He must’ve sailed away. He said he’d do it last night.
I stand by the handrail and look in the distance when I sense someone’s presence nearby.
“You seem to enjoy Miami,” Ted Sloane says.
I bite back a retort.
“I find it perfect this time of year,” I say, flashing a cold smile while glancing away.
Even without looking at him, I can tell his eyes stall on my butt.
“It’s better than New York,” I say.
“Uh-huh,” he says absentmindedly. “Are you with them?”
A ball of apprehension nestles in my chest.
I look at him.
“Them?”
I study him from behind the anonymity of my sunglasses.
“The Walkers. Bob told me you’d started to work for them.”
Bob, as in Robert, I assume.
His disgusting familiarity with Kai’s father brings bile to my mouth.
I give him a brief description of my job. It all goes over his head. He’s not interested in what I do. He is just harassing me with his looks.
I excuse myself and walk away. I don’t have time for that.
We arrive at the place a few minutes later and tour a building before gathering on a terrace. A table is set up with refreshments, and people start talking about important business matters while I feel more and more awkward.
Glancing at the water, I notice a vessel nearing the shore. Two men set foot on land, and I sigh, relieved, spotting Alejandro and Francisco.
My eyes go back to the ship.
There is no third man.
There is no Kai.
There are no answers for me.
Saying I’m waiting for them with hardly concealed excitement is an understatement.
They arrive wearing white shirts, matching pants, and dark sunglasses. They’ve spotted me too, yet they slide into their seats at the other end of the table without acknowledging me.
Robert talks to Alejandro, who tilts his head up and murmurs something in response.
I’m fairly sure they are talking about Kai.
Francisco and Alejandro keep their sunglasses on.
We are not the only ones wearing them since it’s a bright day with a blue sky and no clouds.
I don’t make the slightest gesture in their direction. And I don’t have the faintest feeling they look in my direction either.