Page 132 of Scarred Ruin

He was missing the point, but this was a fight I couldn’t win. “That would be acceptable. Just please, no business.”

“No business. Do you still want to head back tomorrow?”

Half of me didn’t want to go anywhere, but this was just a fantasy and would never be my reality. “Yes, I do.”

His look of disappointment caught me off guard. “Then I’ll make the arrangements. If you make the margaritas?”

“Fair enough.” When he walked around me and up the stairs, I remained where I was, enjoying being able to stare at the softly rolling waves.

Yes, I loved the man. I couldn’t deny it to anyone including myself. What that meant I wasn’t certain.

But time was needed to figure out how to best handle his world or there was possibility a future wouldn’t work.

I had to find a way to tell him I needed time very much alone.

* * *

Maxsim

“How is Kristoff?”

Sergei sighed. “He’s fine. No permanent damage. Are you going to have a chat with the Italians?”

“I will, but I want them to stew.” And I did. While the hit and run appeared to be random in nature, a guy a little too high on drinks with his buddies, I continued to have my doubts.

“Playing games now?”

“Until I get a handle on what the fuck is going on, I am,” I told him.

“Maybe nothing. There are no other outward signs of being attacked.”

“As I’ve said before. Quiet doesn’t necessarily mean peace.”

Sergei nodded. We’d beaten the horse to death. “Should I say congratulations or are you planning on announcing your engagement at the party?”

I’d lied to my beautiful traveling companion after getting her safely locked away in my house. And yes, I meant locked away. After seeing the man on the beach, I’d been thankful she’d wanted to head home a day early.

“I never had a chance to ask.”

“What? Oh, please tell me she didn’t try and push you out of the plane.”

I lifted my eyebrow before grabbing the stack of mail, sorting through it without even really looking at a single piece.

“Someone was on the beach watching us. I’m certain of it and she noticed and became irritated.”

“Someone?”

“Yes, a man in dark clothing. Not exactly a tourist enjoying the tropics and since the house was several miles from anything else, I doubt he got lost.”

“Did you find him?”

“I couldn’t very well do that while having my companion by my side. Now, could I?” I tossed the mail. I was just wasting my time.

“While I can understand your concern, what does it have to do with asking her to marry you?”

“Let’s just say she shut down. I have a feeling she’s going to back away.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Maybe you’re wrong. Women can be fickle.”