Page 66 of The Billionaires' Gamble

“Where’s Lucinda?” I hate even speaking her name.

Alex jerks a thumb to the side of the yacht. My jaw drops, and I quickly snap my lips closed as Katherine slips from my arms and strides to the railing. Alex and I flank her.

Lucinda thrashes in the water, every bit as pitiful as you’d expect. Hair drenched and plastered to her head, makeup melted in the salt water, mixed with blood. She reminds me of a fancy poodle in a groomer’s tub. Nature is a great equalizer.

“Why are you standing there?” Her arms slap the water like a puppy who’s only learning how to swim. “I lost my shoe!”

I roll my eyes and turn to Katherine and Alex. There was a time when I would have been concerned about how cold the water is, whether or not the other woman can swim, and even the blood she’s dripping into the water. But that time has long passed.

“The shark turned into shark bait,” Alex muses softly, and my lips twitch.

“No shark’s gonna want her bony ass,” I say. “She’s too tough and gristly.”

This time, Katherine’s head tips back and she laughs. Full on belly laughs, then tucks an arm around my waist and snuggles into my chest. I drop a kiss on the top of her head, then look up to find Alex watching us like a hawk.

Thank you, I mouth.

He gives me a terse nod, then his gaze cuts back to the woman in the water.

“Should we fish her out?” I murmur. “Or make her swim for it?”

Alex glances back at Katherine. “’Sup to her.”

Katherine sighs, and I feel the indecision and frustration and resentment welling up in her body.

“Can you handle it?” I ask him. She doesn’t need to be making decisions now. He nods. “We’ll be inside.”

Alex glances over my shoulder. I follow his gaze and see I have two shadows. They open the salon door, and I wrap an arm around Katherine’s waist, leading her into the elegant space. The glossy brass and glass finishes aren’t exactly restful, but at least she’s out of the breeze.

I reach for the bougie Hermes throw and wrap it around her shoulders. She blinks up at me, eyes shimmering with tears. My heart cracks, and I cup her cheeks. “Are you okay? I was so scared. I love you so much.”

She sort of hiccups a sob as the tears roll down her cheeks. “I love you too,” she whispers, brokenly. I swipe at the droplets with my thumbs.

“I’m okay,” she adds with a brave nod. “I’m so happy to see you guys.”

Her small fist grips the front of my shirt, and her other hand clings to my hip. I’ll never take this for granted, not that I ever have. Later, I’ll examine all the ways I could have lost her over the years, but not now.

Now I press a kiss against her forehead.

She blinks up at me. “If I’d known all I had to do to hear your heart words was a little light kidnapping, I’d have done it sooner.”

There’s a pained groan from behind me, and I glance back to see that Alex has rejoined us. I hold out an arm, welcoming him into our hug.

Without hesitation, he joins us, dropping a heavy arm over my shoulders and snagging Katherine around the waist. I’m surprised, but pleasantly so. He’s so big and strong and warm, and Wildfire relaxes. So do I.

“Don’t even joke about that,” I tell her.

“Too soon?” she asks.

“You’ll be lucky if he lets you pee alone, from here on out,” I tease.

Alex gives an affirmative grunt.

“Sorry,” she whispers. Then, “Where’s Gabe?”

24

GABE