Page 88 of Stolen Princess

“I’m sorry I overreacted in the car.”

Her hands drag along my cheeks, and she kisses me. “You’re forgiven.”

I’m a balloon. Something light that floats and is tethered to something holding it to the ground, but in constant peril of popping.

She picks up the bottle of sparkling water sitting in the sand beside us and twists the cap. Only the cap doesn’t budge with her slippery, wet hands, and she works it harder.

A wheezing sound comes from the top of the bottle, and before I can tell her not to open it, she gets the cap off, and water shoots out like a geyser, soaking both of us.

“Ah! What the hell?” she cries, staring down at her body that’s soaked in carbonated water.

“You shook the bottle.”

“I did not! It wouldn’t open. That’s not my fault. I don’t even like bubbly water.”

“Next time ask for l’eau mineral sans gas.”

“Merci. Super helpful right now.”

“Stick with me, princess.” I squeeze her ass and lift her, taking us both out of the sand.

“You mean stick to you.” She laughs only to make a noise. “What are you doing?”

“We’re covered in mineral water. I’m taking us into the ocean to wash off.” She wraps her arms and legs around me, a happy smile on her lips now that I’m done with the heavy questions.

I walk us straight into the water, going deeper and deeper, ignoring the biting cold and her gasp. I clutch her tighter and dunk us both. We shoot immediately back up, and I take her bottom lip between my teeth, hungry once again for her. That is, until I feel something move by my legs. Something big and sleek.

“Fuck!”

“What?” she cries, searches the clear water, and climbs up me with a frightened squeak. I don’t have it in me to look. “What is that?”

“A shark.”

“A shark?!”

“That’s what I’m thinking it is, yes.” I can’t see what kind, but I felt the side and movement of the body, and sharks are very common in these waters at this time of year. Without waiting to find out, I spin and get us out of here, fighting the waves as I run back onto shore. The shark won’t follow. It’s too shallow for it.

“Holy shit! You could have told me there were sharks. I was in the water all day.”

“Relax. Shark attacks are extremely rare.”

“Fabulous.” She wiggles out of my arms and turns back toward the water. “Oh my god! Look!” Three dorsal fins are moving through the water not far from where we were just standing. She runs toward the shore to watch them go—likely Mako sharks from the looks of them.

But something she said is sticking with me. That piece about how excited she was to have a family in her life. Unease weighs on my shoulders, and I let out a breath.

Tomorrow is going to be dangerous. Despite what I told her, it’s not smart. But I can’t let her miss out on her dream. I also can’t let her get hurt.

More than that, I won’t allow anything to happen to her.

At least right now, I know she’s safe. No one comes down here.

I take another picture of her—a little more than addicted to that as I am to her—then go back to my searches on my phone while she’s preoccupied. I don’t know how I’ll let her go, but what other option do I have? What can I possibly promise her?

She’s sunshine and magic, and I’m… me. A thief. A murderer. She’s a literal princess, and I’m far from a prince.

I need to let her go.

I need to be ready to do that. But I have to make sure she’s where she belongs first. I walk back toward the cave, putting space between us so she can’t hear me. I pull up a number, not expecting it to get me where I want it, but I call it all the same.