2

ESTELLE

“Are you sure you wanna go alone?”

“I’ll be fine.” I looked at Quinn through the mirror as I did my final touch on my makeup. His tall and athletic physique stood at the door with brows squeezed together. His brown eyes pinned at me.

Quinn Hunter had been my bodyguard for three years. He was loyal and dedicated and would do anything for me, even maybe catch a bullet— I hoped it would not come to that. When I had a conflict with my father, Quinn stayed even if Gustav Bladwyn was the one who hired him. I couldn’t ask for a better man to protect me than Quinn.

“You know what to do,” he prompted, unimpressed.

I sighed as I picked up my panic button. “Yes, sir.”

“I’m serious, Estelle. Unless you wanna go back to your father.”

“I just want a drink and walk down the beach alone.”

“Are you,” he said hesitantly. “Going to bring home a date?”

His question made me laugh. I turned to face him. His expression didn’t change. 

“What made you say that? Because I’m going out alone? You know I can still bring home a guy with or without you, right?”

“You might pick up—”

“That was one time.” I turned to face the mirror again when I remembered I had almost got taken by a cute guy hired by my father to bring me back home. “Dad knows my type, and it won’t happen again. I already learned my lesson.”

“Very well. I’m just an SOS away.”

“Don’t worry. The bar is just around the corner.”

“Maybe we should relocate. I had a feeling that someone might tip your father where you are.”

“I don’t think so. I only used cash. I don’t use my own credit cards anymore, and there’s no way Dad would go to that length to monitor my bank transactions, but I’m still careful.”

“I just don’t want you to get in trouble while I’m not with you.”

“And you did that thing to bounce the IP address every time I did my conference call, and I’m still using the prepaid phone.”

“I hope so, but you know you can’t hide from your father for the rest of your life. You eventually have to decide to go back home. You have businesses there, Estelle.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? Consider this my vacation.”

“Vacation, huh? Have you been enjoying this so far?”

I rose to my feet, propped my hands on my hips, and threw him a glare. “What’s up with you today? You’ve been grumpier since you woke up this morning.”

“I’m sorry. I overstepped.”

“No. Tell me, what’s wrong? Is everything okay back home?”

“Nothing. And everything’s fine.” I wasn’t convinced, but when it came to my safety, I knew he wouldn’t jeopardize it. He would inform me if my father found us.

“I paid a huge amount to keep us off the radar, Quinn. You need to chill out. Have fun. This is a beautiful island with a lot of beautiful women and handsome men.” 

“Okay. Just be careful.”

“Maybe you should just come with me. Or just go out and hook up with the tourist or local girls. You need to get laid, Quinn.”

“No, thank you, ma’am.”

I grabbed my bag and slipped my phone inside. A few minutes later, I was already in my favorite bar. Of course, Quinn didn’t miss checking me out every five minutes; sometimes, it was annoying how thorough and protective he was.

The watermelon Caiparoska was to die for. 

“Should I tell the kitchen your dinner for tonight?” The bartender already knew me. 

“Maybe later.”

“You’re alone.”

“Quinn is being Quinn today.”

“Hmm.” He nodded.

I took another sip of my drink. Then someone just talked. His deep voice rumbled. It took me a while to take in, but I knew he was American. The accent was definitely a New Yorker. What caught me off guard was how tall he was, taller than Quinn, towering over me. He was broad and muscular but not too bulky, with pure muscles just by looking at his sinewy biceps, and he was probably cute. He also smelled good, like soap and fresh, like he hadn’t been under the sun.

When I drifted my gaze up— oh, boy, I wished I could take my words back. I just accused this cute— no, this man was definitely not cute— he was hot. He had a five o’clock shadow dusting his prominent sharp jawline. His aquiline nose reminded me of a famous 20’s heartthrob actor. He was a few years older than me, but the quiff-messy hairstyles looked too damn good on him.

He just gave me a quick nod when I apologized. I guessed I just ruined his mood. I felt like a bitch. 

“The rest I could do is buy you a drink for my unwanted behavior.”

His dark eyebrows quizzically arched as he gestured outside. “Under that big umbrella?”

I smiled. “Under that big umbrella.”

“Eliam, make two for dinner.” I rose from the stool as I told the bartender.

“Dinner?” Linden also slid from the stool. “We’re already having our dinner.”

“Oh, don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s dinner time, and it’s rude to eat alone while you’re with me.” I walked toward the door. He was fast and already there before I could push the door open, helping me out.

A small smile spread across his full lips. He was charming. Linden, whatever his full name, was a handsome and hot fella. 

“You can eat your dinner alone. It’s no biggie, really. You already apologized and offered me a drink.” 

“Too late. The linguine with clams is delizioso.” I did it with my fingers, making him chuckle.

We occupied the table that oversaw the dark ocean. The breeze wasn’t chilly tonight, just perfect if it was a romantic night with this stranger.

“So obviously, you’re from the US. What brought you to Marittemo? Aside from running away from your father.”

I was almost taken aback, and it didn’t miss his hawk eyes. But then I remember accusing him of working for my father. I was just glad that he seemed unaware of who I was.

“My father isn’t conservative and believes in old ways, but when it comes to business, he will do anything to keep the money running. So he arranged a marriage to the son of the wealthiest businessman. He believes in a business alliance.”

“Excuse me?” His response was sincere. He really didn’t have any idea who I was, or he was just good at it.

“Yeah.”

“Wow. I know arranged marriage still exists, but can’t you find a man on your own?” He looked at me, really looked at me. His sapphire blue eyes met mine. 

“I’m not ready to settle down. Sure, I had boyfriends, but the last man I dated two years turned out to be a jerk, a cheat. Because I was more successful with the business, he made sleeping around his own venture.”

“Sorry to hear that. You deserve more than a jerk, Estelle.”

Then I realized I overshared while he shared nothing. I laughed. I didn’t admit I needed to let that out of my chest to a stranger. “Tell me about you, Linden.”

“I work at the private military contractor—”

“You mean like a mercenary?”

“That’s too venal. We have ethics. We work by our code.”

“I’m not judging, but I feel like it’s too dangerous.”

“Can be.”

“So what brought you here asides from your boss forcing you out of the office to take this vacation.”

“There’s that—my boss. I can’t say no to him. It’s not because he’s my boss, but I greatly respect him.”

When our dinner arrived with a bottle of red wine, he respectfully dismissed the waiter and poured us wine.

I could see the reaction on his face as he took the forkful into his mouth. “Wow.”

“Yeah. That’s my first reaction.”

“I could make a mean linguine, but this is fantastic. It’s the balance of white wine, lemon, olive oil, and garlic didn’t overpower the clam. Given we are just beside the ocean, the clams are fresh.” He chewed it very well and dawned it with the wine. “Perfect. Not chewy or hard. It was tender and juicy.”

“You cook?”

“A little,” he replied humbly.

“A little? I know this is good pasta because it’s delicious, but you just told me what’s in here one by one. No one could tell that unless he knows his way in the kitchen.”

“You can literally taste them,” he argued, even amused.

“What else—” I stopped as I realized this was just an apology dinner. That was all. We would not meet again. He wouldn’t want to see me again. And he was older than me.

Jeez, Estelle. Get a grip.

After our dinner, he rose to his feet. “Since this was your treat, I wouldn’t insist on paying.”

“You won’t dare. Thank you, Linden, for having dinner with me.”

“It was lovely.” He took the hand I held out, shaking it firmly. When our skin touched, I did my best to ignore the little jolt in my body. His hand was big, and I could tell by the veins that he worked hard. 

“Good night.”