I frowned at Eleanor. What the hell was she doing donating stuff in my name? What the fuck was Naked Charms?
“Oh, that’s great news.” She winked at me, totally aware of my silent questions but studiously ignoring me. “Thanks.”
“Guess you’ll have to tell Sinclair what you’ve been up to when he wakes. If you survive his tirade, remind me to shout you a drink. You have balls, girl. Wait till he sees the spreadsheet of where his latest outgoings have gone.”
Eleanor ran her hand through her hair, keeping my stare but looking less sure. “Eh, well...I actually have something to tell you about that.”
“Oh, yeah? Bastard didn’t die, did he?”
“Bastard is well and truly alive and contemplating revoking your access to his funds,” I barked. “What the hell have you been doing?”
“Sullivan?” Calvin’s shock bled through the phone. “Holy shit, you’re awake.”
“It’s official. You’re fired. Stupid statements like that aren’t tolerated.” I chewed a laugh.
“If I had any doubts that you’d suffered personality changes after lying on your ass for six weeks, you’ve just put my mind at rest,” Cal snickered. “Still the same ole cunt as before.”
“Glad I could do something right and ease your troubled mind, seeing as I’ve been made redundant from my own company.” I couldn’t hold back my chuckle this time, unclenching my fist and managing to raise my arm just enough to beckon Eleanor to come closer. “Miss me or having too much fun being me?”
“Fuck yes, we missed you. We all did.”
“Hi, Sullivan. I’m so glad you joined us again.” Jess’s sweet tone cut through the masculine ribbing between Cal and me.
All ability to joke evaporated. “Jess...” I swallowed hard as Eleanor sat beside me, placing the phone on my chest and leaving the speaker option on. “I wanted to say this in person, but I can’t wait.”
“Oh, what’s wrong?”
Looking at Eleanor, I whispered, “Did you tell her?”
“Tell her what?” she asked too quiet for the phone to relay.
“About the money that I asked the lawyers to deliver in the case of my death—”
“No.” She shook her head. “Cal knows. I left it up to him to tell her...if you passed.”
“Good.” Clearing my throat, I raised my voice so Jess could hear. “I owe you a huge debt, Jessica. What you did with Drake, I’ll never be able to repay. You protected Eleanor when I couldn’t. You protected me, knowing I wouldn’t cope seeing him hurt her. You put your own life and happiness on the line for me...a man who never deserved such loyalty.”
Something rustled down the line before Jess said quietly, “It’s fine. You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do. I also need to say you’re free. You’re free to go home, travel, do whatever the hell you want. You’re no longer trapped here. Our contract is null and void.” I cleared my throat, doing my best to swallow around all the things I’d done wrong against this woman. “I know money can’t erase what I did to you, nor delete the guests you had to entertain, but I’d be honoured if you’d accept four million dollars as my attempt at apology.”
“Four?” Eleanor’s eyebrows rose, her lips curling into a smile. “Getting generous in your old age.”
I smirked and carried on. “I owe you everything, Jess. Along with the money, I also vow to deliver whatever you ask of me. You can ask today or a decade from now, and whatever you request, you shall have it.”
Silence fell. Cal’s cough sounded in the background before Jess said softly, “I appreciate your generosity, Sullivan. And I mean it when I say you don’t have to give me money. What I did with Drake was out of friendship, but I will accept the funds, if it makes things even between us.” A slight pause before she added, “I do have one request, if I may?”
“It’s yours. What do you want?”
“Can I stay? Can I stay on this island with you and Jinx and...Cal?”
My eyes snagged Eleanor’s. Her grey gaze shimmered with adoration, and her hand reached for mine, linking our fingers.
Skittles landed on her shoulder, and Pika roosted on my head, and it seemed like fate pressed a pause button for me to fully appreciate this moment.
To understand precisely what I was gaining by agreeing to Jess’s request.
I wasn’t just allowing another couple to live on my shores, to share in my gardens, or to indulge in this tropical paradise. I was saying yes to friends, yes to family, yes to trust.
A network of happiness.
A bond that extended past the woman I’d fallen for and opened up my darkened world with promises of something so simple and satisfying.
Something I’ve never had before.
Squeezing Eleanor’s hand, I spoke to her as well as to Jess. “Of course, you can stay. This is your home. Our home. Cal’s and Eleanor’s and mine. We’re family.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
THE FIRST FEW DAYS of Sully’s recovery followed bursts of vibrant energy, vows of leaving his bed to go swimming in his waterfall, and unbelievable progress in both his motor control and strength, only to be followed by bouts of deep restful sleep that slammed into him without warning.
He hated succumbing to sleep. Cursed each time he woke and resumed the exercises Louise had given him. I understood his desire to return to his original capabilities, but it hurt to see him push so hard, to see the pain in his eyes, to witness the horror that he’d fallen asleep outside of his control yet again.
He didn’t celebrate the victories he achieved. He didn’t care that he could raise his arms, operate
