Page 59 of The Billionaires' Gamble

My mother strides into the room, perfectly quaffed in a light pink suit and sensible nude heels, as if she just came from the boardroom. She’s certainly not dressed for time at sea. Or even a sinister plot. Goosebumps explode over my skin.

“Katherine, Tyler,” she says. “So lovely to see you.”

Is she kidding right now? My temper flares hotter, but before I can respond, another round of footsteps echoes across the deck boards, and a man in a suit comes down the rear steps. I’ve never seen him before, but he has salt and pepper hair and a few lines around his eyes and mouth.

My frown deepens as my attention ping-pongs between the two of them. Who the hell is he? Is she cheating on my stepfather and Tyler with this guy? He looks a little too old and straight-laced for something like that. Then again, those are always the ones you never suspect.

Further proving my point, she doesn’t introduce us.

“Were there any problems?” Mother glances back at my kidnapper.

“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” he says, and I swear there’s a little smirk beneath his scruff.

Nothing they couldn’t handle?The question is shrill inside my skull.

The remnants of my fear fade away. I take a deep breath and lift my chin, staring him down. It takes one and a half seconds for him to look away.

“They shot my bodyguard,” I tell her, and the newcomer’s jaw drops.

More than he bargained for? Me too!

The bang of the gunshot is seared into my brain. Roman’s gasp. The way he fell. I have no memory of what happened after that, but I have to believe he’s going to be okay. The alternative is unthinkable.

I don’t know why I think the harsh truth of what her men did will gain me any empathy. She has none. I know this, and yet…

Nope. I search myself, checking in with my heart and soul. There’s no hope left where she’s concerned. She severed that last thread with the precision of a scalpel.

“That’s unfortunate,” she murmurs, staring me down like I’m an employee stepping out of line. I mean, I always knew she had the emotional range of a rock, but her lack of concern over a man’s life is a new low, even for her.

“Unfortunate?” At the last possible second, I manage to keep the word from coming out as a pained scream. Surely someone heard and called nine-one-one. I have to believe that Roman’s getting the help he needs. I have to. Anything else makes me woozy and weak. Right now, those are two things I absolutely can’t allow. Cloaking myself in an icy shell, I tip my head ever so slightly and give my haughtiest, “I’d like an update on his condition.”

And I’d think she would too. She’s responsible for everything she set in motion.

Later, I’ll sit with the knowledge that my mother masterminded all this chaos. But right now, I keep my hands clamped to my hips so she can’t see them shake.

“We don’t know anything about that. Now, let’s get to it, shall we?” She waves the man forward.

It?

“You can call and find out,” I challenge, not ready to let this drop.

“Get to what, Lucinda?” Tyler asks.

“I’m so glad you asked.” She ignores my request and offers him a tight smile.

Seriously. What the hell is happening right now? Is she on drugs? Brain tumor? There’s got to be an explanation, right? Or maybe her behavior stems from a chemical imbalance? A mental ailment I don’t know about?

“You’re just going to ignore me?”

She turns her attention from Tyler to me, the smile melting to a perturbed frown. “You’re not adding to the conversation, Katherine.”

I run my tongue over my front teeth. My anger cools from a wild boil to a carefully contained simmer. The kind that could erupt violently at any moment.

“Bloody hell, Lucinda,” Tyler grouses.

I glance back to find him glaring at my mother. That’s a first. He truly is done with her bullshit.

“Don’t worry. I’m used to her ignoring me.” I can’t help but make the jab. Then I turn back to the man at my mother’s side because not knowing who he is is like a pebble in my shoe. “I’m Katherine, by the way. Lucinda’s daughter. And you are?”