Be Careful What You Wish For(25)

“So, what now?’ she asked, laying their central dilemma out on the table.
“I have a plan,” he replied. “I’ve always wanted to live on a boat. A sailboat, to be exact. I’ve purchased one in the Cayman Islands. I’d like you to join me on it.”
He sat back, seemingly relaxed. She tried to think, unsure of what response to give. A boat could be good…
“I’d like that,” she said slowly. “I think we could have a good time on a boat.”
It seemed like such an inane statement. Her entire life depended on this man’s decisions and all she could think to say was I think we could have a good time on a boat?
But she couldn’t say what she was really thinking. A boat might make it easier to escape. She could even kill him and dump his body overboard. Of course, she didn’t have a clue as to how to run a boat by herself. But she could watch him. She could learn.
“How big of a boat?’ she asked, wondering if she’d have to deal with a crew as well.
“Fifty feet,” he said. “Sailboat. We’ll have two crewmembers to start with. They’ll be teaching us how to sail it.”
“When do we leave?’ she asked.
“Tomorrow morning.”
“What about documents? Won’t I need a passport?”
“That’s not a problem,” he replied, handing her a manila folder filled with documents. “You have a whole new identity now. Your name is Shannon Bradley, although I think I’ll call you Shan. Seems to fit your personality better.”
“It sounds like you’ve got everything figured out,” she said slowly. She didn’t ask what Valzar thought of the new arrangement, or what he expected to have happen to her long-term. It was a good enough sign that he’d gotten her a passport. Sean must plan on keeping her around for a while at least.
“I’ll pack my clothes,” she said reassuringly, willing him to understand. “I want to make this work, Sean.
I’m very highly motivated.”
* * * * *
She was highly motivated. He knew that already. In such a short time she had became an important part of his life, yet at heart he knew she was so good to him because she was afraid.
Despite the nice clothing, despite the long nights of making love in the cool air of the villa, Sandra was f*cking him to stay alive. Simple, and not particularly pretty. She didn’t care about him at all and he couldn’t blame her for it in the least.
It was a terrifying thing to realize that your happiness depended on someone else. Especially when it was someone else who had little or no reason to care for you. He’d seen the calculations behind her eyes when she’d asked about the boat. She tried to hide her feelings from him but she wasn’t accustomed to deceiving those around her. She was an innocent, a child compared to him in a thousand little ways. She had no concept of what a man like him could do to another person.
He supposed he should feel guilty, but if he allowed himself to feel guilt over everything he’d done wrong over the years, he’d have killed himself by now. God help him, he would keep her by his side whether she liked it or not. The commitment was made and the plans were already well underway. All he had to do was follow through. She’d be his forever, and if having her was less sweet for her lack of cooperation, then so be it. Having her was worth any price.



Chapter Nine
Valzar waited for them on the dock when they arrived in the Caymans two days later. He was dressed in an immaculate white linen suit, his eyes shielded by dark glasses. With his black hair slicked back and hands tucked in his pockets, he was the picture of a Latin playboy.
Once again, looks were deceiving. He was all business as he shook Sean’s…no, Joe’s hand. She repeated the new name to herself again and again. He was Joe and she was Shannon. That was her new reality and she had to get used to it.
“I see you haven’t decided to take care of your little liability yet,” he said as soon as they came close. He looked over her coolly, but this time he seemed less hostile. More bemused, and perhaps a bit curious.
“I find that I enjoy her company a great deal,” Sean said. “You have no idea what it’s like to have a companion who isn’t always asking for things.”
“That’s certainly true,” Valzar said, and he gave a rusty laugh that startled her. “My women tend to be fairly high maintenance. Always some new jewel or toy. Speaking of toys, I think you’ll enjoy the boat. I had some special modifications made in the interests of meeting your needs.”
Together they stepped into the boat, Sean turning to help Sandra. It wasn’t large, but still bigger than she’d expected. There was a wide, flat deck broken by a cockpit that thrust up out of it, sort of like a small house. They walked over to the hatch and she stepped in, stumbling at first. Valzar and Sean caught her at the same time, their strong hands pulling at the fabric of her blouse and nearly choking her.