The problem was, I didn't have one. In truth, some cashwouldbe nice.
But I wasn't about to take it from Maisie – not when I saw firsthand how hard she was working just to stay afloat.
Plus, I was getting paid in other ways – and I didn't mean in sandwiches. I liked hanging out at the shop. I liked fixing things with my hands. I liked the satisfaction of doing something useful for a nice person who needed it.
Recent history aside, I hadn't been built for a life of leisure. If I weren't hanging out here, I'd have to find somewhere else, because I sure as hell wouldn't be spending those empty hours in a shitty boathouse that reeked of fish and fuck-knows-what-else.
And then, there was the hardest truth of all.I liked being around Maisie.
The realization hit like a thunderbolt.
Shit.
I wasn't ready to deal withthateither, so I let it settle while I considered my response.
Finally, I said, "My rent's covered, and you're giving me food. The way I see it, that's enough." I shrugged. "I'm not here to make money."
"Okay, so whyareyou here?"
"You mean at the shop?"
"Or on the island," she said. "Because the whole thing seems a little fishy."
I considered the boathouse and its assortment of smells. Under my breath, I muttered, "Trust me, you don't know the half of it."
She shook her head. "Sorry, what?"
"Bad joke, don't worry about it." But from the look on her face, shewasworried – and getting more worried the longer this went on.I didn't like it.
I let out a resigned breath. "Okay…if you want the story, I'll need a promise first."
"What kind of promise?'
"If I tell you, it's got to stay between us." I gave her a serious look. "Deal?"
"Honestly? I'm not sure." She bit her lip. "I mean…is it illegal?"
I paused to think. "Probably not."
She looked less than reassured. "Probablynot?"
"Eh, call it a gray area." I met her gaze. "Now do you wanna know or not?"
"Yes,obviously. But I'm gonna be honest, if you're in trouble with the law – "
"Which I'm not."
"Or if someone was hurt…"
At this, I couldn't help but laugh. "If there was a victim, you're looking at him."
She gave me a funny look. "So you're the victim?"
"Yeah. Of my own stupidity. I should've known Ryder held all the cards."
"What cards?"
"Do I have your word or not?"
