Page 21 of Storm and Sea (Storm and Sea Saga #1)

S he was in shock. Even as the sun rose and her father called from below, Marina couldn’t make herself move from her bed. Only when the bedroom door creaked open did she finally break free from her statue-like stillness.

“ Piccola , what is wrong? Where are the boys?” Papá asked, worry crinkling his mustache.

Tears welled in her eyes. “They left. Had a family emergency and…”

Her mind finished the thought: And they are monsters. All this time. They’ve been lying to us. To me.

A heavy ‘whoosh’ sounded beside her as her father sat his bulk on the mattress.

“Did you have a fight, mia cara ?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Something like that. I thought I knew them better. I thought they trusted me, but…”

Tears fell from her cheeks and onto her clasped hands. She could still feel the scales on her fingertips. How real they were. Nonno’s stories, right there in her bedroom.

Papá sighed heavily. “These things happen. Let me ask you, are you angry with them?”

“Yes!” she said so fast her hair flew.

And she was. She was so freakin’ mad at them. At Nyel, but especially Atreus. She’d known him almost all her life. They’d grown up together in this town, running around every summer. He’d heard her cry through the bedroom walls when she started her first period. And she’d heard him yell in pain as Giovanni dislodged yet another fishhook from his thumb. She knew his favorite food was red tuna and that he hated wearing shoes. Marina knew him better than anyone.

Or at least… she thought she did. Being distrusted by someone she considered family stung worse than when she had stepped on a sea urchin.

“Can you forgive them?” her father asked.

Marina clenched her fists. She was so angry. And hurt. And shocked.

But… yes. She could.

“Yeah.”

“Then that is all that matters.” He patted her back affectionately. “When they return, do not prolong it. Speak to them. It will work out. ”

Marina sighed.

If only you knew Papà.

“Thank you. I should go to town; there are a few things to do before tomorrow.”

Her father gave her a prickly kiss on the cheek before leaving her alone.

Of course, she’d forgive Atreus. He was pretty much family. Well— a lot more distant family.

Not even the same species.

The thought sent chills down her spine. Yet the way he’d pleaded with her—the fear in his eyes. It was still him. No matter how weird the whole ‘change into a legendary creature with water’ thing was. He was still Atty.

But she wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easy. He’d still not trusted her with his secret, and that friggin’ hurt. Sure, she understood why he did it. There was no shortage of horrible stories about sea monsters in a place like Baia Vita. There was no guarantee how the rest of the island would react to the news. Still…

He should have trusted me.

Marina was in no rush to talk to either of them. Atreus could stay wherever he was hiding until the festival. She’d let him stew with his nerves.

Serves him right. That way, he can think about what he’s done.

Not to mention, she had no idea where he was. She wiped the burn out of her eyes before dressing and going to town. The Bayallon still needed her, and Marina Marcello was no quitter. Even if there were Uomo del mare running around.

Marina walked from city hall, careful to avoid the last uneven step. She didn’t need to meet with the mayor, but there was almost nothing left to do to prepare for the race. Talking with the mayor about the course, the number of kids signed up, and whether the hospital would send a nurse in case of an emergency gave her something to do—even for a few minutes.

Marina meandered up the hill, following the trail of flags. The same red flags they’d been tying when everything changed.

Nope! Don’t think about that.

She ducked to a side alley, away from the race course. She admired the lights strung across the balconies, replacing the usual clotheslines. Everyone was getting ready for tomorrow.

Maybe I should get back and help Papà fry the fish and — !!!!!

Marina’s thoughts were wiped clean as ice-cold water drenched her from head to toe. Several hard bits smacked against her skull, nearly knocking her to the ground. Cubes of ice clattered on the street. Her nose wrinkled as a strong, fishy smell overwhelmed her.

“Oops! Didn’t see you there.” Leaning over the balcony, Anna and two other girls giggled maliciously from above. “Hey, school-girl, what does this say?”

Anna held the bucket so Marina could see the words “Ice” printed clearly on the side. Probably one of the ones her father used to deliver fish.

“I was feeling too hot. Thanks for the refreshing splash!” Marina called, shaking her sopping hair for show.

