“But...we’re not dressed.” I eyed Sully’s lack of shirt. Tonight, the humidity levels had stayed far too high for clothing inside the villa. Sully had slipped off his t-shirt and shorts and stayed in black boxer-briefs while eating dinner, and I’d slipped into a copper bikini with tassels dangling off the top. My hair was wild with island waves, and Sully looked positively sinful.
He smirked. “Better answer it. He knows you’re online.”
“I’ll just go put some clothes on—”
Sully reached across and in a move too fast to stop, swiped accept. He gave me a quick wink. “It’s time I met your father, don’t you think?”
The screen loaded an image of my dad, his greying hair spiked from his hands, bags heavy under his eyes. He’d aged and guilt squeezed me for being the reason.
“Hey, Dad. I’m so sorry I’ve been an awful daughter. I should’ve called you weeks ago. It’s not fair at all.”
He cleared his throat, his eyes casting over me in my state of undress. “You finally answered. I’ve been calling this damn thing since you left that terrifying message on my voicemail.”
“I know. I have no excuse. I’m unbelievably sorry.”
“You, um, have a parrot on your shoulder.”
I rubbed my cheek against Skittles, earning a quick beak kiss. “I do.”
“Why do you have a parrot on your shoulder?”
I smiled. “Because she adopted me, and I stole her from Sully.”
“Sully being the man who caused all this mess. The man who I read very disturbing things about online. The man many are calling a heinous murderer and a psychopath.”
“A man who has a past but isn’t a psychopath. A man I fell for.” I winced, wanting to ignore the fact that he’d read the articles I had online, not sure how to brush such things away.
He scrubbed his face before muttering, “I think you have some explaining to do, young lady.”
I smiled wider, hearing the switch in his tone from angry to miffed. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
He huffed. “Those allegations...are they real? He won’t hurt you?”
“He’d never hurt me in a million years, and as for the allegations, they’re in the past. He isn’t that same man anymore. You’ll just have to trust me on that and forget you read such things.”
“I expect a deeper explanation soon, Ellie, but right now, I’m just so glad you’re alive.” Peering around me, he asked, “Where are you?”
The outdoor lantern painted us in a romantic hazy illumination and the splash of Nirvana most likely distorted some of the sound but at least he could tell I was in one piece.
I was alive, and lucky enough to be sharing my world with someone I’d almost lost.
“I’m in the archipelago still, at the coordinates this phone gave you. It’s called Goddess Isles.”
“And that man who you assure me won’t hurt you? That pharmaceutical CEO who ought to be in prison if the newspapers have a shred of truth—”
“Sully, sir.” Sully leaned forward, crowding into the screen. His naked chest probably gave my father incorrect conclusions of what we’d been up to. “And your daughter is quite right, I would never hurt her and those allegations online are no longer who I am. However, I will admit that I would hurt any man or woman who dare put Eleanor in danger. She’s changed me in many ways, but I would still make others bleed if they put her life in jeopardy.”
“Sully,” I hissed. “Stop it.”
He just shrugged and raised an eyebrow. “You have my word, Mr. Grace, that you have nothing to worry about from me. I love your daughter more than I’ve loved anyone.”
“Eh...” My dad’s wrinkled cheeks pinked as Sully nodded respectfully all while Pika stayed dozing on his head and Sully’s eyes flashed with violence. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
Sully smiled, doing his best to shed his aggression and be magnanimous. “Let’s just focus on the here and now. It’s an honour to finally meet you.”
“Eh...likewise, I suppose.” My father swallowed, eyeing up Pika but deciding not to ask. “Um...you look different to your company photograph online. Clothing is preferable.”
“Suits have a tendency to hide the real man, sir.” Sully grinned. “And we’re currently in the tropics, so excuse my lack of attire.”
“Fine. And you don’t have to call me sir. Ross is good enough.” My dad sighed. “My name is Ross and, as long as you keep my Ellie safe, then...I guess the rest can be discussed at a later date.” He wasn’t happy and his many questions glowed in his gaze, but he’d always done his best at accepting my decisions and reserving judgment.
“Ross then.” Sully squeezed my hand, unseen from my father’s angle. “I’m the reason your daughter hasn’t called, I’m afraid. I...wasn’t well for a while and her attention was very gratefully on me. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”
My dad’s gaze snapped back to me. “What on earth happened over there? And what precisely is going on between you two?” His shoulders puffed up. “I think...I think I would prefer a private conversation with my daughter, Mr. Sinclair. I need to know she’s happy and taken care of.”
“Dad, I’m fine. Honestly. I know I made you worry and you’ll be utterly confused, but please accept that things are—”
“I understand your desire to speak to her away from me, Ross, but allow me to give you the information you require.” Holding out his hand, Sully waited until I’d placed the phone into it before leaning back on his lounger and saying, “Your daughter and I met through unconventional means, but I have full belief that it wasn’t chance but destiny. I know you have no reason to trust me, or believe a word I say, but I need you to listen when I say that I love her. I love her more than any achievement or asset, pet or person
