Page 109 of Bitter Prince

Phoenix nodded. “That’s right. We’ll kill him.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” I said wryly, signing at the same time. “Because he never will.”

Deep down, I knew Amon was the one man who life would continue to steer me toward. He was my kryptonite.

Once the girls were done teasing me about Amon, they moved on to other topics, then made their way to the top deck. Raven retrieved a sketchbook out of who knew where and started drawing. Athena had her trusty leatherbound notebook and was probably scribbling some sexy scenes or scenarios for her next book.

Phoenix and Isla relaxed on the couch. The two of them truly loved the music, while the rest of us attended the arts college to fulfill a promise or make someone happy. In Raven’s and Athena’s case, it was their mothers. I guess it was in my case too.

The sun was low, and the light hitting the coastline as we gently swayed in the water made my heart twist in contentment. I found myself longing for this exact feeling for the rest of my life. Happiness.

I headed toward the separate deck, leaving the girls to chill.

The gentle breeze coming off the sea was warm and pleasant. I could hear the girls splashing in the pool, laughing and squealing. Dante was probably in his room. Something was off about him and Phoenix. I didn’t know what, but I could all but taste the tension brewing between them. The only thing I couldn’t distinguish was whether it was good or bad.

Up on the top deck, I watched the sun hover over the horizon. It almost felt like a different world up here. I stared at the front of the yacht, cutting into the waves. Every so often, the splash was big enough and droplets of the sea would make it onto my skin, sending a chill through me.

I heard Amon coming down the stairs, and something inside me relaxed at his proximity.

“Having a good day?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I let my eyes travel over his tall frame. It was the first time since we were children that I could remember him wearing shorts. White, top-of-the-line golf shorts and his signature black T-shirt, giving me a full view of his biceps.

“Are you checking me out?”

The corners of my lips tugged up. “I can admire my boyfriend.” His hands wrapped around me and I leaned into his warmth. I turned to face the horizon, loving the feel of his chest against my back. “I hope it’s okay that my friends are crashing on your boat too.”

“Of course. You’re a package deal, I get that. But if they shadow us too much, I might have to get another boat to follow behind and separate us.”

I twisted slightly, locking my eyes with his. “You’re joking, right?” He shook his head wordlessly, the look in his eyes telling me he was dead serious. “Impressive,” I muttered, wondering how deep he really was in the criminal world.

He called me out on it. “You don’t sound all that impressed.”

I shifted again, debating whether I should be honest, but then I had been honest with him so far and he liked it, so I might as well continue.

“So business in the underworld is good for you, huh?”

I felt him tense behind me, but he didn’t pull away.

“It’s lucrative, but that’s not the only way I make money.” When I didn’t say anything, he continued, his chest rumbling against my back. “I have quite a few hotels, clubs, casinos, and ports. But yes, the capital I earn from the underworld helped to kickstart my legitimate businesses.”

I remained silent, unsure whether to condone it or not. I’d seen and heard about a few dealings with my papà. None of them were pleasant. The surveillance footage of what happened to Amon in my grandmother’s Malibu home came back with a vengeance, and I shuddered.

“You don’t like it.” It wasn’t a question or an angry statement.

I twisted around to face him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “It’s dangerous.”

“So are many other professions.” I rolled my eyes. “There are no guarantees in life.”

“I know.” Then, because I didn’t want to talk about the underworld, I switched subjects. “Where did you go to college?” When I considered that maybe he didn’t, my cheeks stained red. “Did you—”

He chuckled. “Cambridge.”

My eyes widened. “Get out.”

“If I must—”

He feigned being dismissed, then barely shifted when I yanked him back to me. “Don’t you dare leave. I was just surprised. You must be super smart.”