shit has done to you and Lullu … how could you just spread your legs—”
Ben didn’t get to complete his sentence. Ray balled his fists and stepped forward. But Mina beat him to it as she pulled back her right arm and let fly. Her flat hand connected with Ben’s cheek in a resounding crack.
“That ends now, Benjamin Meintjies. I’ll see you up at my office.”
Ben didn’t react to her slap, but merely glared at Ray, spun around, and marched toward the farmhouse.
“I’m sorry,” Ray whispered.
“Enough, Ray. You’ve apologised and now it’s done. Get back to your cabin. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Ray nodded reluctantly. What she asked of him wasn’t easy, but right then, she needed to lay down the law or chaos would follow.
Ray stomped into his room. Cyril lay on his bed, reading a well-used porno mag.
“Where you’ve been?” The man glanced over the edge of the book.
“Running.”
“Ja, well Mr Meintjies was looking for you. Seems you like to poke the bear, ne.” Cyril chuckled.
“Seems so.” Ray grabbed clean clothes, his towel, and toiletries.
“Ja, well take some good advice, sonny boy. Stay away from the boss and keep your head down. If Mr Meintjies decides to make life hard for all of us because of you, I can’t protect you.”
Ray paused and gave Cyril his hardest, coldest stare. “Never asked you to.”
“Fine. Don’t say I didn’t try warn you.”
13
Mina stood at the top of the hill which gave her a view over the vast Atlantic.
Sun sprites danced on its rolling waves, and in the distance, a pod of dolphins played silly buggers, surfing the applauding waves as they clapped against the shore.
Summer was on its way, and she thrilled at the feel of the hot sun enveloping her. How blessed she was. She, a coloured woman, a single mother—for now—owned one of the most productive abalone farms in South Africa. She also ran the most successful offender rehabilitation centre on the entire continent.
Mina’s gaze coveted her kingdom. Yes, here she was king, queen, and ruler. She’d be damned if any arseholes dared to try and take it from her.
Her eyes grazed over the warehouses and came to land on the inmate living quarters.
The week had come and gone and she was no closer to resolving any of the issues plaguing Redemption. Though she’d tried to stay away after their meeting on the beach, she couldn’t help herself and had gone in search of Ray the very next day.
So much for one step at a time—she was practically leapfrogging her way toward another broken heart.
She and Ray had figured out that the time after work and before dinner was best for their clandestine snogs. And the best place was the old maid’s quarters on the far side of the house, neatly ensconced by the large, ever-blooming bougainvillea. It housed a lot of old boxes, and an old bed.
Really, she was acting like an impulsive teen again, but she couldn’t help it. All common sense fled her adult self-control when it neared that time of the day.
Seagulls drifted on the ocean breeze as a sailboat bobbed across the bay. Was it finally time for her to be absolutely happy? Yes she was worried about Becky and her son somehow being complicit in the poaching, but there were more important people in her life now. Would her greatest fear come to life—would Ray fail them once again?
Her heart and her body ached for him. They should’ve held steadfast and kept some distance—mainly to prevent painting a target on his back, although she suspected it was too late for that any way.
“Hello Mommy. It’s time, or can I go on my own?” Lullu, still in school uniform, called as she jogged across the lawn.
“Wait right there young lady.” Mina summoned her best, don’t you mess with me, tone, and her daughter skidded to a halt.
She looked once more over the waters and closed her eyes, ‘God give me strength.” She whispered in to the breeze.
Turning she walked over to her daughter and the pair stood at the top of the steps separating the camp from the farm house.
“Do you think he forgot?” Lullu bounced up and down where she stood.
Mina bit the inside of her cheek, Ben was probably holding him up with some mundane task in retaliation to her arrangement. Plucking her phone from her jacket Mina quickly sent and message to her farm manager.
“Look, here he comes.” Mina pointed a few moments later as Ray came trotting toward them and