23. Ginevra

CHAPTER 23

Ginevra

Y ve stands up at the dinner table, glass raised. “I’d like to welcome you all aboard. We’ll be cruising together for the next three days, then we’ll arrive at the private island where this happy couple will be married on the beach at sunset.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “To the happy couple, Lexa and Franklin.” Everyone echoes her toast and we all drink.

When she goes to sit back down, I swear Franklin, who’s seated beside her, grabs her ass. Yve glances at him, then leans slightly forward in her seat and his eyes roll back in his head. I really don’t want to know what’s going on under that side of the table.

Meanwhile, Lexa stares at her barely touched food, seemingly lost in thought. She is my age, with straight blond hair and cornflower blue eyes set in a heart-shaped face. Where I’m all curves, she’s small and slim. Lexa has this pixie-like energy about her, she’s beautiful in an ethereal kind of way.

I find it strange that Lexa’s maid of honor, and only bridal party member because they’re keeping the wedding intimate, is Franklin’s twenty-five year old daughter Samantha. Lexa and Sam don’t really seem to know each other that well, so why’s she her maid of honor?

Then there’s Guy, Franklin’s best man. Those two must be good friends because they keep laughing about inside jokes that go right over everyone else’s heads. Personally, both those guys give me the creeps.

Thankfully, I’m seated between Blake and his brother Liam. Liam spends most of his time on his phone, which he hides under the table, barely paying attention to anyone. What a strange, disjointed family.

Franklin grunts and shudders, drawing my attention. Did Yve just jack him off? Gross. He winks at me, and my dinner threatens to come back up. Quickly, I drop my gaze. The last thing I want to do is draw that man’s attention. Huh, maybe my sense of self-preservation is finally kicking in?

Blake did his best to warn me about his family, but there’s a huge difference between hearing about them and experiencing them in person. He’s kept me close to his side all day and now I understand why. Even now, his arm rests across the back of my chair. It’s possessive, a barrier and shield against those around us. He’d prefer I wasn’t here—to protect me from his family. Since I have to be here, we should make the best of it.

Yve dabs her lips with the napkin and clears her throat. “After Lexa’s nuptials, I’m making it my mission to find Liam a beautiful bride. Maybe even… Samantha?”

Sam chokes on her wine, but Liam seems unfazed. “I’m already seeing someone,” he states, not bothering to look up from his phone. He’s playing an app game.

“Oh? Who’s the lucky girl?” Yve presses. When he doesn’t respond, she barks, “Liam?”

He finally glances up. “My boyfriend’s name is Maks.”

Silence descends on the table. You could hear a pin drop. I hide my smirk behind my wine glass. Did they really not know Liam’s gay? Arianna told me all about the drama between him and Maks, her bratva husband’s second in command. Liam’s all kinds of mixed up in that world, which Maks apparently hates because he wants to protect him.

“Well,” Yve’s voice has an edge to it. “There are places I could send you to fix your affliction. They have proven methods that could cure you.”

I gasp, shocked she’d say such a thing. Her attention darts to me, assessing, then shifts back to Liam. He glares at her for a moment before he shrugs, going back to his game. I can only imagine what it must have been like to grow up with a step-mother like that. I don’t like my father very much at times, but I’d choose him any day over Yve.

Blake’s been awfully quiet, so I glance at him. He’s watching his step-mother with a deadly glint in his eyes. For the first time, I wonder why he doesn’t make her disappear, like he has to so many other powerful people. She must be holding something over him. But what could it possibly be?

Suppressing a soft chuckle, I inwardly shake my head at myself. The list of potential blackmail items Yve could have on Blake is probably endless. He’s far from squeaky clean. If I wanted dirt on him, I could probably search his house and come up with something. Though I have no doubt he’s excellent at hiding his crimes. He must have slipped up at some point, doesn’t everyone?

After dinner and dessert we all have a nightcap in the lounge. The yacht is truly magnificent. It’s basically a floating mansion with full-on suites for bedrooms and all the amenities you could want. Plus staff. Despite some of the company, I’m enjoying myself.

With Blake tailing me, I have a seat next to Liam. “I heard you just graduated. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” He sips his scotch, making me think of a younger version of Blake. They have the same coloring, but Liam’s much easier going than his older brother. “I’d be much more excited to join the company if it didn’t mean working under… that.” He glances at Yve.

