I tried to enjoy the ride, but it was bumpy to go at the speed that we were going. I’d never had a problem with seasickness before, but the combination of being in my first trimester and the rough waves made me want to empty my stomach.
“We’ll be at the real boat in half an hour. If you need to, lean over the side of the boat. I’ll keep you safe.”
Just like that, my nausea let up a bit.
We continued speeding along for a half hour. I was expecting my dad to zoom down on us in a helicopter, b
ut nothing was in the sky — not even a single commercial plane.
Finally, we were pulling alongside a large boat, a yacht I’d say.
There was a metal ladder.
“Ladies first.”
Even though Emilio might be checking out my butt from this angle, I also knew that he’d catch me if the boat moved and I fell. I might end up injuring both of us, but at least he’d break my fall.
I made it to the top without incident, and the driver and Emilio scrambled up behind me.
“What about the speedboat?”
“Someone else will take care of it. Our first priority is disappearing.”
Emilio put his arm around me and guided me into the warm inside portion of the boat.
“You’ll be safer in here.”
Explanation
Emilio
I was relieved that Naelle was finally here, in international waters. We were still off the coast of the United States, but they’d have a harder time taking us in while we flew an Ecuadorian flag.
“Come into my quarters.”
Naelle looked at the slender door of my bedroom. She looked doubtfully at it.
“Those are your quarters? It looks like a broom closet.”
I smiled a little bit.
“You’ll see.”
She stepped through. I went in after her. She spun slowly.
“Like it?”
“It’s like a tiny house or something. Just very pretty and compact.”
“Functional,” I said.
She sat on my bed and held out her arms like she wanted a hug. I sat next to her and pulled her into my lap. She didn’t need to get naked right now. She needed to be reassured that she’d made the right choice.
“Tell me about your empire,” she murmured, her head resting against my shoulder while I held her soft body in my arms.
It was time for me to come clean.
I cleared my throat.