Below the Barrel (Saltwater Springs #2)

26. Maliah | Peniche, Portugal

TWENTY-SIX

MALIAH | PENICHE, PORTUGAL

Koa and I stand just outside my dad’s massive beachside mansion, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks below filling the silence between us. The air smells like salt and distant rain, and I can’t help but feel this strange mix of nostalgia and dread. The big wooden door looms in front of us, like it’s judging me for even being here. I glance at Koa, who’s been quiet ever since we dropped Griffin and Eliana off and made our way here. He’s tense, his jaw tight, and I know this is the last place he wants to be. But I asked, and he’s here anyway.

I take a deep breath and knock.

The door swings open almost immediately, and there’s my dad, tanned and glowing like he just walked off the beach. His brown hair and beard are streaked with white now, a little older than the last time I saw him, but still holding that same rich arrogant vibe with his slightly unbuttoned shirt. His arms stretch out wide, reminding me of the Christ the Redeemer statue Koa and I visited in Rio.

“My little girl is home,” he says, pulling me into a hug that smells like expensive cologne and the ocean.

This is his home, not mine. After my mother passed away from cancer, he packed his bags and dropped me off at The Shredder House before flying out here and planting new roots, starting a new family.

“Hey, Dad,” I reply, a bit awkwardly, the warmth in his embrace not quite reaching the tightness in my chest.

As I pull back, I catch the way his eyes flicker toward Koa, a weird look passing over his face, but it’s gone in an instant. He quickly refocuses on me, all smiles again as he steps aside and gestures for us to come in.

I’m struck by how quiet it is—no loud voices, no slamming doors, none of the usual chaos. I glance around, noticing the stillness in the air.

“Where is everyone?” I ask, my voice low.

Dad waves a hand like it’s nothing. “Oh, your stepmother, or I guess ex-stepmother took the boys and left months ago. Apparently, she was tired of the life I provided her,” he says, like it’s no big deal. “But don’t worry, I’ve got a new girl now. Younger, hotter…still upstairs getting ready.”

I stare blankly at him. “Why didn’t you think to tell me that they left?”

He shrugs, his smile never faltering. “Figured you wouldn’t care. You were never close to them anyway.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, resisting the urge to snap back. It’s typical of him, brushing things off like they don’t matter. And maybe they don’t, to him. But still…they were my family, in some twisted way.

I hear the soft click of heels descending the staircase, and when I turn, I feel a wave of nausea roll through me. A woman who looks no more than five years older than me, maybe even younger, walks over with a smile that’s just a little too perfect, placing a gentle kiss on my dad’s lips before turning to me. She’s tall, with long dark hair cascading in waves down her back, wearing a tight dress that leaves very little to the imagination.

“You must be Maliah. I’m Victoria,” she says in a soft, breathy voice, holding out her arms for an awkward air-hug. I force a smile, though my stomach twists as I oblige.

“Nice to meet you,” I manage to say, trying to be polite.

But then I notice as Victoria’s gaze shifts to Koa, her eyes lingering a little too long, like she’s sizing him up. When she hugs him, it’s not the same weird air-hug she gave me. No, she makes sure their bodies brush against each other, her hand gliding down his arm. Koa stiffens instantly, his discomfort visible as he glances at me, his face trying to mask the awkwardness. I feel my hands ball into fists.

God, why did I want to come here?

“The chefs are still preparing our food,” my dad announces with a grin, completely oblivious to what’s happening. “How about a house tour, eh? I don’t think your boy toy has ever been to a house this big.”

My stomach plummets. Mortified, I see Koa tense next to me, his jaw ticking with the effort of holding back.

“His name is Koa, Dad. You’ve met him before,” I snap, my voice sharper than intended. “And your house isn’t even that big.”

I don’t miss the way my dad’s smile tightens, the flash of annoyance in his eyes at my remark. He leans in slightly, his voice calm but icy. “It’s the biggest house on the whole coast, so I’d beg to differ. And I’m pretty sure the last time I saw Koa , you two were broken up.”

Tensions brews in the room, thick and heavy, and I can feel the heat rising in my chest. Just as I’m about to say something I’d probably regret, Victoria jumps in, smiling brightly as if to smooth things over. “Let’s start the tour, shall we?” she says, leading the way, her voice all sweetness.

We follow behind them, my dad’s arm draped possessively over Victoria’s shoulder as she chatters about the house like it’s a damn palace. I let out a long, shaky breath, trying to calm myself. The whole situation feels surreal, like a nightmare.

I reach for Koa’s hand, needing some sort of anchor. As soon as my fingers brush his, I feel a shock run through me. His hand is ice cold, and when I press my thumb into his palm, I can feel his pulse racing.

He’s furious.

I squeeze his hand, trying to pour reassurance, and maybe even an apology, into the gesture. But I’m met with silence, Koa’s gaze fixed ahead, jaw clenched so tightly I can see the muscle in his neck twitching.

