Just The Way You Like It - Under Construction

Chapter Eighty-Five

Chapter Eighty-Five

Max slowly walked away from Alice, so as not to draw attention to himself. He stayed in view, mostly for Alice's sake, but kept far enough away to not seem part of the situation. Once out of ear shot, Max pulled out his cell and dialed a number. “Hey you should probably get down here.” Max said, cradling his phone between his cheek and his shoulder. “I don't think she'll survive this one . . . Where do you think we are? . . . I'll try.” He hung up just in time to see The Chairman turn and face Alice. Max took a seat and decided to wait things out. It was strange that Alice would end up on this yacht again, and Max wondered if she even realized that this was the same yacht that Willub used to dump her body all those years ago. Hopefully, things would turn out differently with The Chairman. Doubtful, but maybe.

Sam shot out of his chair and bolted for the front door, only to have to stop and put his shoes on. Holly was sleeping upstairs; taking a nap after an especially long night with Sam. With no time to wake her up, and certainly no time to wait the two hours it would take for her to get ready, Sam left her asleep and jumped in his car alone. As much as he hated to, Sam had little choice, and he dug out his cell phone to make a few calls. By the time he pulled up to the marina, Sam's head was throbbing. He hated talking on his cell and driving. It always managed to give him a headache.

By the time Sam commissioned a sea-worthy vessel, Luke and Coby showed up, huffing as they ran to catch up. “Thanks for coming guys. Did you manage to get anyone else?”

“Yes.” Luke answered, taking a moment to catch his breath. “But they won't be able to get out there for a while. An hour at the least.”

“We don't have an hour.”

“It's what they said. I think we should wait.”

“Luke, I'm done waiting. I've been waiting, and it's gotten my nowhere. I'm going. If you two would like to join me, than be my guests. Otherwise, stay out of my way.”

“I'll go.” Coby said, climbing into the power boat. Luke sighed and climbed in as well.

“I'll go too, but just to make sure you don't get yourself killed. Or Alice for that matter.”

Within minutes, the three men were off, speeding through the waters at break-neck speed. Hopefully they wouldn't be too late.

Wallace turned to face Alice, thankful to be still wearing his mask. It made it so much easier to hide the pain. She looked small and terrified, and yet Wallace could still make out the fierceness behind her blue eyes. It was that fierceness that Willub hadn't been able to put up with. It was that fierceness that Wallace admired. It was that same fierceness that seemed to keep getting Alice in trouble.

“So Alice.” Wallace began, making sure to keep his voice level as he went. “Do you have anything to say?”

“What do you want me to say? That I'm sorry? Fine, I'm sorry. Now take me back to the warehouse please.”

“I'm afraid I can't do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I no longer want you.”

“What are you talking about? You love me.”

“Yes, which is why I can no longer afford to keep you.”

“That doesn't make sense, Wal. Come on, lets go back to the warehouse and talk this through.”

“No.”

“Fine then. Let's talk this through here.”

“I'm done talking, Alice. I've tried to be reasonable with you. I've tried to give you space. I've tried to give you time. But I'm done. I'm sick and tired, literally, and I don't have the energy anymore to deal with you. You'd rather dream of a dead man than be with me, and I can't accept that.”