Chapter 86

**Hadassah POV**

As the yacht gracefully glides across the cerulean waters of the Aegean Sea, the idyllic island of Spetses begins to reveal itself on the horizon. The sunlight dances on the gentle waves, casting a shimmering pathway towards the island. The air is filled with the salty tang of the sea and the faint scent of pine trees carried on a soft breeze. The verdant hills of Spetses, adorned with dense pine forests, provide a lush backdrop to the island’s charming, white-washed architecture.
A whiff of cologne heralds in Torin from my rear as he comes to embrace me from behind. His arms winding just below my waist, perching his chin lightly on my shoulder.
“It’s beautiful.”
His lips caress the shell of my ear. “I’ve seen better views.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Instead, I push out a flattered giggle.
“Is everything set for tonight?” I ask, my voice devoid of play. “We only have one chance?”
Torin turns his face inwards, making my head tilt to the side as he lavishes kisses on the column of my neck, snaking down to my collarbone. And it heats my blood, not from love or lust, but from unceasing and raw rage that I have to restrain and temper every waking moment.
“Everything is arranged. Don’t worry that pretty head.”
“An elite auction has an entrance fee that exceeds what most people will make in their lifetime.”
“Fortunately, I have ten times that to back my bid—even if it’s all for show.”
“Santos really underestimated you.” He’s not the only one.
“Everyone has,” he says, drawing away from me so he can rest his back against the railing, staring back at me shrewdly. “Their miscalculation has been to my advantage. It’s important to have foresight and—”
“Always have an ace up your sleeve,” I conclude with a strained smile.
“Or just be a smart ass,” he says with a jeering smile.
As we approach the port, the picturesque town of Dapia comes into full view, its waterfront lined with elegant neoclassical mansions, vibrant bougainvillaea, and bustling tavernas. The port is a hive of activity, with fishing boats, sailboats, and yachts of various sizes bobbing gently in the crystal-clear water.
The yacht’s engines hum softly as it maneuvers towards the designated docking space. The crew moves with practiced ease, preparing to secure the vessel. I can see the harbor master waiting on the dock, ready to assist with the mooring lines. The yacht glides smoothly alongside the quay, and with a slight jolt, it comes to a stop. The crew leaps into action, securing the yacht with ropes and ensuring it is safely moored.
As I step off the yacht onto the cobblestone quay, the warmth of the sun welcomes me. The sound of seagulls calling overhead mixes with the hum of scooters. The waterfront is lined with inviting cafes and restaurants, their outdoor terraces shaded by colorful awnings and umbrellas.
In minutes, several white AMG vehicles roll into the bay to collect Torin and I, as well as the security team.
As we make our way. I take in the sights, sounds, and scents of Spetses, a sense of tranquility and timelessness; a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture.
***
“Derek,” I greet.
He barely glances back at me. He already has a temporary set with three monitors. Poor thing had his hair cut because Torin could no longer stand the sight of that medieval bowl shape. Now he rocks a style with shaggy layers that adds a stylish dimension to his roundish face. I go over to prop myself on the verge of his table so I can face him as his eyes spring between the screens.
“Still having trouble breaking through Calum’s encryption?”
“I have another assignment,” he answers tersely.
“More important than finding Calum?”
“Torin is convinced that would be futile.” He sneaks a glance at me, then sighs. “Calum has proven himself quite capable of finding you.”
Alarm flits through my mind. “I feel there’s a heavy meaning there. Tell me what do you mean by that?”
He flips up his palms quickly before he resumes rapidly typing. “Not what I’m paid to do.”
I nod exaggeratedly as I slip off my one shoe before I use my foot to thrust at his office chair with enough force to roll him away from the desk. Rotating the chair so it swivels to face me fully. I lay my foot on his crotch, before I use the point to outline the shape of him sensually as his hands find the arms of the chair.
“Wh–what are you doing?”
“You meant something more behind that.”
My foot stomps flat on his crotch, and he groans as I exert sturdy pressure. And his grip tightens, his knuckles brightening as his mouth falls open and a shuddering escapes.
“Other than the fact that Calum proved he could track you when he showed up at Torin’s penthouse?”
“There’s something else you’re not telling me.”
In exploiting my woman wiles to master the art of deception and learning how to lie artfully. I have also learned to detect the lies in others. Some faster than others, but I always unearth the truth… in Torin’s case. My easiest mark yet, so I thought. I apply more crushing force, making me grip on the edge of the table to anchor myself as my foot twists and turns. Derek gasps breathlessly, throwing his head back, exposing his throat to me, his fingers curling. I release, then his head levels again, making wide-eyed eye-contact. I tap on it again, the way I’d floor it on the accelerator and he caves.
“You lied,” he says with a sharp inflection. “He knows you sent out some kind of distress signal. He knows you don’t trust him.”
“I never did,” I blurt, running scenarios and calculations in my head. “He’s only just now figuring it out. I just needed to keep him there. In the place of uncertainty.” I let out a small, mirthless laugh. “But now he wants to use me as bait. Again.”
“I couldn’t back trace the signal.” He stands up, bricked as he makes it an obvious gesture by grabbing his balls. “But I can cover his digital trail, even when Calum makes contact. Torin won’t know because he has another techie assigned to monitoring his movements. The moment he comes for you. Torin will know about it, but not if I shield him for you. For a price.”
I look back at him with a sultry smile as I spread my legs wide in silent invitation. He comes in between my legs as eagerly unbuckles his belt before he slots himself, and it's like being licked by a slobbering bulldog. With his face tucked away, he doesn’t see me slip his phone out from the back of his now low-hanging pants and I call the first number on the list. And that’s when I put on an academy award-winning performance, making pained groans and high-pitched sounds of an intense struggle, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
Promptly, the door opens and I ring out a cry with tears welling in my eyes.
“I said get off me!”
A common guard, one of Torin’s men, barges into the sight of me trying to break free of Derek’s greedy grip. He flags over another comrade, and he rushes at Derek to rip him away from me. My legs snap shut and I slip off the surface of the table, rubbing the old bruises on my wrist with an excruciating expression. Derek fumbles and flounders in the guard’s hold as he drags him away. His eyes are wild with panic and confusion as the guard looks away from me, issuing instructions to the other, still towing away a thrashing Derek.
“Wha—you bitch! You set me up! She set me up!”
With both guards looking away momentarily, I send Derek a quick tear-filled wink. This enrages him as his shirt even starts pulling up from the aggression of each thrash as he tries to relinquish his hold. The guard removes him from the room with his irate declarations still rebounding off the walls. The other guard, still in the room with me, shifts his needle-like focus on me. My face still contorted with my wrist coddled to chest.