Yes, Sir

5.8

He falls back into the booth with his arm outstretched over the top of the cushion.

"Let me tell you something, Laine, a word of advice from your's truly," He nods in my direction as if asking if he could proceed but I do not reply, causing him to speak again, "I've known Austin since I was a kid. I grew up with the man. I watched him break every woman he's ever been with because he can't grow some balls and trust. But you, Miss. Lainey Bennett, I have heard a shit tone of stuff about you. Not just from the press, or the word around town, Austin talks about you. I bet you never knew that."

I shake my head in embarrassment and lower my view from him, but from the way he continues I know he wasn't offended by my sudden change of demeanor.

"I'm not here because I had nothing better to do, that's only 80% of it, I'm here because Austin is worried. So, I want to get to know the woman who can tame Austin and because I'm fucking hungry."

With nothing better to do myself, and out of curiosity, I simply nod my head and make the executive decision to not spend my day in fear of being recognized, or fear of going back to Austin. I was going to enjoy the time I had left here before I run out.

•———•

It turned out that Zaine was absolutely hilarious. He'd given me the "spiritual tour" of the city and we'd managed to make our way back towards the private beach leading up to Austin's house.

I would be lying if I said I hadn't refreshed my phone a couple times to see if he texted me worriedly but I'd noticed Zaine glancing to his phone about the same time as I was, and I could only hope Austin had decided not to test his boundaries with me and ask Zaine for information.

I bite the corner of my lip as I eye the house coming into view.

"How much would I have to pay you to tell Austin I died from a shark attack?" I ask, turning to Zaine who was typing vigorously on his phone.

I watch his eyebrow twitch upwards before he shovels his phone into his pocket.

"How common do you land folk think shark attacks happen?" He lets out a vibrant laugh and I can't help but shrug before falling into the sand.

"How about any mafia members that can kidnap me?" My eyes follow his body as he falls beside me with a grunt from movement. Me too.

Zaine falls to his elbows and I can't help but stretch from the amount of excessive exercising I have endured today.

"I don't have enough money or a will to go to federal prison for something so stupid as hiring someone off the dark web to come kidnap you or some shit, Laine," he lets out a loud laugh, causing me to smile brightly, "And you'll have to go back eventually. Austin will get too antsy and then call the police and they will come for me first. That's not what I plan on getting arrested for."

My cheeks explained with air before I dramatically push the air from my mouth. "He would probably pay you off so he won't have to worry about losing another assistant."

This peaks Zaine's interest as he sits up with a quickness to his action.

"Do you really think Austin thinks that low of you?"

I assumed this was a rhetorical question so I don't respond, only causing a scoff from the man beside me.

"I'm not going to tell you how he feels about you, Laine. I honestly don't know. Well, I do, but my opinion does not count. Before you two were at this stage, you were friends. His best friend actually. He values you a shit tone more than you believe. Trust me when I say, he does not want to lose you and if you let him, then that man will lose not just an assistant, but the only person he truly trusts. So don't convince yourself otherwise because I won't allow it."