“Oh, that’s right, you’re numb to the smell,” Anna taunted. “Was this the same water you use to shower?”

They giggled again, and Anna shouted above the others, her voice filled with venom. “You stay outta my way at the festival tomorrow. You hear? I’m getting that dance with him.”

Marina rolled her eyes as she walked away, trying to ignore their jabbing words. There was no doubt in her mind who Anna was talking about. The mystery man she’d been with last time. The one who basically told Anna to get lost and chose to stay with Marina.

A whole lotta good that’s done me, Marina thought, squeezing more water from her hair.

Marina hadn’t seen Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome since catching him putting the moves on another girl. The entire summer went by without another sighting of him, and honestly, Marina had just begun to forget about it. That was until Anna supplied her with a splashing reminder.

“Yeah, you can have him,” Marina snapped. She wanted no part of this. “Like I have time to deal with a man.”

“But my dear, you haven’t had the pleasure of dealing with me.”

Marina yelped as the silky voice purred behind her. He was alone, which was odd since Vincenzo hardly went anywhere without his entourage.

This day can’t get any worse, can it?

“I’d rather chew glass,” Marina said, trying to move past him. He side-stepped, blocking her.

“I can’t have that. What a waste that would be, ruining such a mouth.”

“Fuck you.”

“And there she goes again, spewing filth. No refinement. No training. A gem, yet unpolished.”

Alvise looked at her with the kind of disappointment that comes from finding a job half-finished. Like it was Marina’s responsibility to ‘meet expectations,’ and she’d fallen short. As if she owed him a damn thing.

“How you frustrate me,” he whispered, though he wore a delighted smile.

“Then I’m doing my job.”

“I could make you sparkle brighter than the stars,” he said as though she hadn’t spoken. “What will it take, my dear? How is that elderly family of yours? Fishing hasn’t been good this season. Will there be enough for them to eat this winter?”

Marina clenched her jaw until it hurt. “Get out of my way, Alvise.”

“I could make you want for nothing.”

“I want you to swallow a fish hook.”

“Or,” he leaned closer. “I can take it all. Then you’ll be forced to beg for everything.”

Marina wouldn’t back down. Not from him. Not today. She faced him, eyes narrowed. Their faces were much too close. He was doused in rich cologne and she with fish-gut water.

“Go. To. Hell.”

“Only. With. You.” His voice glided like a figure skater across the ice. “It’s only a matter of time, my little vixen. You will come to me, one way or another.”

“I thought I wasn’t pretty enough for your collection?” she hissed, barely resisting the urge to spit on his face.

“Not yet. But there is so much to be done with you.”

Before she could blink, before she could scream, his hand clamped onto the back of her head, yanking her hair violently. Her chest slammed flush with his as he wrenched her head back, exposing her throat. When she tried to push away, his grip tightened, drawing a whimper from her lips. Alvise hummed, pleased, as though savoring the thought of tasting her skin.

Marina’s pulse raced, her limbs weak and unsteady. Her scalp burned from the violent grip, and she could barely draw a breath. The sound of his satisfied hum sent a chill down her spine, anger mixing with helplessness. Her skin prickled with dread as her body betrayed her. Freezing in the face of danger.

“As a maid on my estate, I can shape you into something you can scarcely imagine. Fix all these rough edges. All the impurities. These gorgeous tresses,” he lifted a section of hair to his nose, breathing deeply. “They are too precious to waste.” He wrinkled his nose. “But let’s start with the smell.”

Marina shoved him, stumbling as he released her. “D-don’t touch me.” She faltered, hating how pathetic and scared she sounded.

“What is going on here?” A voice called from behind her.

Alvise straightened, placing both hands in his pockets. “Nothing at all.”

“That’s not what it sounded like.”

Marina turned to the newcomer, and there he was—the beautiful stranger. The man she’d almost successfully forgotten about.

Because, of course he was here.

His clothes were casual, and his hair was pulled back in a ponytail. But the look of anger on his face was new. And it was far more frightening than she thought possible.

“Let’s leave the lady alone; what do you say, Alvise?” he said with a not-so-subtle threat in his tone.