Blake grunts his agreement. “You won’t have to for long. One year, that’s all. Then the CEO position at Titan Enterprises goes to you.”

“Nepotism.” I cough. Blake glares at me and I chuckle.

Liam laughs. “Nepotism is alive and well in the Baron family. Pretty soon you won’t even notice it, and by the time you and Blake have kids you’ll be grateful for it.”

Blake and I glance at each other, both of us caught off guard by Liam’s comment.

“I-I’m sure you’re right.” I humor him. It feels odd that Liam doesn’t know our relationship is fake. But why would he? Blake kept his promise to tell no one, not even those closest to him about us.

Liam sighs. “Though there are times when I want to toss it all away and go work with Maks.”

“Work with Maks? Are you fucking insane?” Blake struggles to keep his voice low. “You’re not joining the Russian Bratva.”

“Duh.” Liam rolls his eyes. “It was a joke, Blake. Calm down. I know how much you’ve sacrificed to make sure I eventually take the CEO position in the company our father built. I’m not going to throw that all away. I’m grateful.”

Blake nods, his shoulders visibly relax.

Liam turns to me. “What about you, do you have any plans for college?”

“Hah. No. I’ve never been all that good at school. Not like my sisters.” I shrug. “I’m sure I’ll find something I want to do eventually. No rush, right?”

“Or you could stay home and take care of Blake’s babies. I just hope they have your personality and not his.” Liam laughs at his brother’s sour expression.

My own skin heats to an uncomfortable degree. Having children with Blake has never crossed my mind because this is supposed to be a short-term relationship, but apparently everyone else has thought about it. They expect it. Of course they do, we’re engaged to be married.

O ver the next couple of days, Yve makes sure all the men and women have a chance to get to know each other. Which means structured time for us girls to hang out together. I’ve come to the conclusion that Lexa’s miserable and I can’t believe Blake’s letting this wedding happen. Sam’s not so bad and we have a lot in common, from our taste in music to our love of cooking shows. Though unlike me, she would never set foot in a kitchen. But Sam likes the TV drama.

Yve really is a manipulative harpy. I believe Blake held back when he told me stories about her.

We’re sitting around the pool, sipping mimosas, when Yve says, “I don’t understand how you put up with Blake. You must suffer terribly.”

She’s fishing, baiting me, and I know it. Now it’s my job to convince her that Blake and I are madly in love with each other.

“Oh? What’s so bad about my fiancé?” My use of that word makes her twitch, so I keep slipping it into conversations whenever I can.

“He’s so mean. Rude all the time. Nothing is ever good enough for him. Plus he’s anti-social, and you’re the kind of girl who likes people.” She waves dismissively, her gold charm bracelet catches the sun, glinting.

Hm. She’s right on all counts. She knows her step-son pretty well.

“I happen to like Blake just the way he is. He’s not all bad.”

Yve’s laugh grates on my nerves. “You don’t have to lie to me, honey. He’s a brute and we both know it.”

“Honestly, I think that’s what I like about him. He has this sophisticated caveman thing going on and I love it.” My bright smile beams, without me having to force it. “Besides, once you get to know him, he’s a real catch. He’s much more complex than he appears. The loyalty he shows his family speaks volumes, and he’s perceptive, he always knows what I want before I do. He’s amazing.”

“I’m sure.” Yve turns to Sam and strikes up a conversation. If anyone else blatantly blew me off like that, I’d be hurt or annoyed, but I don’t expect anything less from this woman.

Politely excusing myself, I head inside. I’ve had enough tanning and awkward interactions for one day. And there’s still our group dinner to look forward to. I inwardly groan. Can I have room service? No one will notice my absence, will they?

I’ve just stepped through the door when a hand grips my arm and I release a startled yelp. His spicy cologne hits me right before he pulls my back to his chest and he murmurs in my ear, “Sophisticated caveman, huh? I liked being called amazing much better.”

“Are you always spying on me or is this a one-off?” I complain, while my heartbeat’s drumming against my ribcage from his touch and the rush of his breath against the shell of my ear.

“Always. Don’t ever forget it.” He releases me, and I turn to face him. “You’re such a good little liar that I almost believe what you said to Yve. Judging from her disgruntled expression, I think she does too.”

