A P H

at me, then tosses back the

ore." [Ye

with furrowed brows.

e. My shoulders tense up, and my cheek

t your

oat and the back of my eyes. "Right." I try no

is this assh

I belong here? Is he disgusted by this outfit?

omething Spanish model slash actress. Therefore he

his drink. As I keep my mouth shut, Dominico plops the empty g

d silent as I stare at him, trying my best not

Who here doesn't know

her and second wife who are frequently mentioned in business articles and finance news the p

ough. I'm not sure why this concei

cret? That I've been crushing on him s

m at the country club a few times, but that's it.

inico stares at me again. I want to get off this boat and forget thi

ng at his face, either. "An

looks away and scow

ashing over me when he takes out a

for th

ney he just about tossed beside the napkin I gave him.

hing his money, Dominico smirks at me and

uffle a noisy sigh with my palm while my phone warms up the

nak?" [Wh

o away, and it's not because I'm still on a boat. Or the fact that I just endu

. I'm not marrying that guy...especially after h

ney?" my father mutt

a keep working front desk at the country club for another five years. I have go

nced him I'm not as calm as I'm trying to sound. "Listen. Stop worrying about us. Okay

.." I stifle a sigh. "

. I k

ar, still. I'm hiding behind the bar, sitting alone on the hardwood floor, my bu

hs loudly. "I talked to Ign

d my dad of how much we still owe their local bank. I'll have to sell

checking on the renovations at the clinic, and, y'know, about the loans," my

e?

e planning to go b

it yet." I don't enjoy talking to my parents about their growing debts and financial ch

s and pay for my own tuition. But he'll be relieved to hear that I'm willingly pushing aside

formance this year, they might give me a

rs cr

ize the liquor bottles stacked behind the bar. I like the priv

is hour. It's a relief that he left me

his family's brand new yacht, at that. I'm bummed that our f

o on his father's payroll, and I have a feeling Ignazio sees me the same way...not th

eal job. Some people think Ignazio likes me way more than the other girls, mostly

? Mr. Tomassini knows I d

ess

scribers? Has he seen my racy

en stomach the idea of him paying t

ead. A dull ache persists near my left ear. But thankfully the nausea's

line again. Maybe

es and massage my nape. The pool table still looks messy, but I no longer

around. The two security guards must've l

e seen. They're probably in the private cabins, doing their escort

ghts off. Thank God I don't have

eels heavier as I walk past the dim pool table. Bringing a t

mising at least four hours of sleep if I'm lucky. Aft

d voices echo from somewhere. They're not t

lian. The other one's too muted fo

ike Ignazio's. I just don't know whe

nt chatter, drowning out the ruckus I'm investigating. The

leading to one of the private cabins. This side of the yacht seems qui

the sound of Ignazio swearing. Who is he yelling at? I press my c

o his words. Then a grunt and

, but I'm quite sure he just said he's gonna kill som

o the heck's driving my employer

he exit and pretend I didn't hear anything. But

ut? Why does my boss badly want to

h shut. I slouch beside the closed door, diss

can just act like I'm on my way to the upper decks

t's Ignazio talking again, his voice somewhat calmer.

er guy asks with a sigh. He so

ì." [Th

st leave him out of it, Pappa. He a

definitely Dominico's voice.

th his dad? Why are they a

e seen them on the golf course a few times. I stay put and h

begins ranting in Italian ab

y fuel Ignazio's temper. I cover my mouth when

thing hitting something. It almo

r flies open. The edge almost hits my forehead. I tu

es, and it's definitely his blood running down his pointed nose and pouting mouth. "Cazzo." [Fuck.] H

im. Concern eventually pulls me out of the daze. I step closer

sn't leave. "What're you doing here?" Dominico s

ass. "I... Nothing

t wh

teps out of the cabin with his phone. The man regards me with a look of surprise, most likely u

'm going to bed, Sir.] I try to

to a faint smirk after he checks out my o

y,

wider. The stench of alcohol and cigarettes on his breath mix

e, Dominico glares at his fath

pasta. Ignazio wants me inside the cabin alo

. We had a brief chat

warm hand touches my bare skin. The side of my arm. My back. Then my hip. I flinch when his

ve or say another word. I can't. The wall's right behin

pulls me to him, seizing me away from his father's clutch

I'm coming with

I almost trip when he tugs at my forearm and brings me to the

Dominico's steps, the tense silence whispers urgency a

My heart's racing, and I'm trying not to look too

he cabins. Yet the music remains quite loud, the fun and vibr

's eyes, and he's no longer touching me. Then he lets out a sigh

pt stand next to him with my arms folded over my chest. My skin f

remains unsteady. There's no one else o

ank him? Apologize for eavesd

id, in a way. If Dominico didn't intervene, I w

ke no for an answer. I just don't know exactly

my family o