“I can’t promise that, Marina. Not until I know you’re okay. Not just hearing you say it, but knowing it. I need to see you physically, mentally, and financially, okay. You almost died in my arms. Like it or not, that connected us, and I’d be a shit person if I didn’t grab onto that connection and let it take us wherever you want it to go. Truth is, I’m not okay until you are. You’re stuck with me until then. Understood?”

She sighs and nods. “Two castaways on the same boat, huh?”

“Yes, but it’s not just a boat. It’s a damn pirate ship reclaiming what’s been taken from you. As much as we can, anyway. I want you to ram it into the Sullivan’s cruise ship. Sink them, Marina.”

She laughs at this like she’s had similar ideas, her distress vanishing in her amusement.

“Make them regret the day they valued your body over you,” I say more seriously. “Make them regret ever pretending to be your family.”

Her hands slide to the crook of my elbows. At first, I think she’s pulling away, but she tugs my arms loose instead. When she latches onto me, I’m stunned. I’m no hugger. Aside from Mom and Elena, people know better than to try.

Even so, I wrap around her, her head tucked under my chin, and my hand laced into the soft bands of her hair, holding her close to me. She grips my shoulders like she doesn’t want me to let go. Not that I would.

For her, anything goes. I know this already. Whatever I have to give is hers to take.

20. Marnie

CHAPTER TWENTY

Marnie

Marnie Strange, what’re you doing? I nearly stumble, leaving Grady Tripp’s impressive chest and strong, melt-me-like-butter-on-a-hot-day arms. I let go of the poor man, blushing from embarrassment and flushed with something else—I dare not speak it.

“Sorry, Grady. I’ll refrain from taking advantage of you for free hugs. You’re not the hugging type, are you?”

He looks confused. “No, but it’s okay.”

“Not okay,” I argue, finger-wagging. “It’s not every day that I score the protection and help of a pirate captain. I got carried away.”

“First of all, you’re the captain. And if I thought you were overstepping, I would’ve told you. For you, hugs are allowed. Encouraged, even. Let’s keep it between us, though. I can’t let anything ruin my Grouchy Tripp reputation.”

He makes me smile, and everything feels lighter. “Understood.”

His hands perch on his hips as he takes in the oversized, rundown convenience store behind us. “Are you sure about this? I didn’t know how bad it’d gotten. Trying to turn this place around seems like agreeing to take a nosedive into a pool of shit.”

“Wow, what creative imagery,” I chuckle. “I’m sure.”

“Truth?”