Alvise remained unmoved. “You have no claim to her. As far as I see it, we were having a friendly chat.”

“Not all things are objects to be claimed,” the stranger hissed. “Especially people.”

“Once again, that is where you’re wrong.”

Marina felt that these two had been down this road before. This conversation felt old, like a battle that had been fought many times.

“It’s time for you to go, Alvise.”

“It’s Signore Vincenzo to you.” Then, his eyes found Marina. “You have a guard dog. I have to admit, I’m rather disappointed. Can the fox not fight for herself?”

Marina bristled. “I don’t! He isn’t!”

She was so done with this conversation. Her head hurt where the ice had hit her.

“Alvise, stay the hell away from me and my family,” she yelled, hating how her voice wavered. “I’ll die before I ever work for you. If you come near me again, you’ll regret it.”

But the threat sounded hollow even to her own ears. And it must have been just as pathetic to Alvise as his smile stretched ear to ear, revealing perfect teeth.

“I look forward to it. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, my dear.” Alvise’s eyes turned to the stranger, running up and down his physique, appraising him as he did with all things. “How far you’ve fallen.” Then he turned on his heel and was gone.

Marina shook as if she were standing naked in a winter storm. Today was too much. She had to get home.

“Are you okay?” the stranger asked.

And like a delayed firework, Marina exploded.

“You!” she shouted. “You had no right to interfere!”

His eyes went wide in alarm. “I’m sorry, I thought he?—”

“Thought he what? What was he going to do? It doesn’t matter because I can handle myself. I don’t need Prince Charming to come running to my rescue. I’ve dealt with Alvise before, and I’ll keep doing it so long as I call this island home!”

When did the tears start falling? Why was she yelling? But now that she’d started, she couldn’t stop.

“I’m not one of your playthings. Alright? I’m not an obedient dog you can call when it’s convenient, or you’re bored. I’m not your personal ray of sunshine, okay? I can’t be summer and sunflowers every god-damn second of every day! You can’t string me along, promise to care, then disappear the moment I stop smiling like your perfect little doll. I deserve better than that!”

Her voice echoed in the alley. At what point did she stop talking about him? When had the tears and the betrayal morphed her words, directing them toward…Marina didn’t want to think about her mother. Not now. Not when she was trying to be angry at this stranger .

She was certain the entire block was listening at this point, but she didn’t care. The man rested his hands in his pockets and at least had the decency to look ashamed. If he noticed that her words weren’t entirely directed at him, he didn’t say anything.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Marina balked. “That’s it?”

He nodded. “That’s it. I’m sorry.”

“Well, I’m— I’m not done being angry,” she admitted, her body trembling with it. The day’s emotions spilled over, tipping her already brimming cup after years of keeping it from overflowing one drop at a time.

“Don’t stop on my account. Get it out.”

“You—” she struggled to come up with something. “You have no right walking around like this. Like you own the place.”

“That would be correct. I don’t own the space we are currently standing in.”

She bristled. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means you are right.”

“Yes, I am,” she snapped.

“Feel better?”

“Not really.” But somehow, his words had doused some of the fire in her body.

“Can I ask you something?” he said softly.

“Sure.”

“Why are you wet?”

Marina burst into laughter. She must have looked like a lunatic, but at that moment, she couldn’t have cared less.

“Because one of your other conquests knows how to hold a grudge. She didn’t like that you danced with me during the last festival.”

“Oh—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble?—”

“And now that we’re on the topic,” Marina interrupted. “If you see me tomorrow night at the festival, stay the hell away from me. I’ve got enough to deal with without adding your jealous groupies to the list.”

His jaw clenched, and Marina was ready for him to argue. But he surprised her yet again. “I hear you. And I’ll respect your wishes.”

“Good. Hopefully, we never run into each other again,” she said, spinning and marching away, her fishy hair whipping her face.

“I hope you’re wrong, Marina.”

She hesitated and almost turned around.

Almost.

As she kicked off her boots by the pescheria doors, she couldn’t help but think, he remembered my name.

But she was done settling for scraps of affection. She had promised herself that the moment she returned to the island.

I deserve more than the crumbs.