Before I could start moving, my mother was dragging me towards the window. Undoing the latch, she raised the glass, and Paul coughed as smoke plumed in his face.
“I can’t believe it,” my mother muttered, and Paul considered her with a vaguely disdainful expression before turning to me.
“Come on,” he urged, and I had little choice but to obey as my mother pushed me towards the window. I crawled up on the edge, balancing precariously as Paul handed the rope to me.
“How did you…?” I began uncertainly.
I stared up the length of rope, noting that it seemed to go all the way to the upper deck.
“I’ll explain later! Just climb,” he ordered gently.
In spite of the pain in my hand, I knew if I dawdled much longer, all three of us would suffer the same fate. So, as painful as the sensation of rope against my burned hand was, I began to climb as quickly as I was able.
After a long moment, I felt the tug of the rope beneath me, and looked down to see my mother climbing out the window, aided by Paul. She wheezed, nearly losing her grip.
“Mom!” I cried out, fear lancing through my heart.
“I’ve got her, Ella! Keep climbing!” Paul—or whatever his name was—yelled.
He held my mother in his arms, supporting her weight as he climbed up the rope behind me. Tears filled my eyes, and I had to swallow shrieks of pain each time I raised one hand above the other.
Soon enough, I had made it to the upper deck where the rope was tied off. I had no idea where to go from there, and I simply clung to the rope until Paul and my mom drew nearer.
“We’ll have to cross the upper deck; the lifeboats are on the other side,” he called out, and I gingerly reached out to pull myself onto the deck.
Paul leaped up behind me, managing to push my weak mother up as well. He helped her to her feet, considering me with sadness in his eyes.
“How could you…?” I began, but he shook his head.
“Now’s not the time, Ella. I know I can’t ask you to trust me, not after everything that’s happened. But right now, you just have to listen. We have to cross the deck and jump overboard into the lifeboat that’s waiting below. If we stop or get off track in any way, the deck could collapse beneath us. Whatever happens, keep running. Don’t stop. And whatever you do, when you jump? Don’t look down.”
Looking between him and my mother, I drew in a shaky breath before nodding my head.
“All right,” I breathed.
I turned to face the opposite side of the deck, seeing that most of it was already consumed in flames. There was only a small patch that was still safe to walk on, and we would have to move fast. In spite of knowing I shouldn’t trust Paul, everything within me—my head, and my heart—was telling me to listen to him.
“Ella, honey, you can do it,” my mother urged from behind me, and I noticed just how pale her skin was. She needed medical attention as soon as possible, and I wasn’t doing her any favors dawdling on this side of the ship.
“Follow close behind me, with her,” I ordered Paul, and he nodded without hesitation.
I managed a smile, though it was the last thing I felt like doing. My hand was oozing blood, the pain shooting through it nearly unbearable. It seemed like we were seconds away from being trapped, and I realized then that I could waste no more time.
I lurched across the deck, remaining as light footed as I was able. I barely touched down before springing ahead, the fire-hot wood stinging my bare feet. I could hear Paul and my mother scurrying behind me, and I heard him swear loudly as a cracking sound ripped through the air.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw part of the deck fell away. I screamed as Paul nearly lost his balance, only to catch himself just before falling over the edge. He grabbed my mother once more, darting behind me. I remembered his advice as I grew near the edge of the ship: don’t look down. I could only trust that there was a lifeboat down there somewhere, and not the frigid waters of the ocean.
I came to the edge and jumped with as much strength as I was able. I heard Paul and my mom jump just to the side of me, and squeezed my eyes shut.
Before I knew what was happening, we had crash landed with a thump and a splash. I opened my eyes, relieved to see that we had landed on a life raft. My mother looked at me with wide eyes, and I staggered towards her, pulling her into my arms. We had made it. We had survived.
All because of the conman who had captured my heart.
