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“You still play with your hands when you’re nervous. At least some things haven’t changed.”

Even though I was expecting him, I recoiled. It was an instinctual reaction, but one I regretted. Lifting my chin, I thrust my shoulders back. “Owen.”

He stood to my right, arms spread wide. “What, no hug for me, even after I came such a long way to visit?” He tsked, dark eyes mocking. “Anne-Marie Genter, I know your dad taught you more manners than that. First, you take off without so much as a goodbye, and now you don’t welcome me, even though we used to dowaymore than hug.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, squeezing. “Enough, Owen. What do you want? Why are you here?”

He tucked his hands in his jeans pockets, a dark brown leather jacket hanging open over his black shirt. He wore boots that made me think of riding behind him on his motorcycle, back when I hadn’t known what he was. Who he really was. That knowledge colored how I viewed him now. He used to take my breath away – all dark brooding eyes and wicked grins. Now he just turned my stomach.

“Trust you to bail on your family and still land in clover, Princess. I hear your new island is a hotbed of activity from across the border.”

“I have no part of that,” I said tightly.

“You sure about that, Princess? Word is you’re quite connected locally. And it’s a small island, baby girl.”

“I’m doing you the courtesy of hearing you out. State your business or leave. Preferably the latter.” The words came out serrated, forced through gritted teeth. My hands clenched in my lap.

He knew exactly how to get under my skin. But I couldn’t afford to do anything foolish.

“It’s cute, you know. How you thought you could hide from us.”

I tensed. Had they really known where I was the entire time? I’d been so careful. Changing my identity took time. I really thought I’d covered my tracks, leaving Anne-Marie Genter and all of her mistakes behind.

“I’ll admit we weren’t sure until that body dropped at the cove. Did you know it made regional news? You weren’t named, but like I said, the family’s been keeping its eye on this place. Detroit always needs new routes between us and the Great White North.” He gave me his plastic smile, the one I used to think was sincere. “I bet you know some boat captains you can introduce me to, hm?”

“I don’t.” I forced a smile. It probably looked as fake as his. “I stay off the water these days.”

“Too bad. We used to have some fun out on the lake. Not gonna lie, Princess. You were my favorite cover.”

I shuddered. I hated that he’d used me. That my family had used me.

“There’s nothing for you here, Owen.”

“Aw, that’s not true. Your dad sent me scouting. Figured you’d know the best spots, since this is your new home. I don’t need much. Just an introduction.”

“The last thing I want is to get one of my friends involved in your mess.” I let the disgust drip from every word. Now that I didn’t have to pretend not to know the score, there was no reason to spare his feelings.

Owen lifted a shoulder. “Give me an enemy then. I’m not picky.”

“What I’ll do is give the sheriff a hot tip.”

His smile turned ugly. “Now, I wouldn’t do that, Princess. He’d be mighty interested to know more about your past. You’re not the only one with a cell phone and a local law enforcement number.” He spread his arms wide. “But I’m a reasonable guy. I’ll give you a little time to think about it. Pick the perfect patsy.”

He faded into the night, my lingering sense of disgust the only sign he’d ever been there.

I stumbled back up the hill, barely aware of the cars or people around me. The world had become hazy. I’d escaped my familyonce, but it had taken nearly everything I had. The idea of disappearing again, after all the work I’d put into my new life made tears well until my eyes were glossy and everything around me blurred.

Hot, stinging tears fell as I approached our driveway. I stumbled to the cold firepit, collapsing into one of the chairs, and let the sobs come.

Big, racking, choking breaths shook me. I didn’t want to leave the island. My friends. Drew. I’d found something that was good and mine. It was supposed to be free of my family’s taint. They’d polluted every memory of my former life. I could never be sure who was friend and foe back in Detroit. Not after they used me.

I’d been their sweet little Princess on her sailboat, taking day trips into Canada with her boyfriend.

Had my mother known they were using me to transport drugs? Surely, my father knew. He employed Owen. I’d been barely out of school, eager to help with the family shipping business. Dad had given me a low-level accounting job in the office.

My life had been perfect. Until I learned the truth.

Did they even know how far I’d taken my revenge? I bit my lip, worrying the tender flesh. I’d been too scared to search for headlines, wary of triggering any countermeasures they had in place to find me.