Page 131 of Mark

I race off, knowing I’ve already wasted enough time when I see the back of Liam’s head heading into the dining hall. It doesn’t take me long to get back to my floor. With my head down, scrolling through my phone, I reach into my back pocket for my key card, when I bump into a body.

“Sugar!” I hear hissed.

I glance down, seeing Esther on the floor, wearing shorts and a bikini top. But it’s the blood on the inside of her thigh that draws my attention. My eyes widen at the sight, feeling the blood drain from my face. “Did I do that?” I ask, pulling the T-shirt that is tucked into the back of my shorts out to press it down on the wound.

“The glass must have smashed,” she states through gritted teeth, as she lowers the rest of the flute to the floor.

As much as I don’t want to help the woman who has made Freya’s life hell, I am the reason Esther is hurt and my mother taught me better than to ignore a woman who needs help.

“Let me get you to the first aid quarters,” I offer.

She waves me off as she leans her hand against the door. “It just needs a good clean. I’ll be fine.”

The blood trickles down her leg as I help her to her feet. “I think it might need looking at.”

“Is Freya in her room? They all have a first aid kit inside.”

“She’s, um, she’s upstairs on deck still.”

Her gaze meets mine and she forces a smile. “I’ll go back to my room and clean it. I’m not good with doctors.”

I glance at my door, biting my lip. I don’t want this woman in my space, but the guilt of being the reason she got hurt gnaws at me. “Why don’t you come inside my cabin and I’ll clean it up?”

She stops limping, her breath hitching. “I don’t think I can walk very far.”

“It’s right there,” I state, pointing to the door opposite Freya’s.

She glances at it in surprise. “I guess I can’t refuse since I don’t want to trickle blood through the halls.”

I open the door, then hold out my arm for her to hold. I flick on the lights as I pass them before helping her towards one of the beds. I grimace at the scent of sweaty feet in the room, and the clothes littering the floor and bed.

“Do you want a T-shirt?” I ask when I notice the bikini she has on is far too small. Her tits are practically spilling out. I actually find it weird she’s wearing one since I remember Hayden making a comment about her always wearing a full swimming costume.

She places her hand over mine. “Thank you for the offer but I’ll be okay.”

I nod and move over to the cabinet that has a first aid box inside. I pull it out, rummaging through the contents.

Moving back to the bed with a handful of stuff, I place it down next to her. “Everything should be there. You’ll be better using the antiseptic wipes to clean around the wound. I’m afraid we don’t have any clean face cloths.”

She lowers her lashes, biting her lower lip. “Can you do it for me? I’m really not good with blood and cuts. I don’t want to pass out on you too. You seem like someone who doesn’t get queasy over the sight of blood.” She forces out a laugh. “I remember passing out once when my friend sliced her thumb cutting a cucumber.”

I gaze at the cut. It’s pretty close her to shorts line, and not a place I’m comfortable going when I have a woman now. Freya doesn’t know it yet, but she is mine. Last night, we decided not to end things when the cruise reaches the last port. Yet neither of us talked about what that meant for us. I didn’t bring up the fact she has been mine since the minute she got on the mechanical bull. I never realised it then either. It didn’t truly hit me until the night she went head to head with me during trivia night.

Still, I have to help Esther. Not only because I caused it, but because she is Freya’s sister, and now that she is mine, I don’t want to be the reason they have another falling out.

I get to my knees, planning to make this quick so I can get her out of here. There is a woman waiting for me, and a chicken leg calling my name in the dining room.

And not even this cut is going to keep me from them.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Freya

I thought I would feel better after talking to my mum and dad, but if anything, I feel worse. I really wanted to question my mum after hearing she said I didn’t take anything seriously, and about the rest of what I heard. But things are finally back to normal between us, and it feels like I’ve got my parents back. They have even made plans to finally come to the flat now it is done, and meet Mellow. They’ve also asked about my job and what it is I actually do, and I could see it surprised my mum. I had also made a comment about how comfy the beds are here and that I’ll miss it when I get back home, and already, she is looking at buying a new bed for me. They had been so angry about me moving out that they didn’t support me, hoping it would make me go back home. If anything, it made me more determined to push through the hurdles we faced. Moving out, finishing my degree and then getting a teaching job should have proved I am capable. But they let their pride lead them, and then missed out on congratulating me and Summer on our move.

I glance around the hall for Mark once more, still not finding him. I do, however, notice Danny heading towards me. I quickly scan my surroundings for an exit but my shoulders deflate when I don’t find one.

“Hey, have you seen your sister?” he greets, running his fingers through his wet hair.