The Trouble With Paradise

They all kept walking.

“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

No one stopped at that either.

“Fine! So the whole insurance scam thing was a little shaky, but I didn’t do anything else wrong!”

Still walking…

“All right. Fuck! You win! I thought Ethan was going to screw me out of the money so I sabotaged the damn boat for the additional claim. This is before I knew Ethan had offed Bobby, so don’t link me with that crime. You happy?”

They all turned and looked at him, and at their expressions, he deflated like a balloon. “Okay, so you’re not happy.”

“Look at that, a captain and a genius,” Christian said.

“I only did it so we could make a claim and pay off that bitch and still keep our livelihood. Tons of people do shit like that every day. Yeah, it makes me greedy and selfish, and yeah, we pulled the scam as often as possible to line our pockets and buy the boat outright, but I did not kill Bobby. I am not a murderer, and you can’t just leave me here. I didn’t do anything to any of you.”

“Except sabotage the boat,” Andy said.

“Which caused us to shipwreck,” Brandy said.

“That’s attempted murder,” Christian said.

Denny practically choked on that. “Are you kidding me? We were never even in danger! Jesus Christ, did anyone so much as break a damn nail?”

In unison, everyone looked at each other, then began walking again.

“Wait! I didn’t mean that. Stop. Jesus, stop! All I meant is that being on the island wasn’t so bad, right? And look where we are now, in paradise!”

“Except none of us wanted to be on this island,” Dorie pointed out.

“Damn A straight,” Andy said.

“Duh,” Cadence said.

Brandy looked at the sky.

“Um, Brandy?” Cadence said. “Back us up?”

“Maybe none of us planned for the island thing…” Brandy glanced at Michael. “But not all of us are having a bad time.”

Michael, so rich he could have bought God, not to mention had been shot only an hour ago, smiled.

Dorie blinked, then looked at Christian. He met her gaze, with no outward sign of what he was thinking-except for the slight flicker of heat. And suddenly she was vividly reminded of the absolute not bad time she’d had right here on the island.

With him.

In the waterfall, on the beach.

In the shower, only a hour and a half ago.

He arched a brow, and if she wasn’t mistaken, his lips curved. Was he thinking about when he’d tugged off her wet clothes and hoisted her up, pushing inside her until she’d cried out his name?

Of course not. He was more disciplined than she, and could control himself.

Plus, he hadn’t done the unthinkable. He hadn’t been stupid enough to fall in love with her, and then, oh yeah, let’s not forget, admit it in front of everyone.

At least it was almost over. Soon she’d be home.

She’d thought that she’d be going back with a tan, maybe some beautiful pictures. Instead, she was going home with much more than that. Such as the knowledge that maybe she was far stronger than she’d ever given herself credit for. Good to know. And also that she needed to go after her dreams, which meant no more Mr. Stryowski…

But had all this newfound self-knowledge been worth risking her life for?

Yes.

And wasn’t love also worth the risk?

She had no idea where the hopeful little voice came from, but yes, love should be worth the risk-if it went both ways. Too bad it didn’t in this case.

“Well, I’m glad to be getting out of here,” Cadence said, then glanced at Michael. “No offense.”

“None taken.”

“I can’t wait to get back and kiss home plate,” Andy said. “I think I’ll write a tell-all about our adventures here.”

Michael nodded. “Retain those movie rights, and maybe we’ll make a deal someday.” He looked around. “You’ll all be home soon, and happy for it, I imagine.” His eyes cut to Brandy. “Right?”

She didn’t look at him, so he pulled her around, and in front of everyone, tipped up her chin and looked into her eyes. “You could stay.”

“I have a job.”

“Work for me instead.”

“I don’t do private shows.”

“My assistant got married last week. Replace her.”

Brandy’s mouth fell open, speechless for what Dorie suspected was the first time in her entire life.

“Interested?” Michael asked.

“I don’t do sex. Not for a job. Not for any job.”

He arched a brow. “I said assistant, not piece of ass.”

“You are serious.”

“Of course I’m serious.”

“Oh my God…” Brandy looked bowled over.

“Come on,” Michael coaxed. “Take something good out of Denny’s stupidity.”

“Hey,” Denny objected. “If good stuff happens, I should get the credit for it.”

Michael didn’t take his gaze off Brandy. “What do you say?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll be your assistant.”

Michael’s smile was slow and pleased.

“Hey, why don’t you offer everyone a big life change,” Denny said. “Then no one can blame me for anything.”

“Not to let him be right or anything,” Brandy said to Michael. “But did I mention Cadence is an artist?”

“Do you have a portfolio?” Michael asked.

“Why, are you going to put my art on your walls?”

“If you’re any good.”

Cadence stared at Michael. “I’m really good.”

“My idea,” Denny said. “Remember that. And for Andy’s book, and the subsequent movie. I want credit for all of it, because you’re all good to go now.”

“Wait. Dorie,” Brandy said. “She’s-”

“A designer,” Dorie filled in for her, saying it out loud and proud, feeling it warm her from the inside out. “But I’m going home to get started on my own.”

Michael smiled. “Good for you.”

“See? Slate clean,” Denny said.

“What about me?” Christian asked more than a little wryly. “How are you going to appease me?”

Denny laughed. “Like I could appease you.”

“You could.”

“How?”

“I’ve given you two years of my life. You’re going to be lucky to sail away from this and keep your own freedom. So give me mine. Forgive my father’s debt.”

“I can’t, the deal wasn’t mine, but-”

“Ethan’s, as I now know. But you could make it go away, you know damn well you could.”