Chapter Fifteen
Ella
The man I knew as Paul watched me with remorse in his gaze, but I was hesitant to address him. He had saved both my and my mother’s lives, but truthfully I had no idea who he was. His intentions in joining this cruise now seemed obvious; he had been intending to steal from my mother all the while. I still had no idea when he would have had time to steal the flash drive from her, considering most of our time on board had been spent making love.
Had it all been some game to him? Any sane person would come to the conclusion that he was a lowlife, a fraudster, but my heart still longed for him. Talk about desperate. My mother was deep in conversation with him, thanking him for saving our lives while completely oblivious to his actual intent. I had wanted her to like him, and it seemed I had gotten my wish. How ironic that I would now be the one to reveal that it had been his fault we’d nearly died. He’d saved us, yes, but if he hadn’t stolen that goddam drive…
Still, there was a pang in my heart as his eyes traced my face. It looked as if there were so much he longed to say, only he was afraid to say it on this crowded life raft.
I glanced into the distance, where the coast was now visible. It wouldn’t be long before we were on dry land, safe to pursue our futures, whatever they may be. I was troubled by the thought, because on some level, I still longed for that trip to Europe.
In spite of all he had done, in spite of the lies, I loved him. The question simply was whether I truly loved him, or the idea of himself that he had fabricated.
Minutes later, I was dragged from my thoughts as we struck land, and the small group that was gathered on the life raft scrambled out onto dry land. Paul, or whatever his name was, offered me his hand, smiling nervously. I grasped it in my own, familiar jolts of electricity shooting through my body. As we stepped out of the raft, I looped my arm through my mother’s to help her out as well.
As my bare feet touched the warm sand, an abrupt thrill shot through me. Perhaps he had told his share of lies, but if this man truly felt nothing for me, he would have left me to fry. Of that much, I was certain. He would have had little issue selling the stolen usb device if both my mother and I were dead. Who would press charges? He’d kissed that opportunity goodbye when he’d risked his life to save us.
That had to mean something, didn’t it?
“The paramedics will be here soon, Ms. Beck,” one of the crew members informed my mother, and I guided her to a seated position on the ground. She looked worse for wear, but at least she was alive.
I inhaled a shuddering breath, turning to face the man who had stolen my heart.
“Ella, I’m so sorry. You must think—” he began, but I was swift to cut him off.
Overcome with emotion, with the sheer thrill of having survived, I couldn’t resist the desire to kiss those perfectly formed lips, tangle my hands in his sweat-soaked hair. He seemed hesitant to return to embrace, but that suited me just as well. I was content to explore his mouth to my heart’s content.
When my mother cleared her throat behind us, however, I jumped away from him. He had a dazed expression on his face, and God help me, he was such a beautiful bastard.
“You son of a bitch,” I swore angrily, slapping him across the face.
My mother gasped, grasping at my skirt to pull me away from the man who had saved our lives.
“Ella, for God’s sake,” she blurted out, and Paul chuckled weakly, rubbing his reddening cheek.
“No, Martha. I deserved it, and so much more. The truth is, I didn�
�t join the crew simply to serve as an entertainer. I came into some information about your USB drive, and I was…eager to get my paws on it,” he admitted, turning to face me once more.
“But, Ella, I swear to you. You were never part of the plan. I never planned…I never planned to fall in love with you.”
I felt my cheeks redden, the slightest bit of delight welling up within me. There was one more score to settle, however.
“Give my mom back her goddam USB drive, will you? We nearly died looking for the thing,” I demanded, unable to help the iciness from creeping into my tone.
Paul tilted his head curiously, crossing his arms over his chest.
“But I don’t have it,” he said bluntly. “I never took it. After you told me that you wanted to change your fate, I knew that I had no choice but to go straight. I never touched your ma’s goods. Wait, that sounded wrong,” he muttered, making a face.
A laugh bubbled up past my lips, and I shook my head incredulously before pulling him into my arms. I buried my face in his shoulder, pressing tender kisses to the exposed skin there. His skin was covered in smoke and soot, and it wasn’t an appetizing taste, to say the least, but I was more than prepared to kiss every inch of him.
