Jinx's Fantasy - Pepper Winters Page 0,7
stance were familiar. I hadn’t met the woman next to him before, but judging by the way Prest inched closer to her and she placed her fingers next to his on the balustrade hinted they were together.
“Welcome aboard, Mr. Sinclair,” Prest said as I leaped from my speedboat and turned to lift Eleanor to my side. Pika and Skittles had flown part of the way with us but had turned back, preferring to wait instead of joining us.
Leaving Cal to be responsible for Jess’s safety, I held Jinx’s hand and climbed up the sweeping carved staircase, noting the garage that’d been revealed by lowering the platform. Two jet skis waited in matching grey and blue, a wall of wetsuits and oxygen tanks, and tucked in the back was a two-person submarine that’d been listed on the attributes that I’d failed to read.
Hidden past the submarine, two motorbikes waited to be used on land along with a small Audi coupe.
Shit, this thing literally had more transport in its belly than my whole atoll.
Eleanor’s eyes widened as I caught her stare, her impressed nod hinting that she approved of our new possession.
Reaching the top deck, I let Eleanor go and closed the small distance to Elder Prest. I bowed at the woman beside him and held out my hand for him to shake. “Impressive boat.”
His lips twitched. “Thank you. I hope you’re pleased with your purchase.”
“You’re a day early.”
“The currents were swifter than we thought.” He shook my hand, letting me go almost as quickly as he took it. His black stare matched his blue-black hair, and I’d been right about his authenticity when we’d first met at Hawksridge Hall.
He had exotic blood in his veins, judging by his almond eyes and flawless honey skin. “I assume our earlier arrival doesn’t cause too much inconvenience.”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
Radcliffe, Rory, Jess, and Cal arrived behind me.
“Please, allow me to introduce you.” I pulled Eleanor forward. “This is my wife, Eleanor, and behind me is my security team, Radcliffe and Rory, my head of affairs, Cal Moor and his wife, Jessica.”
“Pleasure.” Prest bowed regally toward Eleanor and Jess and nodded politely at the men. “Allow me the same courtesy. This is Tasmin, my...fiancée.”
“Hello, Tasmin.” I nodded, narrowing my eyes as she flinched an infinitesimal amount. If I wasn’t used to dealing with girls I’d trapped and tortured, I would’ve missed the flair of guardedness about her.
Prest noticed that I’d noticed, his brow coming down and his shoes placing him slightly in front of his wife-to-be. “If you have a couple of hours free, I’ll escort you around and introduce you to the staff. Then we’ll be on our way.”
I scowled at the horizon. “How will you depart? I see no other yachts.”
“Phantom is behind us. They’ll be here soon.”
“Phantom?”
He cocked his head. “My own yacht. Tasmin and I have been sailing for some time—a vacation, if you will. We decided to personally deliver your purchase before we have other engagements to attend.”
I smiled. “Very kind of you to complete the hand over personally.”
“Yes, well, I don’t normally get involved with clients, but as I said, we’ve been sailing and going where the wind directs.”
“It’s been wonderful,” Tasmin said, her voice slightly husky with a thread of fierceness I wasn’t expecting. “You’ll be glad you purchased such a thing. Sailing truly is one of the best things you can do.”
“I prefer land beneath my feet,” I said.
“But you need the ocean close by, judging by how small your islands are and how private you are about your location,” Prest murmured.
I narrowed my eyes, not appreciating his astute understanding of me. “We guard our anonymity.”
“As do we.” He took Tasmin’s hand. Their height difference made it seem as if he sheltered her from everything. Her brown hair and green eyes crowned stubborn-set shoulders and a strength that didn’t come from everyday life but tragedy somewhere along the line.
What was her story?
How had they met and how fucked up had their romance been? As bad as mine with Eleanor? Was Elder responsible for the silver scars visible on her forearms as the sun caught her skin? Or had he saved her from the man who’d hurt her?
Eleanor stepped forward and touched Tasmin’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Tasmin. I’m very excited to see more.”
Tasmin jolted but swallowed and smiled politely. “Follow us. We’ll show you how to use your new floating home.” She smiled and stood taller. “There is much to go over. But