“What are you doing?” I ask, as the water beads down on us.

“Watching you.”

I shake my head. “No, you are trying to hide your plan. I think you’ve kept enough secrets from me. Tell me the plan.”

“I don’t have a plan.”

“Liar.”

He sighs. “Can’t we just enjoy a shower together?”

“No, because it gives you time to figure out how to hide the truth from me.”

He rubs his hands through my hair, washing the long strands, stalling even though it feels nice.

“Enzo…”

“I have a plan, but you are going to hate it.”

I suck in a breath, already suspecting what his plan is, but he needs to say it.

“Try me.”

“Milo doesn’t know I have you, and until I figure out how to deal with him, I think it’s best if we keep the fact you are here hidden. I know you won’t like that. You are half owner of the Black empire. You have every right to show up at Surrender same as me. But that’s why I think it’s best that neither of us goes near Surrender for a while. We can run the business from elsewhere. I can show you more of the ropes of how to run things.”

“You mean you want to leave on one of the yachts,” I say flatly, saying what he’s been avoiding this entire time.

“Yes.”

8

ENZO

KAI DIDN’T FIGHT me on my plan to board a yacht and sail until Milo is either dead or we have a plan to ensure he will never touch us.

I expected a fight.

I expected a battle.

I expected to have to throw her ass over my shoulder with her kicking and cursing to get her onto a yacht, knowing I can’t guarantee when we will touch land again.

I love the sea, so it’s no problem to spend years at a time on the ocean. But for Kai, living on the sea is her biggest nightmare.

But she didn’t fight me, maybe because she thought it was inevitable. Or maybe because something changed. Being around her feels different. She should be steaming still after what I did. It was unforgivable. I was an idiot. And I know I haven't done enough to make up for it. But she’s tolerating me.

More than tolerating me. She beams when I’m around her, and follows my order without argument. I want to ask what’s going on, but I don’t dare. I need her to do exactly as I say, at least until I get her on that yacht.

I left Kai in the bedroom and sent Westcott to purchase any items she will need and pack up the rest of what she has because I don’t know when we will hit land again.

“What’s the plan?” Langston asks, his arms crossed as I enter my office. Both him and Zeke continue to scowl at me, and I don’t think they will ever stop after what I did to Kai.

“I’ll tell you when you wipe that scowl from your face,” I answer, as I collapse into my chair behind my desk.

Langston growls. “Not going to happen. Kai is now a member of this family. You decided that the day you brought her here. And yes, she may have fucked up. But you fucked up worse. She’s earned my forgiveness; you haven’t yet. So I will keep being pissed as long as I want.”

I grin at his loyalty to this family. I truly wish Kai was a part of the family as Langston says. It would be nice to have a girl around. She’s not though, and can never be. Because as long as I’m Black, she can never join the family, it’s too dangerous. And if she were to ever become Black, she would be in constant danger. Not going to happen.

“Glad to know where your loyalties lie, Langston,” I say with a huff. I look at Zeke who is crossing his arms smirking down at me. His muscles are twice the size of mine, which should intimidate me—it doesn’t. I know behind the muscles is a big softy who cares about me more than he cares about hurting me.


Tags: Ella Miles Truth or Lies Dark