After the stupidly long tour, mostly long because Victoria took every chance she got to show us each room in detail as if we were stupid; from how the lamps turn on when you clap, to how the bed raises for you so you don’t have to in the morning. By the time we make it to the dinner table, I’m starving.

Dinner feels like a bizarre spectacle with us all seated around my dad’s stupidly long table, like we’re in some medieval castle. Dad, of course, sits at the head, his little throne of power, while the rest of us line the sides. Even Victoria. No one ever gets to sit at the end, except him. His weird way of maintaining control, I guess.

Victoria can’t seem to stop talking, her voice sugary and high-pitched as she rambles on about the house tour. She’s got that same fake cheer plastered on her face, like she’s hosting a reality show.

“How’s the tour going, anyway?” she asks with a bright smile, glancing at Koa like he’s the next item on tonight’s menu. “Your dad’s been following all the headlines and live streams, you know. And I’ve been watching too. Saw the first six episodes of SurfFlix…but wow, Koa, you look way better in person than on TV.”

My hands form tight fists under the table, nails digging into my palms. I force out a laugh—fake, brittle. The kind that’s meant to avoid conflict. Beside me, Koa clears his throat. “Thanks for the compliment,” he says smoothly, trying to be polite but obviously eager for her to stop gawking at him. He picks up his fork, and we both start eating in tense silence.

A few moments later, my dad speaks up, steering the conversation into territory I’d rather avoid. “I saw your accident, Koa,” he says, casually cutting into his steak. “Watched the whole thing on a live stream. Stupid mistake to make, wasn’t it?”

My pulse quickens, anxiety blooming in my chest. My gaze shifts to Koa, praying he won’t snap at my dad. Koa pauses, clearly thinking it through before he answers. “You’re right,” he says, his tone measured. “It was a stupid mistake. But I guess that’s why it was called a mistake. I’ve learned from it.”

Dad scoffs, not quite making eye contact as he offers a half-grin. “Well, at least you learned from that .”

There’s something dark in his words, a hidden jab. Koa and my dad lock eyes, the tension between them tightening like a rubber band about to snap. They stare at each other for a long beat, and I can’t quite figure out what my dad’s trying to insinuate, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. My brow furrows as I glance between them, sensing something beneath the surface that I’m missing.

When dinner finally ends, I’m more than ready to bolt before the dessert can be served. Victoria, already halfway through her second glass of wine, slams the rest back and stands up, stretching.

“I need some air,” she announces dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Maliah, let's take a walk on the beach, hmm? Too much male testosterone in the air for me.”

I hesitate, glancing at Koa. I don’t like the idea of leaving him alone with my dad, especially after that weird exchange. But Koa catches my eye and nods, his expression calm, though I can still see the storm brewing behind his eyes.

“Go ahead,” he says quietly. “I’ll be fine.”

Reluctantly, I stand up and follow Victoria towards the patio doors.

The air is still warm, even though the sun’s starting to dip behind the horizon. I walk next to Victoria, the sand shifting under our feet. The waves crash gently in the distance.

“Phew, those two really don’t like each other, huh?” Victoria says, bending over to take off her heels, her bare feet sinking into the cool sand. “I thought someone was going to throw a steak knife for sure.”

I let out a small laugh, but it’s forced. “Yeah, that was weird,” I mumble, more to myself than to her. My mind is still replaying the awkward standoff between my dad and Koa, trying to make sense of it.

Victoria straightens up and glances over at me, as if she’s been waiting for me to ask something.

“So, uh, how’d you meet my dad?”

She smiles like she’s got the best story in the world. “Oh my gosh, I thought you’d never ask. It’s kind of funny. I was on a horrible date at this fancy restaurant with some guy in finance, he was cute and all, but boring as hell, and then I spotted your dad sitting at the bar, looking all broody and mysterious. I thought ‘there’s a problem I can fix,’ so I ditched my date and went over to him. We hit it off right away, like literally, he moved me in with him that very night. Haven’t been apart since.”

I blink at her, waiting for the funny part of the story, but it never comes so I nod. The first thought that pops into my head is gold digger . The words just sit there, hanging heavy in my mind, but I don’t say anything. Instead, I try to smile, but it doesn’t quite reach my eyes.

“Right.”

Victoria doesn’t seem to notice. She’s too busy looking out at the ocean like we’re in some cheesy romance movie. “He’s got this…powerful presence, doesn’t he? Hard not to fall for that.”

My stomach twists at her words, and suddenly, I can’t stand being out here anymore. “You know what?” I cut her off, my voice sharp. “I’m not really feeling the beach right now. I think I’m going to head back inside.”

Victoria looks at me surprised, but then waves it off like it’s nothing. “Okay, no problem. I’ll be in soon. Just want to walk off that meal,” she says, stretching her arms above her head again, her underwear basically on full display.

The meal you barely ate , I think but don’t say.

Instead, I just nod and turn back towards the house, quickening my pace. Being here, with her, with them —it doesn’t feel like home. It feels like I’m a stranger in my own dad’s life.