“You…you didn’t take it? You swear? Swear to me, Paul or…whatever the hell your name is,” I demanded.
He quirked a brow, looking more than vaguely bemused.
“I swear to you, little bird. I didn’t take the damn thing. I know I can’t ask you to trust me, but come on, baby. I have to get some lifesaving brownie points or something, right?”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, and I cursed myself for how easily I was overtaken by my own emotions. I kissed him again, desperately clinging to him as if I would die if he slipped away. At that moment, I wasn’t sure I could survive without him. Still, if he hadn’t stolen the USB…
“If you didn’t take it…and I believe that you didn’t. At least, I want to believe it. But if you didn’t take the USB device, where could it have gone? My mother never takes the blasted thing off. Hell, I doubt she even takes it off to shower,” I huffed.
Paul shrugged his shoulders, and I breathed a frustrated sigh. Realizing with a start that my mother had been all too quiet for the past few moments, I turned to check and make sure she was still breathing.
She was alive, all right, though significantly more pale than I remembered. I stepped away from Paul, dropping to my knees in front of her and grasping her hands.
“Mom, Mommy, are you okay? You don’t look so good. God, where are those paramedics?” I wondered aloud, squeezing her hands.
She met my gaze, an inexplicable sadness in her eyes. I parted my lips to ask what was wrong, panic sweeping over me. After all that had happened, she couldn’t die like this. She was too damn tough to die.
I reached out to touch her cheek, and she coughed weakly before clearing her throat.
“Ella, honey…I’m so sorry,” she began, and I felt tears pool in my eyes.
“Mom, it’s okay. Whatever you have to say, it’s okay. Just try to hold on until the paramedics get here,” I said desperately.
Her sadness shifted to confusion, and she quirked a brow.
“Jesus Christ, Ella. I’m not dying. You’re so melodramatic,” she groaned, drawing me into her arms.
“If you’re not in pain or… Well, if you’re okay, why do you look so troubled?” I demanded.
She hesitated, looking as if she would like nothing more than to bolt from the scene. Just to ensure she did no such thing, I tightened my grip on her. She frowned, trying to shake off my hands.
“Darling, I told you, I’m fine. It’s just…” She paused, glancing between me and Paul. She chuckled weakly, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Funny thing is, um, I can confirm that your little lover boy didn’t steal my flash drive. I, uh…” She paused, eyes darting to and fro.
“Mom,” I began, my voice dangerously low.
“See, the thing is, Ella, after we had our…disagreement last night, I was up all night, thinking about what you said. I decided to take a dip in the pool this morning, to relieve some stress, just before everything got out of control. I had forgotten up until this very moment, but I, uh…” She paused again, her voice strained.
Paul stepped up beside me, crossing his arms over his chest. While I knew I looked prepared to strangle my mother for what she was about to say, he had the nerve to look entertained.
“Go ahead and spit it out, Martha. I won’t let her hurt you…too much.”
My mother narrowed her eyes at him. Then, she exhaled a defeated sigh and shrugged her shoulders.
“I took the flash drive off before getting in the pool. I must have left it on the table there,” she admitted reluctantly.
My eyes widened, and the desire to strangle her came on even stronger. I actually raised my hands, but Paul rested his hand on my shoulder, drawing me away from her and towards his chest.
“I can’t…I can’t believe,” I sputtered out.
My mother shifted away, obviously eager to make her escape. I narrowed my eyes at her, pointing an accusing finger in her direction.
“We nearly died looking for that damn thing! And you left it at the pool? Of all the ridiculous…” I trailed off, noting the tears shining in my mother’s eyes.
Paul tightened his grip on me, drawing back to look me in the eyes. His expression was stern, and before I could offer an apology on my mother’s part, he spoke.
“Ella, don’t be too hard on your mother. She’s made her mistakes, but we all played our part in what happened today,” he said calmly.
