The speedboat cut through the waves, slicing the dark ocean like a blade. Ezra kept Scarlett tucked protectively against him, but his simmering rage turned toward the other two passengers.
Layla sat opposite him, her posture tense, her guilt stamped all over her face. Elaine perched beside her, unusually silent… watching Ezra carefully.
Ezra's jaw ticked. He tightened his arms around Scarlett before fixing Layla with a cold, piercing glare.
"What happened to her?" His voice was low, dangerously steady. "Where were you when this happened?"
Layla swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his fury.
"I... I got distracted," she admitted hoarsely. "Someone… Someone staged an emergency to pull me away. I didn't know it was a setup until it was too late…"
Ezra's expression darkened even further.
"One job, Layla. You had one goddamn job… to protect her," he growled. "You're not here for decoration. You're not here for appearances. If you can't even do that…"
