“As it turns out, I’m currently with Magnus Reinhardt of all people. He’s taking me out on a boat, just the two of us.”
“That’s great!” he says, sounding hopeful and surprised.
“Not exactly. You don’t honestly think he’s just going to reveal insider secrets about his company to me while we’re galavanting around the Mediterranean, do you?”
“Yes but—”
“Or maybe I can just get the ten-million dollars, plus daily interest, directly from him?”
“I already apologized, Sloane.” Now he sounds petulant. “Your name just popped into my head when they took me. I guess I thought…with all the stuff you do for Mom and Dad and grandpa, and your high-paying job—”
“That I had that much money just lying around? Theo, I bought grandpa season tickets to the Knicks and sent Mom and Dad on a cruise. That hardly makes me a multi-millionaire.”
“Again, I’m sorry, Sloane. I was just so desperate. I didn’t mean for you to get wrapped up in this. I really didn’t. Linus, he just—”
“He just used you as usual,” I say bitterly. “You’re brilliant, Theo, you really are, but sometimes so dumb it boggles the mind. That brain of yours should be put to better use.”
It’s true. Theo has an IQ that’s almost off the charts. I feel bad about being so blunt with Theo, but maybe that’s what my brother needs. His brain is literally like a calculator or even a computer. His heart is the stupid organ, too easily aligned with the wrong kind of people.
Case in point: Linus Caldwell and his never-ending, harebrained, money-making schemes.
Don’t even get me started.
I see Magnus hanging up, focusing his attention back on me.
“I’ve got to go. If I don’t check in by…ten o’clock tonight, my time, then I suppose you should call in the Calvary.”
“If something happens to you, something happens to me too, Sloane.”
“Well, I guess I’ll meet you in the afterlife,” I sigh before hanging up, just in time for Magnus to come within hearing distance.
“All your safeguards in place?” he asks, a tiny smile dancing at the edges of his taunting lips.
“I was just calling my brother to let him know where I’ll be.”
He stares at me for a moment, long enough for me to wonder if he heard some of my conversation.
“It will take a few minutes for the food to arrive. Let’s get settled.”
Once again, he reaches out his hand. Now, I’m wondering if this is less an act of chivalry and more an act of dominance.
I take it.
On the way into his boat, he easily reaches down to grab the bottle of wine. Something about the movement is deceptively playful, like he’s nothing more than a teenager taking a girl out for a joyride on his father’s expensive boat.
It would be amusing if I bought it for even half a second.
I’m a firm believer in women’s intuition. While the alarm bells in my head for some reason don’t speak to danger, I’m fully aware that I’m probably being played just as much as I plan on playing Magnus.
So we’re both after something.
The only question is, what the hell is Magnus Reinhardt after?
Chapter Five Magnus
While I didn’t hear this supposed conversation with her brother, I certainly read Sloane’s body language and facial expression as she so vehemently spoke into her phone.
I would understand if she was simply letting someone know where she was going and who with. Safety first.
But this was no simple check-in.
What are you up to, Sloane Alexander?
I fully plan on finding out.
Especially considering everything that’s happened recently.
“Careful,” I say, maintaining a hold on her hand as she gingerly steps onto the rocking boat. My eyes fall to the dark brown leg that stretches out, and I wonder if the rest of that glorious skin is as smooth underneath her dress.
When I meet her eyes, they stare back with indignation, as though she reads my mind perfectly.
Keep reading, Sloane.
She’ll learn only that which I choose to reveal to her.
I release her hand to disappear into the small cabin area, seeking out a glass for her to finish off this bottle. No sense in letting it go to waste—in more ways than one. Perhaps it will loosen both Sloane’s inhibitions and her lips.
The inside of the Riva Rivamare is just as detailed as the exterior. The bar is fully stocked with everything needed to enjoy a drink or a meal on board. I pop back up with a clear glass and pour for her. She eyes it warily as I hand it to her.
“You’re not joining me?”
I nod my head toward the helm. “I have to drive. You might as well enjoy it while we wait for the food to arrive.”
She considers that for a moment, then takes the glass.
I sit on the U-shaped seating area in back and motion for her to sit next to me. Once again, she takes that under consideration before following through. At this point, it’s irritatingly amusing. Whatever it is she’s after must be important if she’s this skittish.
“So, what brings you to Monte Carlo?” I ask in an idle tone.
She eyes me over the edge of the glass as she takes a sip. After swallowing, she looks out at the marina around us. “It’s a beautiful city. I thought I’d visit.”
A plausible enough excuse.
“How long are you here for?”
This time as she ponders the question, she takes her time, as though wondering how to answer.
“Long enough,” she says, now staring into her wine.
“That’s an ambiguous response.”
She lifts her eyes and gives me a wry smile. “Forty days. Though I certainly don’t plan on using the full amount.”
“Why on earth not?” I say with a grin. “There are plenty of ways a woman such as yourself could enjoy Monte Carlo for forty days.”
Her eyes narrow, completely unimpressed with the insinuation.
Before we can continue, Daniel arrives with the food I had prepped for this little adventure of mine. With the new plus one, I doubled the order earlier when I called on the phone. On
