Hailing a cab, Alex arrived at the Port Hammerton and headed straight toward pier 9, where a matte black SL-52 Moon Glider was waiting for him on the sparkling waters of the bay.Kevin Miller’s secretary handed Alex the key and escorted him to the boat.“This is the best motor boat you can find in all of Cobalt Cove. It’s one of a kind, and built for speed.”“How fast can it go?” Alex asked, grabbing the key.“In ideal testing conditions, anywhere between 130-135 miles an hour. And the 1350 HP engine will keep it steady even on long rides.”“Sounds good. Thank you, Gabe. I’ll take it from here.”As the middle-aged secretary saw Alex jumping into the speedboat, he blurted out nervously, “I couldn’t find any life jackets. And this boat has only been tested once by Mr. Miller’s cousin. That was in a lake…not the open sea.”Alex chuckled at his words and turned the key.“I don’t need a life jacket. But thanks for the heads-up.”“It also doesn’t have a kill switch!” Gabe shouted after the

Josiah Warrington opened his eyes to a moonlit sky, dotted with stars. As he slowly came to his senses, he realized he was lying on a deck chair on the beach.“What the…How did I…”Still dizzy from his recent ordeal, his head throbbed as he tried to pull himself up and sit up straight.“Don’t stress yourself. It was a rough boat ride. You’ve been through hell.” Alex’s voice buzzed in his ears as Alex came from behind and handed him a murky white drink in a tall glass. “Have a sip. It will make you feel better.”Josiah grabbed the glass and slowly sat up straight.Up ahead in the distance, he saw a tiny straw-roofed shack and more log chairs scattered around.The sea had turned silent now, and the waves were gently rolling onto the beach.“What happened out there?” Josiah asked, staring at Alex in total confusion. “I…remember getting smacked by that bastard mayor and passing out. We were on a tugboat.”“And now you’re safe on dry land again,” Alex replied and took a sip from his own gl

Meeting one of the Vanderbilts on a sudden winter morning was one of the last things Alex was expecting. He could sense that it wasn’t a mere coincidence.Just by looking at Connor, he could tell that he came from a distinguished family, and it was more than money that added to his noble demeanor.Even though Alex had heard quite a bit about the rivalry between the Vanderbilts and the Warringtons, he saw no reason to be rude without giving Connor a chance to explain himself.“The pleasure is all mine,” Alex replied, accepting the recognition with a warm handshake and a polite smile. But his eyes remained sharp and inquisitive. “I have been hearing plenty of talk about your family. And here you are. It really is a small world,” he added.“Not everything one hears is true. Most of it is fluff,” Connor retorted with a cheeky smirk. “Besides, I have heard strange things about you as well. They say you are a shark that swallows smaller fish alive.”“Maybe I am. You should find out for your

Bound by the oath he had taken five years ago when he became a doctor, Alex couldn’t turn a deaf ear to a patient who was truly in need.In the end, his principles got the best of him, and he agreed to go with the Vanderbilts despite knowing about the bloody rivalry between them and the Warringtons.Coming out of the woods, Rory hopped into the driver’s seat of an open-top Wrangler while Connor joined Alex in the backseat.“What else did dad say? Is mom conscious?” Connor asked impatiently.“You’ll find out soon enough.” Rory twisted the car key and started the engine. “Just don’t call them right now. Dad’s already too worked up.”The car roared down the road, kicking up a dust storm behind it as its tires screeched on the hard asphalt.Rory took a left at the first intersection and then turned the steering wheel sharply, driving the vehicle off the road.They cut across an empty cornfield and drove down a dusty trail, passing abandoned ranches and old bike repair shops.“Why the hell

Claire had used her feminine charms to manipulate Rory into capturing Alex for her. But now that Alex was sitting tied up in a bundle right in front, she found herself in a trap.A sinking feeling washed over her being as she felt something dragging her into a pit of quicksand.She realized that Alex wasn’t the hostage here. Not anymore.“What do you want from me?”The words came out softer than she had expected. Her voice was already failing, and she no longer had the nerve to carry out the deed.“I want to talk to you, alone.”Claire raised her gloved hand and motioned to the ruffians, asking them to leave.“But Rory said we shouldn’t leave you alone. This man is danger—”“I said get out!” Claire yelled from, the voice rising from her belly as she lost her temper.The thugs had no choice but to step out of the barn and leave the two of them alone.“Grab a chair. This is going to be a long discussion,” Alex said, motioning to her.Claire begrudgingly dragged a wooden stool to the mid