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I had to get the hell out of here.
“We’ve arrived,” Max looked at me in the rearview mirror as the car rolled to a stop at the marina and I hadn’t even noticed.
Thank God.
I cleared my throat. Things had gotten far too intense, far too quickly.
“Tris, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I didn’t risk looking at her. I just shoved the door open and climbed out of the car, and swung the door shut behind me. I moved up to the front passenger side and tapped the roof twice. Max lowered the window. “Take her home.”
“You got it.” He didn’t give me shit or a judgmental look, he simply nodded and pulled away from the curb.
I could hear Trissa’s protests as the window slid up. She didn’t know it, but I just did her a big favor.
The truth was, I’d actually done myself the favor. I didn’t want her to see what I’d become or what was about to go down.
A golden glow from the setting sun gleamed off the hull of Titania. The forty-meter Sunseeker could do up to twenty-five knots. She was my pride and joy—I fucking loved that thing.
I walked over to the marina gate, entered the code, and hustled down the ramp and onto the dock.
Loud rock music drifted across the water. The closer I got to the boat, the louder it became.
Time to put on my mask. I’ve got a part to play at these things.
I stopped at the bottom of the gangway where a security detail was positioned.
“We’ll head out in about fifteen minutes.” I wrapped my hand around the rail.
“Of course, Mr. Hook.” Jeff was the head of security. “I’ll send a text just before the boat is ready to launch.”
“Thanks, Jeff.” I clapped him on the back and strode up the ramp.
My foot barely touched the deck when I was swarmed by a crowd of people, all wanting a piece of me.
Jeff made a move toward the gangway, as if to come to my aid, I held up my hand, gave him a slight head shake, and he resumed his position.
Let the show begin.
I plastered on my trademark devil-doesn’t-give-a-shit grin, ignoring the hollowness I felt inside. These people weren’t here because they were my friends. They were all here for one reason—they wanted something from me. Most nights, I didn’t mind playing along. Tonight, I’d have to work extra hard at maintaining the façade.
“Hi, handsome.” A familiar voice whispered across my ear as fingernails skimmed up my arm and to my nape, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“Hey gorgeous.” I turned my head and locked lips with Eva. “Glad to see you got my invite.”
Beautiful, willing, and utterly uncomplicated. Eva was the perfect distraction. She and I had a standing arrangement—when I wanted some company, all I had to do was call her and she’d show up. But even as her tongue danced with mine, I had to blink away an unbidden image of Trissa that flashed through my mind.
“It was very last minute, Killian.” She pouted while playing with the collar of my shirt. “I had to cancel other plans to be here.”
“Later when we’re alone,” I nibbled at the curve of her neck. “I’ll show you how much I appreciate your willingness to indulge me.”
Later. When I was flying high and could pretend she was someone else.
“That works for me, baby.” She bit her lip and smiled coyly.
“I need to be a good host and say hello to people.” I unwrapped her arms from around my neck and stepped back. “I’ll find you later.”
“Um, sure.” A flash of disappointment appeared in her eyes, but she just nodded. “I’ll go hang out with the girls.”