Right now she was free. She intended to keep it that way. “No. I want off this boat. Now. How many ways do I need to say it? Do I need to call the local authorities to board this boat and have you arrested?”
“You can’t do that.”
“I can, and I will if you don’t give me another choice.”
He inhaled, let out a sigh, and moved toward her, the book in his hand. Was he really going to make it this easy? Somehow she knew he wasn’t.
“I’m sorry. More than I can say,” he said, holding the book out toward her.
She reached for it, but he grabbed her wrist, hauling her against his chest.
“You’re stubborn.”
She tilted her head back, angry at herself for being stupid enough to believe he’d hand over the book and let her go, especially since he’d already stated he wouldn’t.
“You’re an ass.”
“Yes, I am. But you’re still coming with me.”
She struggled, kicking at him, but with bare feet she really could do no damage against his muscular body. And her upper body was pinned, since he’d wrapped an arm tight around her chest.
He moved to the phone at the side of his bed. He pushed one number, obviously the ship’s captain, because he gave an order and directions to get moving.
They were headed to Sicily, not back to Malta.
Which made no difference to her. Once they reached land, she had a chance to get away. And she could get lost more easily in Sicily.
She stopped struggling, figuring she’d save her energy and bide her time, and soon enough she’d get away from Dalton.
With her mother’s diary.
She was smart and resourceful, and while she’d made a critical error in trusting Dalton, it could have happened to anyone. He flashed his money and power-his friendliness and a chance at making a connection with someone-at her when she’d really needed it, and she’d been stupid enough to fall for his lies.
Remorse hit her straight in the belly as the boat headed away from the dive spot. She’d been so close to finding what she’d been looking for.
Then again she’d spent her entire life searching for. . something. She’d never been able to figure out what that “something” was.
Maybe it hadn’t been treasure after all.
Maybe it had been her identity.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
They were loading up the car when Ryder got a phone call.
Angelique froze and tried to listen to the voice on the other end. When Ryder hung up, he turned to her.
“Dalton’s bringing Isabelle. We’ll meet them.”
“I thought you said it was a bad idea to get us together?”
“Change of plans.”
Weird, but she wasn’t going to question it. Not if the end result was seeing her sister. “Okay. Where?”
“Near Catania. On the northeast side.”
Angelique zinged with trepidation. “Is Isabelle all right?”
“She’s fine.”
They climbed in the car and Ryder headed out. They were a few hours away, and she couldn’t contain her excitement at seeing her sister again. But she wondered why now, and especially when Ryder was so adamant earlier about keeping them apart.
“Something is wrong. What is it?”
“Your sister is pissed. And something happened. We figure you can help.”
“What is she upset about?”
“Don’t know. Something about your mother’s diary and some secrets your mom wrote in there. Dalton found it and read it. He didn’t go into detail, just said there’s some serious shit in it.”
“Secrets? Secrets about what?”
“He didn’t say.”
Dammit. She didn’t know Mother had kept a diary. And how did Isabelle get hold of it? And more important, why wouldn’t Izzy tell her about it? If there was something upsetting in the diary, why wouldn’t her sister confide in her?
She needed to talk to Isabelle as soon as possible. And see that diary. She was dying to know what was in it that was so earth-shattering.
