donte were gone.
“It’s very important,” she added.
Desi turned and spoke into his radio in rapid Spanish.
Hailey strained her ears, focusing on his words, only able to pick out a few.
Desi turned back. “Donte will see you. Come.” He took her arm, pulled her onto the boat more than helped her. “Your luggage will stay with me.”
She nodded. “I won’t be staying long in any case. I have a plane to catch.”
The motor rumbled to life and they were off. Hailey pressed her sunglasses more firmly against her nose as the warm breeze rushed up to meet her. She closed her eyes and breathed deep, trying her best to relax her shoulders. She would miss this—the speed, the wind in her hair, the tropical air.
Minutes later, Desi eased back on the throttle, slowing the boat. Hailey opened her eyes. They were almost there. It was time to face Jeremy.
The engine rumbled, idling, as they moved closer before Desi cut it altogether. Waves slapped against the sides, kicking up spray, misting Hailey with small drops as the boat coasted to the slip on the yacht. Another guard grabbed the rope thrown to him and tied off.
Desi turned. “Your purse.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’ve seen me with Donte several times. I’m not going to hurt him.”
He held out his hand. “Your purse.”
With a huff, she handed it over to be searched. Within seconds, her bag was given back. Desi took her arm and shoved her to the platform. Hailey skidded forward and caught herself against the railing.
“Easy there, Desi. That’s my sister you’re roughing up.” Jeremy smiled at her.
She stared at Jeremy, looking her fill at the man who was more a stranger than a brother. He’d entered her life broken and helpless, so precious and sweet when their parents brought him home. Now he was grown and still broken, but no longer helpless, no longer a victim. The man before her was a lie, an insult to the man their parents had wanted him to be.
“I need to talk to you.” She glanced at the three guards standing close. “Alone.”
His smile disappeared. “Okay.” He took her hand.
She pulled hers free. “Don’t. Just don’t.” She couldn’t stand him touching her.
Heat flashed in his eyes as he nodded. “After you,” he gestured grandly, sarcastically, to the upper deck.
Anger built with each step Hailey took as she thought of what she’d lost, of what she still might lose because she’d welcomed him back in her life. When her foot met polished wood, she whirled. “How could you? How could you, Jeremy?”
He crossed his arms. “How could I what?”
She laughed without humor as she stepped back from him. “Where do I start? Lying, stealing, the extensive criminal record you failed to mention. And worst of all…” She caught herself before she blurted out her knowledge of his connection with the Zulas. Something told her that her life depended on staying quiet. She shook her head instead.
“Worst of all, what, Hailey? What?” He advanced on her.
Shaking her head again, she backed away. “Nothing.” Hailey glanced over her shoulder and briefly studied the guards, their machine guns, the ornate ‘ZU’ tattoos on their necks. She looked back at Jeremy to meet his cold stare. What had she been thinking coming here on her own? “Just forget it. I should go.” She moved toward the steps, but Jeremy grabbed her. She cried out from the bite of his fingers against her skin.
“No. You came out here with things to say, so say them.”
“You’re hurting me,” she said between her teeth, more frightened than she wanted to let on. “Let go.” She yanked free and saw bruises already forming.
Jeremy stared at her arm, brushed his fingers through his hair. “Sorry. I’m sorry. You know I have a temper.”
“Save it.” She backed up another step. “There’s always an excuse for your actions, even when they hurt other people.”
“It must be hard being so damn perfect.”
“I’m not perfect, but I’m not a liar either.”
“Neither am I.”
Hailey yanked a paper from her pocket, unfolded it, shoved the page at him. “Let’s start with this. You told me you had a brush with the law over some underage drinking and a bag of pot. I guess you kinda forgot to tell me about the rest.” She pressed her fingers against the throb in her forehead. “Prison. You’ve been to prison. Twice. Twice, Jeremy.”
He shredded the paper, let the wind catch and carry the pieces away. “So what? I did my time. I’ve changed. You see the work I’ve been doing with Donte.”
More lies. “No.” She pointed her finger. “Don’t insult me this way. I’ve been asked to leave Project Mexico because of what you did.”
“What—“
“Shut up.” She couldn’t stand any more deception. Any lingering fear of her brother vanished. “Shut up until I finish. I foolishly thought you came to visit me this week because we were finally getting somewhere. I thought we were regaining some sort of connection, but that wasn’t it. That wasn’t it at all. You used me to steal from the people I lived with, the people I considered my friends.”
He glared, his voice growing quiet. “I didn’t steal from anyone.”
She kept going, full steam ahead, ignoring his denial. “I’m on the verge of losing everything. Everything. Do you get that?” She pushed him back a step. “Austin’s gone. You took every dime I have—had,” she corrected. “I very well may lose all of my college credits because they think I’m a thief.”
