John's hands clenched. "Once again our father deserved to beinjail."
Peter met his stare and didn't blink as he said, "Maybe you're right. This is adisaster."
Vicki stepped in between both of them. "Why? This is no different. Our father stolemybaby."
John's hand rested on their sister's shoulder. "Mitch Morgan wanted everything his way. If he didn't get it, then whoever was in his waysuffered."
Their mother walked in and stood beside Belle. Belle reached out andcomfortedher.
Peter blinked. "Here she is. You two talk to her. I need air." He strode towardthedoor.
John called out, "Where are yougoing?"
"Outside." Peter kept his sight on the door. His heartbeat was so rapid he couldn't breathe in here. "I pay the men who work for Morgan Enterprises. I should be safeenough."
Vicki shouted, "Could you imagine never seeing anyone you ever loved again? Dad was horrible to ourmother."
He rolled his eyes at his mother as she hugged John and Vicki "You two don't remember anything.I do, in livingcolor."
Belle's footsteps echoed behind him on the porch. He turned, and she approached him. "Peter, where are yougoing?"
"I can'tbehere."
He stopped and stared at his fingernails as the idea of sailing off on his yacht played inhishead.
"I'm comingwithyou."
At first he didn't say anything, but soft footsteps followed him. He waited untilshe placed her hands on his shoulder. Then he turnedtowardher.
The late afternoon sun started to set. He snorted as he stared at the water. Belle Jordan deserved someone better. He turned toward her, and the setting sun almost madeherglow.
He swallowed. "Belle..."
She grabbed his hands and interrupted. She had the face of an angel. "You don't have to say anything.I'mhere."
Nothing made sense, and he stared at the door behind her. He couldn't go inside. Instead he led her toward his closestescape.
"Let'sgo."
At the dock, which wasn't that many steps from where they had been, she hedged, "Are we heading back on youryacht?"
He dropped her hands. "If you want togoback—"
"No, I want to gowithyou."
She smiled at him,and a sense of calmness filled his heart. He'd like her with him right now. He helped her step onto hisyacht.
"Let'sgo."
"I had no idea on this trip I'd be on a ship this much. I'd have brought abathingsuit."
He shrugged and his shoulders grew less tense as he led her to the control room. "There might be something here for you. Captain, get us outofhere."
Thecaptain nodded his head at them. "Aye,sir."
Belle tried to say hello to the captain, but Peter held her hand and led her out. She followed without question, and they headed into the dining area that held a view of his house as the captain began tosailaway.
It had been his intention to show Belle the ten thousand square foot corner lot home with the balcony on the second floorthat overlooked the bay and his swimming pools. He had imagined how he'd beg her to forgive him as she stood on one of those balconies, like Juliet in the stories. Now he stared at the mansion as theysailedaway.
