World's Richest Man: I Leaped Across Time

I slid the letter into my pocket and handed Charlotte a coffee. "Looks like we're in the clear."

She nodded, ponytail swaying, and took a sip. "Good. Let's get ready. We leave this morning."

Two suitcases gaped open on the floor, and Charlotte moved between them, folding bikinis with barely-there fabric, shorts, and a sundress in a sharp teal that made her eyes blaze.

I packed T-shirts, sandals, a light jacket, chargers, sunscreen, sunglasses.

"Beach towels?" she asked.

"Got them," I said, stuffing two into the side pocket.

She held up a wide sun hat, cream with a black ribbon. "Bringing it."

"Smart," I said.

My phone buzzed—Sam. I put him on speaker.

"We're almost ready," he said. "Mia's on crutches and feeling good."

"Perfect. We're out in an hour."

We did the usual check: keys, wallets, IDs. Charlotte zipped her suitcase and threw on a soft gray cardigan that hugged her shoulders. I grabbed the duffel with snacks and water, eyes trailing the way her dress clung to her hips.

Bags loaded. Clear sky. I set the GPS for Fort Lauderdale, and she slid into the passenger seat, legs bare and crossed, toes tapping.

"Music?" Charlotte asked.

"Your pick," I said.

She picked something sultry, laid-back—slow bass, soft vocals. Highway opened ahead of us.

We stopped for gas and iced coffee. She came back with gum and a small aloe bottle, dropped it in the console like it was a secret.

"Just in case," she said with a wink.

Back on the road. Palms showed up along the highway. The air warmed. We rolled the windows down. A hint of salt came in.

Fort Lauderdale signs appeared. Boats dotted the canals. Charlotte leaned forward, smiling.

"Almost there," she said.

The water at the Fort Lauderdale marina looked like brushed glass, little waves rolling and catching the sun. The yacht waited at the end of the pier—white, clean, and proud.

At the marina, the water looked like brushed glass. A pristine yacht waited at the dock, already alive with crew. The cook waved from the galley, apron dusted in flour or magic—or both.

Charlotte squeezed my hand. She wore a light summer dress that hugged the dip of her waist and flared just above her knees. White sneakers, loose ponytail, golden skin, and her eyes were happy.

"Everyone should be here any minute," she said, glancing up the pier.

A black SUV pulled in first. Sam stepped out with slow care, white cane tapping the ground. He wore a dark polo and gray pants, sunglasses on, his face relaxed.

One of the bodyguards opened the back door and lowered Mia's wheelchair.

She smiled right away when she saw us and raised a hand in a small wave. She had a soft scarf around her neck and a denim jacket over a simple dress.

The second bodyguard carried a small bag and stayed near but not too close.

"Jack," Sam said, turning his head toward my voice with that sharp accuracy he always had.

"Glad you made it." I stepped forward to give him a quick hug.

Mia's eyes shone. "Hi," she said, voice warm.

Charlotte leaned in to hug her carefully, her fingers brushing the edge of Mia's scarf.

We helped roll Mia down the pier. When we reached the gangway, Mia put her hands on the armrests and paused. "Wait," she said softly. She stood up, slow and steady, holding the rail with both hands. She took two steps on her own. Not fast, not perfect, but solid.

Sam smiled, the kind of smile that made lines at the corners of his mouth. "Don't overexert yourself," he said gently.

Mia nodded and sat again, a little breathless but proud. "I won't."

The bodyguards took their spots a few steps back.

Sam tilted his head toward me. "They insisted," he said.

A second car arrived. Britney climbed out, blonde hair down, a small tote on her shoulder. She wore a blue sundress and looked a little nervous. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear when she spotted us.

"Britney!" I waved her over from the pier.

She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and walked up, a shy smile softening her lips. The blue sundress she wore moved easy in the breeze, showing off long legs and a neat waist.

"Hey," she said. "I'm Britney. I work with Jack. And I'm friends with his sister, Sydney." She said it lightly, like she didn't want to make a big deal of herself.

