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The back of her head burned; he had to be behind her. She scooted her feet under her and rested back against the lounger. She’d only been out an hour and the skin on her thigh was already a nice golden tone. She glided her fingers over the keys.

A friend from Seattle.

A beat passed.

Hell, Maddie, that’s bad news.

She sighed. Like her brother, he always doubted her.

Don’t worry, I handled it.

Nate’s next message came quick.

He’s coming. Be careful.

Maddie’s stomach dropped to her toes. The urge to whip around in her seat rattled through her, but she forced her bubbling nerves down and hid her phone in her bag. She lowered the back of her chair so that she lay down in the full ray of the sun, and let her head loll to the side.

If he told her to be careful one more time…

His constant breathing down her neck and watching over her shoulder had to stop. She needed to set him straight—

“Hey, doll. I missed you.” Carlos’s smooth, sultry voice sounded from behind her. He leaned over the top of her chair, and the acrid scent of alcohol warmed her skin as his hot lips pressed against her cheek.

Her fingers tingled to wipe the spot his mouth had vacated, but she lifted her sunglasses and smiled as he sat in the lounger next to her.

She turned on her side and pillowed her cheek in her palm. “How’s your father doing?”

Carlos’s family owned a custom yacht company in San Juan.

His father’s health had been failing in the last few months, so he’d asked Carlos to check on the company and ensure things were running smoothly.

This was the business aspect of their trip.

Word on the street was that in his last visit home, he’d returned with a million dollars’ worth of cocaine.

A yacht travelling out of Puerto Rico would be subject to inspections.

Could that be why he wanted to go on the cruise?

So he could bring back drugs and avoid such scrutiny?

A cloud crossed over the sun, dimming its rays.

The salty breeze swirled around the deck and the loose strands of her hair floated across her chin.

He groaned and settled back in the seat.

“Not good.” He reached over and laced his fingers with Maddie’s.

Dampness from his palm burned through her skin.

She turned her head to face him, and examined the strained lines around his mouth. Aside from the fact that he was a scumbag and a dangerous criminal, he was a human being losing his father.

His white button-down shirt hung open at his chest, revealing a gold chain around his neck and thick, dark chest hair. His chest wasn’t nearly as wide as Nate’s… or as muscular. Carlos kept his jaw smoothly shaven, where Nate let a little stubble come through.

“I’m sorry. Is the business okay?”

He crossed his ankle over his knee and let go of her hand. “Yeah, it’s doing well. Where the hell is the waiter? I need a drink.” The flat line of his jaw set and his fingers curled into a fist.

She hadn’t experienced Carlos’s wrath yet, but on more than one occasion a hint of his temper had flared. “I can run to the bar for you, boss. What do you want?” A deep, rumbling voice sounded from behind them.

Maddie’s heart lurched in her throat and she turned in her lounger. Tony stood behind them, his long, dark fingers curled over the edge of Carlos’s chair. Fear bit into her and her pulse beat in triple time.

He wasn’t supposed to be here.

“I’ll have a mojito. Thanks, Tone,” Carlos said.

“Anything for you, Maddie?” His dark, onyx eyes burned into hers. The corners of his mouth hitched up into a salacious grin. He wore only dark blue swim trunks, the locks of his ebony hair brushed his bare shoulder.

An alarm screamed in her head.

“No, I’m fine.” She turned in her chair and closed her eyes as the sun peeked around the dark cloud. The last thing Carlos had told her was that Tony would be staying behind to keep an eye on the club. Why had he changed his mind? Having him here made things a hell of a lot more difficult.

“Whatever you say, tough guy,” he mumbled and turned away.

Carlos didn’t move, but his hand flexed beside him. “What did he call you?”

Air expanded in her chest. “I didn’t catch it.” She kept her tone light and unconcerned. Bright white bursts from the sun flashed cross her closed lids.

“I thought Tony was watching the club.” A tremble rippled through her voice. She coughed and cleared her throat.

Carlos grunted. “Yeah, he decided he wanted to come, so Ricardo stayed behind. He wasn’t too keen on coming anyway.” Out of the corner of her eye, his lips tensed.

Her cheek burned beneath the heat of his gaze.

“Is there a problem with that?”

She inhaled through her nose, forcing her heart rate to slow.

She pushed the fear that nipped at her insides away.

If Carlos so much as had a suspicion, they’d be done.

She rolled her head to face him and raised her sunglasses.

“Of course not, honey.” She lifted her lips into an amused smile.

“Why would there be? I was just surprised to see him.”

The black lens of his sunglasses shielded his eyes, making it impossible to read him.

“Good.” He pushed up onto his elbow and leaned across the gap between their chairs, his face stopped inches from hers. “Have I told you that you’re the most gorgeous woman on the ship?” His fingers trailed over the bare skin of her belly, and rested on her hip.

She swallowed and covered his hand with hers. “Not yet,” she said. Her tone was light and teasing.

He grinned and kissed her. She parted her teeth as his tongue entered her mouth.

The breeze danced over them and the heavy scent of his sweat stung her nostrils.

The back of her throat tingled with nausea, but she moved her tongue against his.

Her gag reflux jumped, but she forced the revulsion down.

“Here’s your drink, boss.” Tony cleared his throat when Carlos lingered on her lips.

She pulled away and Carlos accepted his drink. Tony’s large, broad form hovered in front of them. A deep scowl etched his weathered brow and his gaze lingered on her breasts. His tongue came out to wet his lips. The alcohol from the margarita brought her blood to a quick boil.

“Jesus, Tony. Sit the fuck down and stop staring before I slap that stupid look off your face,” Carlos growled.

Tony’s eyes snapped to Carlos’s and his gaze lowered. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “I’ll be at the casino if you need me,” he mumbled and pushed his way through the crowd.

“Sorry, I don’t know why he does that shit. Let me know if he ever bothers you, okay?”

Maddie nodded and swallowed. It could be a trap. There was no way to be certain Tony hadn’t said anything to him, but if he was here, it was to make her uncomfortable—or to keep an eye on her.

Either way, it didn’t bode well for their case.

Tomorrow, they would dock in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas the next day, and then San Juan the day after.

They would stop in Grand Turk before heading back to Miami.

Between now and the time they arrived on American soil, she had to find out if they’d picked up drugs, and the trade-off location.

All while avoiding Tony and keeping Carlos lapping at her heels.