Jeremy shook his head as he looked to the sky, smiled. “You’re unbelievable. I’m not doing this with you, Hailey.” He turned and started walking away.
She followed. “You’re right. You’re not. I’m finished. I’m finished with you. You’ve used me for the last time.” Despite everything, it still hurt to say it. Flashes of the small boy gripping her hand in the hospital played through her mind.
He stopped, pivoted around. “Walking away again?”
“Yes. But this time I’m leaving because it’s my choice. It wasn’t before. You don’t get to do this to me anymore—lie, steal, manipulate. I love you, but I’ve had enough—more than enough.”
“You don’t love me,” he smirked. “You love some figment of your imagination—the person you wanted me to be.”
“No, I loved who I knew you could be. We all have choices to make. You made yours, now I’m making mine.”
“Spare me your sanctimonious bullshit, saintly sister.” Shaking his head, he turned and climbed the stairs to the third deck, never looking back.
Her eyes filled as she looked at her brother for the last time. She grabbed the railing, ready to leave.
“Hailey, what a wonderful surprise.” Donte stepped from the dining room she’d eaten in a month before.
“Donte.” She sniffed, blinking back tears as she smiled cautiously, remembering what Austin had told her. Somewhere beneath the handsome, classy exterior lived a brutal monster. She took a step toward the stairs. “I was just leaving. I have a flight to catch.”
“A flight?” He tipped her face to his, concern bright in his eyes. “What do you mean, Hailey?”
She gripped her purse and willed Donte to drop his hand. His touch made her skin crawl. “I’m going back to L.A.”
“But Project Mexico has just begun.”
“I know. It didn’t work out.”
He held her a moment longer before he let go. She glanced at her watch, more than ready to be on the boat back to the dock. “I hate to be abrupt, but I really have to go. My plane leaves in half an hour.” She would be lucky if she made it.
Donte’s brows drew together as he stared into her eyes. “You are troubled, my beautiful friend.”
“No,” she said too sharply, and his frown deepened. “I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “I’m just tired and ready to be home.”
“I have something for you before you go. I know you’re in a hurry, but would you be so kind as to wait? It will only take a moment.”
Why wouldn’t he let her leave? She looked down at the small powerboat, then at Donte. “Okay.”
“Just one moment,” he said as he held up a finger, smiled, and dashed away.
As Donte hurried off, Hailey turned, let out a shuddering breath, and braced her trembling hands on the glossy rail. She had to get out of here. A rush of panic consumed her with her need to be gone.
The buildings of San Miguel were so far away. She wanted to be there, waiting for her plane among the hustle of tourists. It was tempting to rush down the steps and demand Desi take her back, but she doubted he would leave until Donte gave him the okay.
Hailey took a deep breath, growing impatient as one minute turned to two, then three. Where was he? She stepped into the dining area. “Don—“ she stopped abruptly when she heard a woman’s muffled cries and a man shouting through the door.
Hailey took a step back, inching toward the deck. She heard the unmistakable sound of a slap. The man’s voice grew angrier as the woman cried harder. Hailey rushed forward and pressed her ear to the door, listening as the sobbing grew faint. Biting her lip, she turned the doorknob slowly, quietly, peaking down the long hall.
Hailey gasped and stumbled back. She saw one of the missing girls disappear around the corner with... “Mateo,” she whooshed out on a quivering whisper. “Oh God. Oh my God.” She hadn’t recognized his voice. He’d sounded so callous, so cruel. She inched away, terrified he would see her. She needed to get to shore, needed to get help.
When she was far enough from the door, she whirled, hurrying to the deck, all but slamming into Donte. “Oh.” Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a scream. “You scared me.”
Donte took her arms. “Hailey, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost. You’re shaking. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing.” She tried to steady her breathing. “I just need to be on my way. I’m going to miss my plane.”
“We can get you another flight, my love. I want you to meet my father. He was delighted when I told him you stopped by. He’ll be just one more minute.”
Donte touched her again, and she struggled not to cringe and yank away. Each gentle stroke of his finger felt like a snake slithering across her skin. Fear clawed at her until she was certain she would start screaming and not be able to stop. “I’m not feeling well. I need to go, Donte.” She gave a gentle tug, attempting to free herself. “I really need to go,” she repeated. “Perhaps I can meet your father another time.”
His jaw tensed, his eyes challenged. “Will you have lunch with me when I travel to L.A.? I’ll be in the area next week.”
Not on your life, she thought, but she would say whatever he wanted to hear. “Yes. Yes, I would love to.” She yearned to untangle herself, to run down the stairs, but that wouldn’t get her off the yacht. This was a power struggle. She’d more or less told him ‘no.’ It was becoming clear no one told Donte Rodriguez ‘no.’
“Let me walk you to the boat.”
“Thank you,” she said almost desperately as they started down. Hailey’s legs trembled with each weighty step. She was almost there.
