Once Bitten - C.M. Steele Page 0,11
man had it out for me. He didn’t think I was good enough for his daughter. Hell, I didn’t either, but there was no way I could give her up. Jamie meant the world to me and even her father wouldn’t get in the way of our forever.
“Can you tell her it’s important that she call me when she gets home?”
“Sure, I will.”
She never called.
She thought she could avoid me, that not taking my calls or answering emails would stop me, but she was wrong. It had been the longest two weeks of not hearing from her, but at least I saw her when I could, even if she had no idea I was keeping an eye on her. Not only did I have Ian and Mia on my side keeping their eyes on her, but I had hired a security team to protect her.
I walked out of the local hospital in Bimini with my hand bandaged.
“Still no response?” Danny asked, looking at me with complete pity that I didn’t need.
“She’s being stubborn. Mia told me that Jamie misses me, so that’s enough. If she wants to be pigheaded, that’s fine, but I’ll be back on land in a week and she’ll be my wife.”
“What are you going to do? Drag her kicking and screaming?” Danny asked.
Nodding without hesitation. “If I have to, then so be it. She promised she was mine, and I can’t think straight.”
“I know. How’s your hand, by the way?”
“It’s fine. I needed my head in the game.” I looked down and saw the bandages. I was lucky they were only puncture wounds and my hand or body didn’t get devoured.
“It’s okay. She’ll be waiting for you. You need to be careful and focused. The ocean’s a dangerous place without distractions.” The painkillers had kicked in and I felt a little off-kilter. Danny latched her arm around mine, steadying me, and then suddenly, I saw a bright light flash.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell the crew if you promise to rest.”
“Thanks.” We walked to a little eatery to meet with the rest of the crew who were waiting for me to order.
“You’re alive, you fucking idiot,” Chris, my boat captain said.
“Thanks, guys.”
“Well, next time keep your hands away from the shark’s mouth.”
“Fuck off. I’m hungry so leave me alone.”
“You’re one lucky SOB.”
That was for sure. Although I’d be luckier if my woman called me back.
Every damn twenty minutes, I rechecked my phone, but there was nothing. Losing my patience, I sent a message to my security team. Quickly I received a response. She’s relaxing inside her home.
I boarded the boat with a determination to make it through the rest of the week until I could get to my girl. I passed out as soon as I got to my cabin and slept until the next morning.
The sun was just rising when I woke up and was preparing to assist, but I felt like shit. Leaning over, I popped some pills and passed back out.
“Devin, Devin, Devin.” I felt my body being jerked awake, but I could barely make out who was shaking me.
“Devin. Wake up. Shit. You have a fever.” My cousin snapped. “You missed a dose of meds. Damn it. Here. Take this.” She helped me sit up and take my antibiotics. “You’re done with the rest of the trip.”
“I’m fine.”
“No you’re not.” She pressed her hands on her hips and shook her head. I knew if it had been anyone else who pulled the dumb move I did, I’d send their ass back to the mainland.
“Please. I’d hate to end this without finishing the show.”
“Fine. Break the fever and we’ll do the last bit before we return to Miami.”
“Good. Now let me rest.” A few hours later, my fever broke and I felt a lot better, but I took it easy and filmed a few quick spots before they sent me to port in Miami.
Chapter Six
Jamie
My father was right. Devin couldn’t be faithful to me. I hated that he sent someone to spy on Devin, but it proved everything my father warned me about. Every time I looked at the photo, I’d break down again. “How could he?” I whimpered, feeling sick to my stomach again. Up and out of bed, I rushed to the bathroom and threw up. For the past three days, I hadn’t been able to keep anything down.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Dad asked through the door. He regretted showing me the picture the second he realized how devastated I was. I