I looked up at him at Lewis
"That time I was stranded at sea and met you… was that really an accident?"
A low chuckle left his throat.
"In the same city," he said, "two people can live their whole lives without crossing paths. Do you really believe it was coincidence that I found you in the middle of the ocean?"
My breath caught.
"So… it wasn't?"
"I heard about the earthquake where Julian was," he said. "I knew you would run to him. That area was dangerous. Isolated. I arranged protection for you."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"But you never arrived. Camilla did. That's when I knew something was wrong."
I stared at him.
"I started investigating," he continued. "That's when I learned you had hidden yourself on a cargo ship. Trying to cross the ocean alone."
His voice lowered.
"The ship ran into trouble. I went myself."
My heart stopped.
"I remember floating on wood," I whispered. "I thought I was hallucinating… someone pulling me up."
"That was me."
