I had a running start and yet it wasn’t enough to make the jump. The rage screeching in my ears drowned everything else, including Rosa’s urgent chatter. Lily had left me. She had done the one thing I told her not to do, without any consideration, explanations or mercy. “Mr. Josh!” Rosa waved her hands in front of my face. “Are you listening to me?” “What?” “You’ve got to go after her,” Rosa said. “You’ve got to explain.” “Explain what?” I said over the Vagabond’s engines. “If she wants to leave, let her leave. I can’t hold her against her will. Good riddance.” “No, no, don’t say that,” Rosa said. “I’m telling you, Mr. Josh. You’ve got to explain. Any girl would be upset.” “What are you talking about?” “Miss Lily, she went into your room.” “Son of a bitch.”
