Tough Shit (Rejects Paradise 1)

Five minutes later, Colton pulls into the marina, and my mouth drops.

Holy mother of sweet baby Jesus. Someone needs to fuck me in the ass and slap a little life back into me. This shit couldn’t be real.

I stare out at the water where a long jetty or dock or whatever the fuck it’s called stretches out into the water with massive boats on either side. I’ve never seen anything like it, not even in the movies. These boats are bigger than my old house. Hell, they’re probably bigger than my old school.

This is the ultimate ‘welcome to the billionaire’s club.’

As I look along the water, I find a few jetty-dock things and see that each of them have at least twenty of these massive boats anchored at them. The center dock is the longest and is the one with the biggest boat in the ocean. Even without the obnoxious ‘Carrington’ written across the back, it’s clear that’s where we’re heading. I doubt Charles Carrington is the type of guy to allow some other fucker to outshine one of his prized possessions. When it comes to him, he has to have the biggest house, the biggest boat, the biggest bank account. He’s just that kind of guy.

Colton brings his Veneno to a stop right in front of the dock like some kind of asshole and I’m not surprised when a valet rushes in, desperate to adhere to his every wish and desire.

Colton leaves the car running and gets out so I grab my bag and follow suit, hurrying along as he rushes down the marina. I can’t help but glance back as the valet takes off with the Veneno. A rush of jealousy fires through me. I’d give my right nut to drive that car, you know if I had a right nut. Maybe my right ovary then.

Colton reaches the end of the line and looks up at the massive boat with pride. I don’t miss the way his eyes scan over the Carrington name on the back and wonder if maybe this thing is new. Music plays inside and my brows furrow. I hadn’t seen any other cars here but then, why would I? The valet would have dealt with that. Either way, Colton and I are not alone. It gives me peace of mind that he isn’t bringing me out here to kill and dump my body in the middle of the ocean.

He starts making his way up the stairs that lead into the boat and I follow, slightly panicked as I’ve never been on a boat before. I don’t know if I can trust it, but then, if I’m going to try out this whole boating thing, it’s probably best to try it in one like this rather than some piece of shit tin boat with rust and bullet holes like the one that’s been stored in Kairo’s backyard.

I get to the top and hardly have a chance to look around before Colton turns his dark stare on me. “The staff kitchen is downstairs. I’m sure you can make yourself comfortable down there.”

I raise a brow. “Excuse me?” I demand with an amused scoff.

“I could hardly get staff on such short notice so unlucky for us, we’re stuck with you for the day.”

A piercing screech comes from across the boat. “Colton,” some skank calls out. “You’re here.”

Colton looks back over his shoulder and I peer around him to see a group of at least ten girls in bikinis surrounded by guys that I recognize from school. “Give me a minute, babe,” he says before glancing up and nodding to some guy in a captain’s outfit.

Colton looks back at me. “First round of drinks served in ten minutes, then again every half hour but remain on the deck in case someone needs an extra refill. Once we’re anchored, food will be brought out and hell, maybe after that, I might even let you enjoy yourself.”

“Oh, fuck no.”

I spin around and go to walk my ass back down the stairs only the boat starts pulling out. “Too fucking late, Jade,” Colton says in my ear. “Get your ass down to the kitchen and make it quick. The clock is ticking.”

I spin around and step into him, forcing him back a step. “Fuck you, Carrington. This is how it’s going to go. I’m going to stay down one end of the boat while you fuck around on the other. You’re going to stay out of my way and you’re going to hope to whatever God you believe in that I decide to stay out of yours. I’m not your little maid bitch you can boss around. I’m not fucking employed by you nor will I ever be.” I give him a sugary sweet smile. “Now, thanks for the invitation to your lame boat party, I’m sure I’m going to have a great time. Oh, and for the record, I’ll take a vodka sunrise.”