Gia and the Lone Raven (Gia Santella Crime Thriller - Novella Book 4) by Kristi Belcamino

Author:Kristi Belcamino [Belcamino, Kristi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery thriller suspense
Publisher: Kristi Belcamino
Published: 2018-01-18T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

I finished my cigarette, lit another one, and waited. I looked out at the dark sea. There was no moon tonight. The sea beyond was dark and sinister, sending a chill down my spine. Far in the distance a small green light from a boat flickered across the vast blackness.

The wind brought wisps of words from the other end of the yacht. I listened for Cassie’s high-pitched voice, but only heard low rumblings.

The creak of the teak wood under my feet made me tense up. Then Marc was at my side.

He was alone.

“Where’s Cassie?” My voice was flat.

“What?” To his credit, he sounded genuinely surprised.

I turned toward him and watched his eyes in the flickering light from the Tiki torch. Not speaking. I wouldn’t give him an inch. I raised one eyebrow and waited while he squirmed.

A kaleidoscope of emotions scattered across his face.

“You’re jealous.”

“No.” I said, wondering if I was lying.

“I haven’t seen her since the restaurant in Mulegé.”

Dread washed over me. This was bad. But I couldn’t let it show.

“Neither have we.” I watched him carefully. He wouldn’t meet my eyes. He chewed on the inside of his mouth. I was certain he wasn’t aware he was doing it. It was a tell. Like in poker. He was definitely nervous.

He laughed. A hollow sound. “Weird.”

“I know.”

Austin appeared, holding two glasses.

“I had to dig around in the hold, but I found it. As promised. The finest.” He handed Marc a glass and ignored me.

“You’re the man.” Marc slapped him on the back. He cast another glance at me. I chewed on my inner cheek, watching him.

I’m on to you.

As if sensing the tension between us, Austin slung his arm around my shoulder, possessively. My instinct was to rip his arm off, but I relaxed. Let Marc think we were a thing.

“Gia and I are going swimming at Todos Santos tomorrow, want to come?”

News to me.

“It’s some party celebrating someone’s new hedge fund or something,” Austin said. “I promised Nick I’d drop off my copy of The Force for him before we left for Costa Rica. We can take off the day after.”

“Damn good book.” Marc nodded at me. “I’m in. I got no schedule.”

I yawned exaggeratedly. “I’m exhausted. I’ll let you two catch up and see you in the morning.”

Austin crawled into bed late, so stoned or drunk that he fell asleep halfway through his half-hearted attempts to seduce me.

I stumbled out of bed at eleven. Austin’s spot beside me was empty. The smell of bacon lured me topside.

Marc and Austin sat at a table sipping coffee and eating bacon, eggs, and toast. They both look wrecked. I pulled my sunglasses down and stepped into the sun, tugging my sweater tighter over my silky nightgown.

“Morning.” Austin was chipper. Annoying.

I nodded and gulped my coffee. I piled bacon and eggs onto my plate from a platter in the center of the table and smothered it with hot sauce.

By my second cup of coffee and my second plate of food, I felt halfway normal.

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