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His yacht is huge.

Extremely huge.

More mansion on water than boat.

Gold and silver decorations adorn the triple-decker luxury yacht, where there’s a stage for R&B sensation Lyric to perform live. There’s a DJ and a dance floor for party guests to get down. There’s a gourmet buffet and a giant chocolate fondue in the shape of the numbers thirty-two, Jayla’s new age.

Bottles pop and alcohol flows freely.

Fireworks explode in the sky, dotting it with thousands of glittery sparks.

Jet skis whiz by on the dark water courtesy of Rafael—any guest can hop on one and ride them.

It’s like an amusement park for adults as I sip on champagne and watch two of Jayla’s friends from cosmetology school having the time of their life to the music the DJ player’s remixing.

The yacht is swarming with everyone Jayla wanted on the guest list.

And others—people who work for Rafael and the crew of men who seem to go wherever he goes. The men he’s told me are his security.

It’s a word I can’t help finding suspicious in light of what Jayla said yesterday.

But it seems like, in typical Jayla fashion, my cousin-turned-adopted-sister has forgotten all misgivings she claimed to have. She’s wearing a sparkling birthday crown worthy of a queen with her third cocktail in her hand as she flirts shamelessly with none other than Adagio.

“You owe me a dance,” he teases, flashing a handsome grin. It pairs nicely with his bright blue eyes.

Jayla gives a coy smile in response and says, “More like you owe me dinner.”

He chuckles. “You’d have to pick up my calls first.”

“I’m a busy woman.”

“I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

Jayla’s tipsy giggle is melodic as she finally gives in a little and let’s Adagio take her by the hand and guide her toward the front of the yacht where they can watch the firework show.

Andhave a little more privacy.

I’d be cheering her on, practically kicking my feet in excitement if I weren’t so in my head.

Here I am, aboard a yacht worth millions of dollars, for the amazing party my billionaire boyfriend threw my sister, and yet I can’t stop overanalyzing. I can’t stop seeing clues in everything surrounding me, wondering if maybe the truth has been in front of my face the entire time.

Rafael is associated with the mafia.

“Dolcezza,” he hums, coming up from behind. He wraps his arms around my hips and presses a kiss into the side of my neck. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I struggle putting on a smile. “I guess I wandered off…”

“Wandered off or playing hard to get? You know how much I enjoy when you make me work for it. It’s always so fucking good when I finally get you to give in.”

He utters these words into my ear in a growly whisper that sends a vibration of lust quaking through me. I find myself breathless and hot just that quickly.

Memories of recent nights are too fresh to ignore. They linger at the forefront of my mind as soon as he starts touching me.

Until now I never understood what people meant when they claimed they couldn’t resist someone. I didn’t get couples who said they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

Lincoln hadn’t ever made me feel that way. Neither had any other man I’d dated.

But Rafael has changed that for me. He’s a drug I didn’t know I’d become addicted to.