“That’s… that’s good.” What’s not good is that at some point when I was speaking to Yve, I stopped lying. Blake is perceptive, attentive in his own way, and I do admire his loyalty and love for his siblings. When did this happen? When did I start sliding into this dangerous territory?

I pull myself out of my spiraling thoughts. “We need to talk. In private.”

He nods and leads us to our bedroom suite, where I close the door behind us.

“You can’t let Lexa marry that man.” My hands rest on my hips. This is a hill I will die on. “She’s miserable. I don’t know her well at all—I mean we just met on this boat, and she barely talks, but I can tell she doesn’t want this marriage. Why are you allowing this to happen? I know you care for her wellbeing.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Enlighten me.” I step toward him. “I’m this close to dragging her into one of those emergency rafts, and seeing how we fare at sea, rather than let her walk down that aisle.”

He snorts.

“This isn’t funny.”

“No, it’s not, but you are.”

“I’m serious, Blake, I’ll do it. Don’t underestimate me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He pulls out his phone. “Let’s see what Lexa has to say.”

A moment later, a knock sounds on our door and I let Lexa inside. She’s so shy and demure, she reminds of my cousin Elena—Ravenna’s twin sister—who lives in Italy. Except Elena wasn’t always so closed off, something happened to her, and I don’t know what. Maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about protecting Blake’s step-sister, who I hardly know at all.

Blake motions to Lexa. “My fiancée’s concerned about your wellbeing and threatening to abscond with you, if her worries aren’t laid to rest. Believe me, you wouldn’t be the first thing she’s stolen, so why don’t you tell her your thoughts on your upcoming wedding.”

Lexa turns wide eyes on me, hesitating before she speaks. “I need to do this, to marry Franklin. You don’t understand, but this wedding is my way out. I’ll finally be free of my mother.”

“Can’t Blake free you from your mother?” I ask, confused and desperate to understand. “What do you need? Money? A safe place to stay? I—we can help you.”

She shakes her head. “No. I have to do this on my own. I can’t get anyone else involved, especially family.”

I glance at Blake, silently pleading for his help.

He shrugs. “I’ve already tried to offer her a way out. She won’t take it.” His gaze bores into her, and she swallows hard. I think she’s hiding something, but what can it be? What is she not telling us?

“I don’t understand. Why don’t you just—you know—kill her?” I sound callous, but come on, the woman’s ruining everybody’s lives. Besides, I grew up in a mafia family, the idea of eliminating someone who’s problematic isn’t that big of a deal.

Lexa answers. “Because she has dirt on Blake.”

“How do you know about that?” he demands.

“She bragged about it, of course. Liam and I both know she’s blackmailing you.”

I stare at both of them, stunned. What’s with all the blackmail? Yve’s blackmailing Blake, who is in turn blackmailing me. This is ridiculous, but I guess it’s the only language we all know how to speak. Threats, lies, and twisted agreements—without those we’d never achieve what we’re after.

Now, so much makes sense to me. Blake’s hands are tied when it comes to Yve.

“What is she blackmailing him with?” I ask Lexa.

“Apparently she had him followed and caught him murdering someone on film. This was years ago, but she still brags about it, and how he’ll never find the evidence.” Lexa taps her bottom lip. “What is it she says… Oh yeah, how he’ll never find it because it’s too obvious.”

Blake’s gaze snaps to her. “She does? What does that mean?”

“It’s probably embedded beneath her skin, who knows? You know what she’s like, what lengths she’ll go through.”

“I do,” Blake admits.

My mind races with the possibilities. Where would Yve hide that kind of evidence?

Blake’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Even if she has a copy on her, or someplace obvious, it won’t be the only one. Damn it.” He rakes his fingers through his hair.

Lexa shoots him a sympathetic smile. “I didn’t think to mention it before because it’s really not helpful information. It’s been years, Blake, you’re never going to find the recordings. We all just have to keep playing her games.”

He heaves a sigh, the lines between his brows deepen.

“Well, since Yve’s bent on making your lives hell,” I murmur, “what do you say about having a bachelorette party tonight?”

Lexa’s expression lights up for the first time. “Really?”

“Really.” When life gets shitty, there’s one thing that can make everything better for a while. A damn good party.