Charlotte slipped in with a warm grin. "Perfect timing. Come on, let's get you on board." She took Britney's hand and helped her onto the deck.

A third car rolled in. Jacob and Lucy hopped out together, laughing about something I couldn't hear. Jacob wore boat shoes he clearly bought just for today.

Lucy wore a white sun hat and big sunglasses, her black hair over one shoulder, the kind of simple that looked expensive. "This place is gorgeous!"

Then Valentina.

God, Valentina.

She walked like sex in motion—red fitted top that hugged every curve, high-waisted shorts that framed long, tanned legs. Her smile was blinding. She wrapped Charlotte in a tight hug, whispering something that made Charlotte laugh and swat at her.

"Be nice," Charlotte said, but she was smiling too.

"I'm always nice," Valentina purred, eyes roaming the group. "I'm Valentina." She gave everyone a quick, friendly nod, then her gaze landed on Mia. "Have we met?"

"No," Mia said. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were clear. "I'm Mia."

Valentina's tone shifted, warm and low. "Good to meet you. You okay?"

Mia glanced at Sam, then back. "Better. It's been a long road."

Valentina nodded, her expression open. "If you want to tell it later, I'd like to hear. If not, I'll just bring you a drink."

Mia smiled. "Maybe later."

We all stepped aboard. The captain—Captain Ross—introduced himself with a firm handshake, steady eyes, calm voice. Nate, the deckhand, gave the safety talk quick and smooth. Alma, the cook, waved from the galley, already plating something that smelled like citrus and butter.

We eased out of the marina. Sun on chrome, wind on skin, salt in the air. The water opened in front of us.

Sam leaned against the railing, one hand resting on the smooth wood as he tilted his head into the breeze. I helped him over to a nearby bench, and he sat down with a contented sigh. Mia rolled her chair up close and reached out to squeeze his hand.

The two bodyguards kept their distance near the stern.

Britney settled beside Charlotte. Jacob and Lucy went to the bow and pointed at other boats.

Valentina moved to the rail, brushed her hair off her face, and smiled out at the water.

Nate brought a tray—sparkling water with lemon, iced tea sweating in tall glasses, and a chilled bottle of champagne. The cork popped and bounced into the yacht's board.

"To new waters," Charlotte said, raising her glass, the sun catching the curve of her neck.

"To new waters," everyone echoed.

The yacht sliced through clean blue.

Alma set out brunch: bowls of bright fruit, flaky croissants, shrimp with avocado and lime that practically moaned on your tongue.

Valentina stole a shrimp straight off Britney's plate, licking her fingers slowly.

"This is insane," Lucy said, biting into a warm croissant, a flake sticking to her lip until Jacob brushed it away.

"Worth the drive," Jacob said, already reaching for a skewer.

"I'm trying not to look like it's my first yacht," Britney said.

"Don't try," Valentina said, stealing a shrimp with quick fingers. "Just eat."

Mia tasted slow, savoring. "I missed this," she said. "Sun. Wind. Noise that isn't hospital noise."

Sam found her hand and threaded his fingers with hers.

"It is," I said. "Couldn't have chosen a better day."

Captain Ross took us to a quiet sandbar. The water turned crystal-clear, the kind that made you want to jump in with clothes on. We dropped anchor. Fish flashed beneath the surface.

"Swim time," Nate called.

"Obviously," Valentina said. She slid her top off, revealing a red bikini with gold details that glittered like sin. She winked at Charlotte. "Race you." Then she dove in in a perfect arc, clean and bright, her legs cutting the surface like a blade.

Charlotte grinned and pulled down the strap of her black one-piece, letting it snap back. It dipped scandalously low in the back, hugged her like it was painted on. She glanced at me, lips parted.

"You coming?"

"Always," I said.

She bit her lip, laughing, and stepped down the ladder. Her hips swayed with every motion. When she slipped into the water, it clung to her like silk.

She flicked her hair back and winked.