We are relatively confident Georgia is aware of the rendezvous point and the time. Kris sent the information out as a coded post. To anyone else, it would seem random and be nonsense, but the keywords included should do the trick. I expect to see our villain arriving at any time. “Is she here yet?” Madison says as she climbs the stairs from below deck, dressed in a traditional Bottega Veneta black tuxedo. Watching, I am impressed by how well the formal clothing looks on her. She was born to wear a tux. I don’t know her beginnings, but this moment is her destiny. As is Claire. I can only pray nothing happens to ruin it.
“Not yet,” I reply as the woman crosses over to take the ship’s wheel and ensure the autopilot is working. Kris has followed her up and comes to stand beside me. She too is dressed in a tuxedo but unlike Madison appears uncomfortable as she pulls at the collar of the white dress shirt. She looks at her watch and frowns.
“She’s late.”
Madison joins us at the rail. “Well, fuck her. I’m not holding up my wedding for that woman. She gets three more minutes, and then we move forward,” she growls. I hold my tongue but wish she would be more patient. This entire interaction with Georgia is a giant chess match. We have our security teams on notice, although they have no idea who will be joining us. I am also armed and ready for anything. Still, I have no doubt Georgia arranged for extra protection too. Just because we can’t see anyone doesn’t mean they aren’t just out of sight around the far side of the island we are slowly approaching. “Are you sure she has the right time and place?” Madison asks Kris. The woman shrugs.
“As sure as I can be. Not like it was an RSVP card in the mail,” she says. A quick glance at Madison confirms she is not happy with this answer. She is a creature of action and concrete answers, not maybes or what-ifs. Kris’ nonchalance flies in the face of all of that. I see she is about to shoot back a retort and so hold up my hand to stop her.
“She will be here,” I say, not sure how I know. Something in my gut tells me Madison’s key adversary would never let an opportunity like this go by. I hope her promise not to cause trouble is real. Things should run smoothly if everyone plays by the rules. “But there is no reason to not get ready to start.”
Madison puffs out a frustrated breath but then nods. “You’re right. She would never miss this,” she says and moves away to recheck our course. After a moment, she nods my way. “Everything is ready. Go downstairs and knock on Claire’s door. Please.” I watch as a smile crosses Madison’s face. As stressful as this moment is, she is also about to marry Claire. Her true love. Her voice softens. “Tell her I cannot wait to see her.”
I nod. While music plays, the plan is to let Claire walk up the stairs to join Madison at the rear of the ship. Kris will be waiting and with a little ceremony, marry them. Lila will stand with me as a witness, as will Georgia, and if everyone keeps her word, Chloe. A small group, but enough. The greater party will come later. Still, there will be time to photograph Madison and Claire standing happily with Georgia to send out on specific social media channels. If Madison can do it with even the remotest smile, I will be impressed. There is nothing but mutual hate between them.
Ducking to clear the doorway into the hull of the ship, I am halfway down the three steps when I hear Kris shout out. Alarmed, I rush back topside. “What is it?” I ask slipping my hand under my military jacket to touch the butt of the handgun I wear in a shoulder holster.
Kris points, and I look to see a red speedboat racing toward us. My entire body tenses as I wait until they are close enough for us to identify the driver. This could be anything—including an attack. Then, I see the dark form of none other than Georgia DeLane, wearing her own style of a tuxedo, hers chicer and more feminine, standing at the wheel. Clearly, she has the throttle open to race at us, closing the distance in moments. My eyes scan the rest of the smaller craft, and only the sandy-blonde head of who I guess can only be Chloe is with her. Otherwise, it seems she is alone.
“This is it,” I say under my breath. I feel Kris tense beside me. When I asked her if she wanted to carry a gun earlier, she declined.
“Not my style,” she had said. Considering her quiet, conservative demeanor, I am not surprised and hope she knows when to duck if it comes to that. And the time for possibly ducking is coming quick. The other boat is only a hundred yards away. If I’m going to pull my weapon, now would be the best time and not after trouble breaks out. It comes down to how much I trust Georgia DeLane. With a frown, I realize there is no question. I don’t trust her at all and take my gun from where it is hidden under my coat. Lowering it to hold behind my thigh, I wait. Madison joins me, and with Kris, we three watch as Georgia makes her final approach, navigating the speedboat perfectly. When she is close enough to throw a line to tether her ship to the Water’s Edge, she is smiling. As is Chloe.
“Fancy meeting you out here like this,” Georgia chuckles as she idles the boat’s engine and ties it off. “So, what did I miss?”
28
Madison stands defiantly at the railing. “You’re late,” she snarls.
“I hit traffic,” Georgia replies shrugging one shoulder. A glance at Madison, and I see she is gritting her teeth. For a moment, I think she won't allow her adversary to board. With Chloe still in the speedboat, a confrontation at this point will only ruin our agreement. Slipping my gun away, I step forward holding out my hand for Georgia to take to help her up onto the Water’s Edge. Anything to diffuse the situation. She hesitates staring at my offering. There really is no other way to board, but there is also the opportunity for me to try and restrain her once I have ahold.
“You're going to have to trust me,” I tell her, and a slow smile crosses her face.
“Said the spider to the fly.” She grabs my hand, and with one quick pull, I have her onboard beside me. Surprised at how easily I hefted her, she looks me up and down. “Well, aren’t you handy. Workout much?”
I don’t bother to reply and instead slide past her to help Chloe. Once she is on deck as well, Madison clasps her in a hug slapping her on the back. “Good to see you safe, my friend.”
“Right back at you,” Chloe says with a grin as they break. “Although I wish you hadn’t made a deal with Georgia. Not at my expense.”
Madison glares over at Georgia, who continues to smile. It is clear she is enjoying every second of this. “What?” the woman asks. “I was a perfect hostess. And this way, you get to marry sweet Claire even sooner.” Then, she turns to Kris, who is standing back from the group. “And who are you?”
“A friend who I asked to officiate,” Madison jumps in while I watch Kris blush under the scrutiny. Georgia can no doubt sense easy prey when she sees it and moves closer. She runs a manicured fingernail along Kris' lapel.
“I see,” she murmurs. “So, you're a minister? Or at least the mail-order kind.” Kris steps back but meets the other woman's eyes. A hint of defiance is in her look, and I silently cheer her bravery.
“Web certification, actually. Just this week.”
Georgia laughs, clearly delighted, but before anyone says another word, Madison throws up her hands. “Are we done with the fucking banter?” she snarls. “I want to get this started. Jael, if you don’t mind. Let’s try this again.”