“Until next week then.” He kissed her cheek when they stopped by the launch.
She gave him a small smile as he stared at her. If she didn’t find a way to calm down, he was going to figure out she knew something. She struggled to focus on their conversation, on the need to play it out. “Until next week. If your father is still visiting, I would love to have lunch with him as well.”
Donte smiled, relaxed. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Good. Good.”
He took her hand, kissed her knuckles as she stepped on the small watercraft. She struggled with her need to weep with relief as he released her and she took her seat. It was over, finally over. She was free.
“Desi will accompany you to the airport and help you with your bag. He’ll stay with you until you board your flight.”
There was nothing she wanted less. She wouldn’t have time to get help. “Oh, no. That isn’t necessary, Donte. I’ll be fine.”
“It will make me feel better to know you arrived safely. Beautiful women shouldn’t travel alone.”
Another power struggle. “Thank you.”
Desi jumped on the speedboat, his massive weight rocking it slightly. He spared her a glance as he turned over the engine and reversed from the launch. The boat powered forward, picking up speed.
Hailey looked over her shoulder, gave Donte a half-hearted wave. She glanced up as a movement caught her eye on the top deck. Jeremy leaned on the rail, staring down. Hailey dropped her hand and turned away from her brother.
She made it. Hailey sagged against her seat, weak with relief. Closing her eyes, she breathed deep, steadying herself. She needed to think. Lives depended on it. If Donte had one girl, she was sure he had all four.
Hailey pulled her phone from her bag.
Desi turned. “No phones,” he demanded.
She gripped her cell and stared at his unyielding face. “Oh, I’m not calling anyone. I’m just checking to see if my flight’s on time.”
“No phones,” Desi snapped again. He took his hand from the wheel as if he was coming to her seat.
“Okay.” She shoved her cell in her purse and held up her hands. “Okay, sorry.” If he took it, she would lose precious time. Hailey couldn’t shake the sense of urgency as she thought of the girl crying, of the sound of a huge hand cracking against her young, pretty face. They needed help, and they needed it now. She wouldn’t have time to sneak off to the bathroom and call if she wanted to make her flight. The police weren’t an option. Several recent news reports on the island had suggested corruption—and at least one reporter had ended up dead.
She couldn’t make a call now, but she might be able to pull off a text. Hailey trained her eyes forward, sneaking her hand in her purse. Her first instinct was to try Austin, but what if he ignored her message? Instead, she risked scrolling through her contact list until she found Jackson’s number.
Desi turned and Hailey pretended to rummage through her purse. Thinking fast, she pulled out a stick of gum, unwrapped it, and popped it in her mouth. Cold sweat beaded on her skin as he stared at her for what felt like a lifetime. When Desi finally faced the horizon, Hailey let go of the breath she’d been holding and tried again.
She tipped the phone away from the glare of bright sunshine, saw Jackson’s information still displayed and slowly, carefully typed out the message: D yacht. 4 kidnapped. HELP.
Desi whirled. “What are you doing?”
Startled, she gasped. “Nothing.”
Desi let go of the steering wheel and the boat jerked. Her purse went flying. Hailey stared in horror at the phone clutched in her hands.
Desi rushed toward her. “Give me that.”
Hailey pressed send as she got to her feet. She glanced around, instinct urging her to flee, but there was no place to go. Out of options, she stumbled forward and dropped her phone in the sea.
Desi grabbed her arm as she watched her only tie to the outside world sink beneath the water. “You stupid little bitch. What are you up to?”
“Nothing. You scared me. I tripped.” She prayed her message went through. Getting rid of her phone was the only way. If Desi had read what she typed, she was certain he would’ve killed her right then and there. At least now she had a chance.
“I don’t believe you. Sit down.” He shoved her with such force she had to grab hold of the seat or fall out of the boat. “We’re going back. Donte can deal with you.”
“I’ll miss my flight,” she argued, but it would do no good. She stared at the island as the boat zipped in a fast circle. The shore grew more distant by the second.
Her only chance was Jackson—and Austin, she hoped. And herself. Through sheer terror, Hailey reminded herself she was on her—for now. If she could convince Donte that Desi had misunderstood, she might live to see another day. In the meantime, she could do nothing but wait.
Austin waited impatiently for the eleven remaining members of Project Mexico to gather their luggage and head for the sliding doors of the airport. Luck had been on their side when Dr. Lopez rushed into the main house, telling everyone they had ten minutes to finish packing for their three o’clock flight.
Twenty-five minutes later, they finally arrived at Cozumel International. If everyone would hurry the hell up, he might be able to catch Hailey, but it was doubtful. Her plane was due to take off in ten minutes. She was probably already sitting in her seat, buckled and ready to go.
He huffed out a frustrated breath. It was better this way. They had a lot to talk about, and it wasn’t going to happen in ten minutes or less.