Chapter 101

Darkness swallowed the entire room.

Evelyn Langley's eyes flew open, her pajamas soaked with cold sweat.

Her nails dug into her palms.

Just a dream...

She gasped for air like a beached fish.

The wind chime tinkled by the entryway.

Pushing open the French windows, briny sea air rushed to greet her.

Clouds devoured the moonlight, leaving only a few lonely lamps swaying along the shore.

The nightmare's aftertaste lingered.

Wrapping her shawl tighter, she stepped barefoot onto the cool sand.

Grains spilled between her toes.

The day's "accident" flashed through her mind.

The lifeguard's shifty gaze.

The staff's rehearsed responses.

Every detail fit together too perfectly.

A deep male voice carried from the distance.

Ethan Winston stood with his back to her near the reef.

"...preserve all surveillance footage intact."

"...no out-of-court settlements."

He turned after hanging up and met a pair of lucid eyes.

"Insomnia?" He pocketed his phone.

"Needed air." She kicked a seashell.

Under the coconut palm's shadow, silence stretched between them.

"Were you handling my case?"

Ethan nodded. "Cross-border litigation requires special preparations."

His fingers absently traced his phone's edge.

Harsh fluorescent light from a convenience store pierced the night.

"Drink?" She pointed to the illuminated beach shack.

Surprise flickered in Ethan's eyes.

"The honor is mine." He inclined his head.

The soda can opened with a crisp hiss.

Cradling coconut water, she blurted, "This wasn't the first incident."

Ethan arched an eyebrow, waiting.

"They were too practiced. Terrifyingly so."

Waves crashed against the rocks.

He offered an embossed business card. "My legal team stands ready."

Moonlight finally broke through the clouds.

Their shadows stretched long across the sand.