My thoughts went to Erica. The thought of her dying under the flag of being a weak member of the species was intolerable. But illegal was illegal. My hand smacked into his gold earrings as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I don’t care how pretty the colors are that you paint your picture with, you’re still a murderer. Faris didn’t die because of a bee sting.”

His brow furrowed. “Faris was going to give his records to the press.”

“Faris was a frightened man who loved his daughter.”

I put a hand on my hip and watched him fidget. It was very subtle: the tension in his jaw, the way he held his manicured fingers, the lack of any expression.

“So why don’t you kill me?” I asked. “Before I do the same?” My heart pounded, and I felt as if I was at a cliff’s edge.

Trent broke his persona of professional, well-dressed drug lord with a smile. “Because you won’t go to the press,” he said softly. “They will bring you down with me, and survival is more important than the truth to you.”

My face warmed. “Shut up.”

“It’s not a failing, Ms. Morgan.”

“Shut up!”

“And I knew eventually you’d work with me.”

“I won’t.”

“You already are.”

Stomach churning, I turned away. I gazed unseeing over the frozen river. A frown creased my brow. It was so silent I could hear the thumping of my heart—why was it that quiet?

I spun, hands gripping my elbows. Trent looked up from arranging the crease in his pants. His gaze was curious at the frightened look I knew I had. “What?” he said carefully.

Feeling unreal and disconnected, I took a step to the door. “Listen.”

“I don’t hear anything.”

I reached out and wiggled the knob. “That’s the problem,” I said. “The boat is empty.”

There was a heartbeat of silence. Trent rose, his suit making a pleasant hush. He looked more concerned than alarmed as he shook his sleeves down and came forward. Nudging me out of the way, he tried the handle.

“What, you think it’s going to work for you when it won’t work for me?” I said, grabbing his elbow and pulling him out from in front of the door. Balancing on one foot, I held my breath and kicked at the jamb, thankful that even luxury boats tried to keep everything as light as possible. My heel went right through the thin wood, my foot catching. The strips of my beautiful dress dangled and waved as I hopped ungainly backward to disentangle myself.

“Hey! Wait!” I exclaimed when Trent picked the splinters from the hole and reached through to unlock it from the outside. Ignoring me, he opened the door and darted into the hall.