Page 59

CHAPTER 58

INCREDIBLE. THE WATER was so clear, it seemed like I could see for miles. I was holding my breath, but it was effortless. I couldn’t even count how many minutes I’d been under. I’d left my clothes on the beach and I could feel the water against every inch of my body, soothing me as I swam. Everything was peaceful, mystical, magical…

I felt a tug on my ankle. I backpedaled and turned around. Kira shot past me like a dolphin, bubbles streaming from her nose. Her copper-colored hair bobbed and straightened with each stroke. She’d left her clothes on the beach, too. From her outstretched fingers to the tips of her toes, her body was as pale as ivory and taut with muscle, except where it swelled into smooth, gentle curves. She moved with spirit and grace, and when she turned to face me, her smile almost bowled me over, even thirty feet underwater. I couldn’t help myself. I took a deep breath.

That’s what woke me up.

Shit. Dreaming again.

I rubbed my eyes. I could see from the angle of the sun coming through the slats in my shack that it was still early morning. But I was sweating already and sticking to the canvas on my cot.

I looked around. My battered plastic cooler was sitting about two feet away. I opened the lid and reached in. The ice had melted overnight and my last two bottles of Perrier were floating in a pool of tepid water. I grabbed one, twisted off the cap, and downed the whole liter while lying on my back.

I rolled off the cot and scratched the itchy growth on my face. Ten days now without a shave. I was starting to develop a caveman look. At least that’s what I assumed. I hadn’t seen a mirror in ten days, either.

I stood up and started my daily ritual. First, I reached into the thatched ceiling and felt for my money bag. Still there, bulging with bills. Then I walked two steps to the back wall and reached behind a rough panel of bamboo.

No!

My goddamn cutlass!

It was gone.