I hesitated, looking towards my mom. Her shoulders shook with sobs, and it was the most human I had ever seen. She was normally cold and callous, caring only about herself, but it was obvious that she was deeply troubled by what had happened. I sighed, the anger flowing out of me as I realized Paul was right.
We had all had our fair share of screw-ups; the important thing was that we were alive, and Paul was not the traitorous scumbag I’d feared him to be.
Chapter Sixteen
Ella
There was tension in the air as I sat down in the sand beside my mother. She rubbed her eyes, obviously trying to hide the evidence that she had done something as sappy as shedding a tear. I reached down to grab her hand, and she glanced at me from the corner of her eye. Paul sat at my side, drawing his knees up to his chest. The air of melancholy that surrounded us was thick enough to cut with a knife.
While I was reluctant to take the blame for what had happened on the ship, I knew I couldn’t blame the entire situation on my mother. It was understandable that she might have been addled and flustered with the way I’d been acting. I wouldn’t apologize for wanting to take control of my future, but I certainly could have gone about telling her in a better way.
It was clear that Paul was suffering, too. I could see that the guilt of his charade weighed heavily upon him, and much as I wanted to reassure him that he had no reason to feel badly, I couldn’t find it within me to lie. He had played his part in this disaster just as much as my mother and I had.
I wished there was something I could say to clear the air, something to dispel the bad energy that surrounded us. My mom was looking a bit better, though it was obvious she needed to be seen by a doctor. The pain from my burned hand had abated slightly, due in no small part to it going numb. My mom examined the wound, her expression tense.
Suddenly, she breathed a laugh, leaning past me to look at Paul.
“I’ve just realized that your abilities as a performer might have more use than I originally thought,” she said, smiling. “After all, you couldn’t have saved us from the fire without your acrobatic tricks,” she continued.
Paul looked taken aback, eyes wide as he met my mother’s gaze.
“Th-thank you?” he sputtered out, and my mother rolled her eyes.
“Oh, just take the compliment. It’s not like I commented on your body or something. Granted,
it is rather…pleasant,” she hummed.
Paul reddened, and in spite of myself, I couldn’t stop the laughter that erupted from me.
“God, Mom,” I blurted, admonishing her even though I was appreciative of her efforts to clear the air. She managed a little smile in return, turning her attention to me once more.
“As for you, young lady…I must commend you on your taste. I might not be one for circus folk, but if I were…” She paused, winking at both me and Paul. He looked mildly horrified, and another laugh spilled past my lips.
After a moment, my mom seemed to grow serious again; though the air of melancholy had dissipated, it was obvious that the three of us had a lot to discuss.
“I want to apologize, Ella. For…everything,” my mother murmured. She rolled her eyes, fidgeting uncomfortably. “I’m not the sort to admit when I’m wrong. I know that’s no secret. The way I’ve treated you, however, is entirely and unforgivably wrong. I’m sorry that I’ve been such a terrible mother to you, all these years. I’m sorry that it took the two of us nearly dying for me to see what…well, what a bitch I’ve been.”
My eyes widened, and shock washed over me in waves. Was my mother actually apologizing? My mother had never apologized to anyone in her entire life, and in spite of my desire to milk the situation for all it was worth—and God was it worth a lot—I knew it wasn’t the time to be smug.
I leaned in to grab my mother in a hug, burying my face in her shoulder. She gently stroked my hair, and for once it felt like we were a normal mother and daughter. It felt as if the years we’d been at odds were slipping away. I knew it would take more than a simple apology to make up for the damage done, but it was a step in the right direction.
“You’re not a bitch, Mom…you just wanted what was best for me,” I replied.
“Oh, please, Ella. Bitch is putting it lightly. While I wanted the world for you, it was never up to me to decide exactly what was best. For some time, I just thought you were stuck in some teenage rebellious phase. I thought you were just trying to hurt me. I see now that I was the one causing all the pain,” she said.
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