Docked (28 page)
She laughs darkly, a wicked lilt rolling from her tongue. “Oh, Tanner. Are you honestly that dense? Threatening me with….whatever this little
whore
is to you?” She steps forward, getting in his face, her shoulders square and ready to throw down. “Who do you think you’re dealing with, here?”
I cannot stand here and listen to this. I will either throw up or slap this woman. Tanner’s fate would be even worse, should I stand here any longer. I frantically veer around them both, but Tanner won’t let up. He starts after me, begging me to wait, and Jade is right on his heels, the sharp clack of her kitten heels following us out into the hallway. I jam at the elevator button, my pulse pounding fast. I’m in full fight-or-flight mode, and I cannot get off this ship fast enough.
I cannot get off this ship at all.
My finger jabs the button harder with this realization, my chest swelling tightly with anger—anger at myself for coming aboard again and getting myself into this mess, and anger at the lying, cheating son of a bitch who lured me here. “Tanner,” I warn, shutting my eyes and grinding my jaw, “if you know what’s good for you, you will leave me the hell alone. Right now. Don’t touch me, don’t speak to me. Just go.” My eyes open and roll up, willing the damn elevator doors to open.
Jade grabs at Tanner’s suit jacket sleeve and he pulls away, keeping his focus on me. “Anya, I’m begging you. I’ll tell you everything. I’m sorry. Please. Please, don’t leave.”
Jade crosses her arms and laughs. “Run along, Miss Banks. I’ll see to it we put in a fabulous word for you at Four Corners Elite.”
My head snaps toward her. The elevator doors open and I grill her hard, glaring until my eyes hurt. They just might pop out of my head. “And if you do, I’ll see to it that our publication exposes this affair to its full extent. Rest assured, Miss Simmons, I am prepared to fight dirty, if you make me.” My gaze slides to Tanner, including him in my threat.
Jade blows off my warning and looks to her fiancé. “Tanner, I’m giving you one chance to make the right decision. You get in that elevator with her, and I will see to it you lose everything, and I do mean
everything
. Or you walk away with me. Right now.”
I step into the elevator and my gaze jumps to Tanner. My fingers pause over the buttons. His face is red with fury, his eyes churning with conflict and despair. Barely a beat passes before he steps back, joining Jade’s side. His head drops, gaze cast to the floor, hands moving to his pockets.
The last thing I see before the elevator doors close is Jade’s pleased smirk and her arm curling around his, the sparkle in her eye beating at me like a heavy drum. The elevator descends, carrying me down into the ship’s bowels, and I close my eyes. I now know three things: I cannot play. Tanner Christensen wasn’t, isn’t, and never will be mine.
And I have to find a way to get the hell off this ship.
Coming Summer 2014
ANCHORED
Anya and Tanner’s Story, Part Deux.
Want something edgy, sexy, and drama-filled in the meantime?
Check out THE REPLACEMENT, available now! Looking for more steamy summer reads? Also check out LOVE AND RELATIVITY and THE PRESERVATION SERIES.
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