Page 118 of Unforgiving Queen

“He’s a red flag if I’ve ever seen one,” she muttered.

“Agreed.” But he was one of the best captains in the world and had successfully evaded pirates on more than one occasion. The rest of the crew dispersed, leaving the two of us alone.

With Reina safely wrapped in a blanket, I shed my own clothes and reached for one when a soft gasp had me pausing. I turned around and found Reina staring at my back.

“Is there a shark bite on my back?” I asked, amused at her horrified expression.

“Your tattoo.”

Her eyes met mine, unspoken meaning hanging between us. After all the shit that happened, I’d gotten a yin and yang tattoo on my left shoulder blade, right where her scar was.

To remember.

The bitter aftertaste of my guilt still lingered on my tongue even after all this time.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I, cinnamon girl.” I reached for my own blanket and wrapped it around me. “You’d rather drown than be near me?”

It was a far cry from the girl who watched me with hearts in her eyes.

43

REINA

Ididn’t understand him. Not one bit.

He broke my heart, but ended up getting a tattoo that would remind him of me? It made no sense.

“I want to get back to my sister,” I finally said. “I can’t let her take the fall with your brother because of me.”

He proceeded to dry off, then shot me a look. “Trust me, Reina. Better her than you.”

Then I remembered all the shit he made me go through last night and my anger flared. “Why? Because you decided you’re not done with me?” I curled my fist and punched him in the gut, taking us both by surprise.

“Fuck, Reina.” Satisfaction filled me and I went for another punch when he blocked it. “I don’t think so.”

“Go to hell,” I spat.

“I’ve been there. Every single day for three years. Every day without you.”

Hope mixed with what I was already feeling. It was a vicious circle that nothing good could come out of. Hope and empathy for the Leone family would destroy me, just like it had my mother.

“It didn’t look like you had a hard time to me,” I muttered, still pissed off at him. It might have been bratty and childish, but I fucking hated that he kissed someone else, and even worse, danced to our song with someone else. And then he fucking sent a recording of the two of us.

I started to shake with humiliation. It was all I needed to remember for me to want to murder him again. “I want to be taken ashore.”

He smiled coldly, a smirk on his face telling me he was enjoying our bickering. “No.”

God, what I’d give to wipe that smirk off his face! My grip on the blanket tightened, and his eyes fell to my breasts. His gaze caught fire and my body instantly responded. Damn him.

“I guess we’ll be swimming a lot,” I said casually, turning on my heel and striding away. I had to get away from him before I punched him in the face.

“Try to go for a swim again and you won’t like what follows.” Amon’s voice came right behind me, startling me. I hadn’t even heard him move.

“Stop following me,” I said, hurrying my steps along. “I’m going intomyroom to take a shower to wash the salt water off and warm up.”

“What a great idea. I always loved your suggestions. Especially your bucket list.” His voice deepened, wrapping around my body.