Third a Kiss

And he promised.

With a sigh, I stepped into Jewel and wrapped my arms around her. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t cry.”

She only cried harder.

Her wails soaked my dress and her body shook mine as I tried to console her. I didn’t know if I should tell her what they’d done to me and why they’d left. Whether she’d find comfort in knowing the only reason they’d been sent away was because I’d asked for their freedom after they’d tried to murder me.

Would it make Jewel try to kill me too…somehow earning a pass home by murder?

Instead of messing things up, I kept silent, just offering her my hug to cry into.

Footsteps appeared behind Jewel. Flip-flops worn by a man, striding with purpose and prowess.

I looked up, expecting to come eye to eye with Sully. My heart even hopscotched in anticipation, but just as I’d expected Jealousy and ended up with Jewel, I ended up with a guest instead of the proprietor.

Shaggy brown hair and slim physique wearing denim shorts and white tee, he frowned and strode faster toward us. “She okay?”

I nodded, running my hand over Jewel’s curly red hair. “She’s fine. Just a long night.”

The guest clenched his jaw, his brown eyes darkening. “Yeah, I had my own long night a few evenings ago. I didn’t know the girls were drugged so badly. I feel responsible.”

Jewel froze; tears streaked her face as she looked up, studying the stranger. “How can you say that? You knew what you were doing when you bought a stay on some luxury island where sex is guaranteed to be the best you’ve ever had.”

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Yeah, I know. I mean…call me stupid, but I thought we’d sleep with high paid courtesans who loved their job. Women who dressed up and acted out the fantasy…not young girls who become any goddamn thing that computer program can conjure.”

Jewel’s temper matched mine, calling him out on his choices. “Whatever your fantasy was, I can assure you it would not have been possible without Sinclair’s Euphoria codes. And I’m sure you enjoyed every fucking minute of it.”

He winced. “I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy it…or that I’m not entirely grateful for the girl who shared my desires.” He peered at her, studying her face for some hint of recognition. “Was it you?” His gaze flickered to mine. “Or was it—” His eyebrows shot into his shaggy hair. “Wait…I know you.”

What?

I went ice cold.

I frowned and shook my head. “We’ve never met.”

He nodded with more conviction. “I saw you…last night.” He actually blushed and cleared his throat. “Eh, Sullivan Sinclair had his fingers up your dress and…”

“You’re mistaken.” I blanched, letting go of Jewel. What else had he seen? Heard?

He coughed, ignoring me. “He called you Eleanor Grace. Pretty name, by the way.” He cocked his head. “He seemed to have you trapped against that tree.”

Jewel crossed her arms, looking me up and down suspiciously. “Seems you’ve already begun safeguarding yourself. Did you sleep with him, Eleanor?”

I’d heard the rumour that redheads were fiery, but her personality flips from sweet to sobbing to sharp made my mind whirl.

The guest forgot about her, pushing himself between me and Jewel, and grabbing my shoulders with eager fingers. “Look, I can get you off this island. If you’re trapped here—if you’re held against your will. I can get you help.”

I struggled to get him off me. “Let go.”

“But…I want to help you.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“We do. We really do.” Jewel popped up beside him, her green gaze flicking quickly from him to me. “We’re prisoners here. We were bought from a trafficking operation. We’re raped on a weekly basis.” She held up her wrist where a matching tattoo to mine and Jealousy’s marred her ivory skin. “See? We were bought like a toy, like a blow-up doll.” Grabbing his forearm, she hissed, “Please get us off this island.”

Shit.

Shit.

I fought harder, tripping backward. “Let me go. I won’t ask again.”

The man didn’t stop clutching me, tripping with me, his face urgent with saviour complexes and rapid calculations. “Look, you don’t have to lie. I know your real name now, and your friend here has told me the truth. Don’t be afraid of him. I’m guessing you’re his personal fuck toy? That you not only have to sleep with guests but him too?” He shook me, his fingers digging in deeper. “You’re brainwashed, Eleanor. You can’t see it, but every day that you’re his, you’re falling into his trap. I’ll charter a yacht. I’ll come back to save you. Just—”

“No!” I shoved him off me, reeling backward.

A couple of weeks ago, I would’ve begged for this scenario. To have a Knight in Shining T-shirt to profess his allegiance and jailbreak us out.

But that was before.

This is now.

My teeth rattled at how dangerous this was. What would Sully do if he found out? What would this guest suffer?

Arching my chin, I said in my snowiest voice, “I suggest you go home, sir. Return to your family. Remember your indulgence here and forget about us.”

“No!” Jewel grabbed his hand. “Please…take me with you now. Take all of us.”

For some reason, the guest kept his attention on me. As if he pitied me the most. As if he believed that Sully had his fingers inside me last night against my consent.

I could see it from his point of view. Of course, I could. I was even grateful for his attempt at rescue, but where I was concerned, he had it all wrong.

I didn’t want my freedom because I’d found it whenever Sully touched me. It might not make sense to anyone else but me and Sully, but I would not jeopardise that. For anyone. Even for my family and friends.

I would see them again. Eventually. Right now, I would be selfish and continue chasing this murky, romantic, sinful path.

“Leave me alone,” I hissed as the man tried to grab me again.

I backpedalled as he stalked me. What did he expect to happen? That he’d scoop me over his shoulder and cart me off the island without Sully stopping him? That he could win against a man who had the power of his genius and a bottomless bank balance behind him?

Jewel moved with us, frustration at being ignored glowing on her pretty cheeks. “I’ll go. Take me instead. If she doesn’t want to go, then that’s her fault.”

I nodded, holding up my palm as the man tried to catch me again. “See? Take her. She’ll be grateful for your help. I’m staying. I want to stay. Don’t you understand? I realise that sounds crazy to you, but I’m not going—”

He launched at me, snatching me into him. He hugged me as if expecting me to break down in the same fashion Jewel had. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. It’s okay. You don’t have to lie anymore.”

I snarled in his ear, “Let me go, you bastard!”

“Not until you admit to yourself that you’re being fucked left, right, and centre by fucking assholes, and you’re so brainwashed that you think you like it.”