*Shelby*“You’re right, it’s taking a little too long,” he said, quickly standing and walking away from the bed. “Let me go check on something. I’ll be right back.”I watched him leave with a mischievous grin on his face, which told me that he was keeping something to himself. But it didn’t seem to be anything I should worry about. I planned on staying in the stateroom to not spoil whatever he might be planning, but after a few minutes, I got antsy. So I went out to the deck, where something was definitely going on.The servers were going back and forth, setting out table and dining ware. Some of them greeted me when they passed, and a few exchanged quick glances. An event of some sort was definitely being set up, and perhaps they’d been told to keep it quiet or out of sight.I smelled the food before I saw it. The servers paraded several trays of seafood in front of me, setting them down on the table. This whole thing was beginning to look more like a feast t

*Michael*“I need you to tell me the truth,” Shelby said, staring at me through the mirror in front of her.“Of course, I’ll always tell you the truth,” I said, walking toward her.Shelby looked sick, and her knuckles were turning white as she gripped the edges of the sink. I went to put my hand on her back, but she flinched ever so slightly, so I pulled my hand back and let it drop to my side. “Was that man who was murdered back in New York City, just after Bruce was attacked, was that Blaine?” Shelby said, seeming to have a hard time getting the words out.I heaved a large sigh, knowing that telling the truth about what I’d done would most likely end in a huge fight with Shelby. It may even change the way that she felt about our relationship.“Why are you asking me if that was Blaine?” I asked. “What’re you really asking me, Shelby? Are you asking if it was Blaine, or are you asking if I had something to do with it?”“I guess I’m asking if you did

*Shelby*The next morning, I laid by the pool with my two best friends. We were all nursing a hangover and were taking the morning slow, so we could hopefully enjoy the rest of the day without being nauseous.“So, where’d you say Michael had to go so late last night?” Aubrey asked.“The head of his security team, who was attacked a few months ago, was finally released from the hospital. Michael wanted to be there for him. He’ll be back tonight, though,” I explained.“Bruce is going home?” Lin asked, and I nodded my head. “That’s so good to hear. I’ve been so worried about him. I obviously don’t know him as well as you and Michael, but he was always so nice to me. I’m glad that his recovery is going well.”“Me too. Things haven’t seemed right without Bruce around,” I said, pulling my sunglasses down over my eyes.“Have you two seen this?” Aubrey asked, passing me a magazine with the pages rolled back, open to an article with two very familiar people under t

*Shelby*The helicopter sent deck chairs flying as it landed. Small ripples were sent out in all directions across the surface of the water. I still couldn’t believe that the yacht was really big enough to have its own landing pad, but Michael landed with no problem. He stepped off of the helicopter just as the pilot killed the propeller.Michael ran across the landing pad and swept me up into his arms, spinning me in a small circle. A giggle burst out of my mouth as he squeezed me tighter. He finally set my feet back down on the solid deck, but he didn’t let me go.“I’m so glad that you’re safe,” he whispered in my ear.“I missed you so much. I’m so glad that you’re back,” I said, barely choking back the tears that threatened to fall as soon as I saw him.Michael released me from the embrace, but slipped his fingers through mine, and walked away from the helicopter. I was unsure of where he was leading me until we got halfway down a hallway I vaguely remembere

*Shelby*The jet skis motor filled my ears, and the cool breeze whipped against my face. I felt the sunlight on my eyes before I opened them. One side of my body was cold from being wet and exposed to the wind, and the other side of my body was warm against Michael. It took me a few seconds to remember exactly where I was.I came to just as Michael pulled the jet ski up to the side of the boat; the crew was waiting on the swim deck. One of the pool boys grabbed my arms to hoist me back onto the yacht. He settled me down on the swim deck, and I watched the blood pooling around my injured foot.Michael was at my side in seconds. He ripped his shirt off and wrapped it around my foot, securing it by tying the sleeves together in a makeshift tourniquet.“Is that okay? It needs to be tight enough to stop the bleeding but not to the point of pain,” Michael said, concern knitting his brows together.“No, it’s okay,” I answered, holding myself up on my elbows trying to