Chapter 2

Rowan's POV

"Who do you think you are? You don't get to demand an apology from me."

I rub my wrist where his grip left a mark, voice completely even. Beau just stands there, frozen.

Three years together, and I played the same role the entire time.

He grew up with nothing and never got over it, so I spent every day tiptoeing around that ego of his, careful never to make him feel small. This trip, the whole charter, every dollar of it came out of my pocket. And he stood there in front of Sadie and told her he planned the whole thing himself. A graduation surprise, just for her.

"Rowan, please, don't be mad at him, this is all my fault..." Sadie's eyes go red on cue, tears already spilling over. "If me being here is making things this bad, I might as well just jump overboard."

She drifts toward the railing as she says it, just enough to sell it.

"Go ahead." I cross my arms and watch her. "Water's sixty feet deep out here, strong currents. You go in, I promise there won't even be a splash. You want me to count you down?"

The crying stops cold.

She stares at me like I just spoke another language. Like she can't process what she's hearing. The Rowan she knows folds the second she cries. That's always been the deal.

"Rowan, what is wrong with you!" Beau completely loses it. He steps in front of Sadie, shielding her, and gets right in my face. "Do you have any idea how cruel that was? She's sensitive, and you're just going to stand there and say that to her? I've put up with your attitude for a long time, but you are going to apologize to her right now."

I let out a short laugh. "Sensitive? She was literally trying to grab a lethal octopus with her bare hands five minutes ago."

"Beau, are you actually listening to yourself? This yacht costs thirty thousand dollars a day, and I'm the one paying for it. Those board shorts you've got on? I bought those. That credit card you've been maxing out? I'm the one covering it. You've been spending my money to play the big shot in front of Sadie, and now you want me to apologize to her?"

His face goes red immediately.

He hates being called out on the money. Always has. It's the one thing he can't argue his way around.

"That is such BS! Is that seriously all this means to you? Just money?" His voice cracks on the last word.

"Yeah. And since that's all it is, I'm done spending it on you." I look straight at him. "We're done, Beau. You're fired."

"Done?" He blinks. Then a cold laugh. "Rowan, don't act like breaking up with me is some kind of power move. You think you're that special? Good luck finding someone who can put up with you."

"Think whatever you want."

I'm already done with this conversation. I turn and walk into the helm, pick up the radio and get the steward on the line. "Change of plans. We're not heading out to open water. Take us straight to the nearest port, Carr Reef. I need to drop two people off."

"Rowan, don't you dare." Beau storms in after me and goes for the wheel.

I grab the fire axe off the wall and bring it down hard on the console.

"Try that again. We're in international waters and I have full authority over this boat. You touch that wheel one more time, I'll tie you up and throw you in the hold myself."

That lands. He swallows, takes two steps back, jaw tight.

Right then Sadie pokes her head in from outside. "Beau, I don't want to go to some supply island! I read online there's this spot up ahead called Devil's Reef, totally undiscovered, the coral there is supposed to be incredible. Can we go? I already changed into my swimsuit!"

I glance over at her.

She's in a bikini that leaves nothing to the imagination, holding a cheap snorkel set. Not even close to proper dive gear.

"Devil's Reef." I keep my voice flat. "Uncharted. Hidden rocks everywhere, unpredictable currents, large predatory fish. Without a professional crew and the right equipment, you'd be walking straight into a death trap."

"You just don't want to take us there!" Sadie won't let it go. "Beau, you see how she is? She's jealous. She doesn't want me posting better pictures than her."

"Don't worry about it, Sadie, I've got you." Beau pulls himself together just enough to look me in the eye. "Rowan, I'm telling you one last time. Take us to Devil's Reef. Or when we get back to the States, you're going to regret this."

"We're already broken up. No point waiting to get home." I grab them both by the shoulders and push them back out. "Congratulations, you two. I mean that."

The door locks behind them.