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“No. I... I didn’t keep a strict count when I packed. I just brought a lot since I knew I’d be here all summer. That’s probably why I didn’t notice until now. But after I found that duffel bag gone, I knew Bastian had been in my room, so I started looking through everything.”
“Considering what was in that duffel bag, your underwear would be a good place to start.”
“I’m pretty sure he took a white pair with lace around the top. I know I brought those, because I just bought them and remember packing them, but they’re not in here and I haven’t taken anything down to the laundry yet.”
Bo had lived with violent criminals for twelve years. He’d met all kinds of men—some who were downright perverts. But he’d never expected to run into something like thisafterhe was released, especially here on Mariners. “You should come over. Right away.”
“I’m scared to unlock my door, to be honest. I don’t want to have to talk to him.”
Bo wasn’t worried about what Bastian mightsay. He didn’t want to let his background cause his imagination to run wild. Neither did he want to spook Ismay. But the dude probably thought he could get away with anything. “He’d be stupid to hurt you. You’re Remy’s fiancée.”
“WasRemy’s fiancée.”
“Yeah, but...”
“He holds a grudge against Remy for whatever happened with Lyssa,” she said. “Maybe he blames him for the fight, which caused the fire that took her life. I don’t know. But having something happen to me could be his idea of the perfect revenge.”
“God, I hope not.”
“He’s been in the kitchen for a while. You don’t think he’ll try to burn this place down...”
“You’re scaring the hell out of me,” Bo said. “I’m getting dressed and walking over there. If you’re not at the back door when I arrive, I’m coming in to get you.”
“What about all my stuff?” she asked.
“Bring what you absolutely need and leave the rest. I’ll make sure you get it back.”
“I don’t want to keep pitting you against your employer! I’m worried that...that I’m messing up your life.”
He scratched his head. Feeling he had to protect Ismay was the last thing he’d expected, but he didn’t trust Bastian any more than she did and wouldn’t leave her vulnerable. “Let me worry about that. Just do as I say, all right?”
She didn’t answer.
“Ismay?”
“Bastian’s coming up the stairs,” she whispered.
“All the more reason for you to get out of there!”
Silence. Then he heard her talking to someone else, presumably Bastian. “What do you want?”
Bastian’s response was loud enough that he could pick that up, too, since Remy’s brother was yelling through the door.
“I’d just like to talk to you. Even if you’re not engaged to Remy anymore, you don’t have to leave the cottage. There’s plenty of room here for both of us.”
“You knocked on my door at nearly one o’clock in the morning to tell me that?” Ismay said.
“Is it that late?” Bastian replied. “I didn’t even realize.”
“We’ll talk in the morning, okay?”
“If you’re already awake, why can’t we talk now? Why won’t you open the door?”
“I’m in bed, Bastian.”
“Are you scared of me, Ismay?”
There was a slight pause, but then Ismay said, “Of course not.”
