Chapter Forty-Three
Sierra and Hammond arrived at the cocktail gathering shortly before it ended, due to the fact that Hammond could not seem to stop himself from spewing venom about Flynn and how he hated him, and why was he on this supposedly exclusive trip?
Sierra had continued to remain silent while her husband paced up and down venting his fury, although she was somewhat confused as to why Hammond was so angry. Hadn’t he and Flynn been friends, even roommates, at one time? Wasn’t he the one that Flynn had asked to watch out for her? Was his anger due to the fact that Flynn had treated her so shabbily? And if so, why was he taking it out on
It didn’t make sense. She was the one who should be upset, not Hammond.
When they finally left their stateroom and joined the others, Sierra made sure she had no contact with Flynn whatsoever. She stayed by Hammond’s side playing her role of good wife, although her stomach was churning and she did not dare to glance in Flynn’s direction.
Not that she wanted to. He was the man who’d broken her heart into a thousand little pieces, and she could never forgive him for that.
After the car accident and the loss of her baby she’d spent time travelling across Europe visiting relatives, finally returning to her family in New York where she’d taken up social work, counselling young victims of rape and abuse. It was hard work, but she found it fulfilling. It was exactly what she needed.
Eventually she’d moved out of her parents’ home and settled into an apartment with a girl she worked with. Soon she’d started dating sporadically — nothing serious, until one day she’d run into Hammond, now an up-and- coming lawyer with big political aspirations, at a fundraiser.
At first he’d complained that he’d tried to contact her and she’d never returned his calls. Then he’d proceeded to court her in a way she’d found hard to resist. He’d been so damn charming, honest and committed to doing all kinds of worthwhile work which really impressed her. No longer the drunken horny student who’d been responsible for their horrific car accident, he seemed like a changed man with a definite purpose in life, and although she didn’t love him in the way she’d once loved Flynn, he’d finally worn her down, and she’d said yes to his marriage proposal. ‘Together we can change the world,’ he’d promised, and naively she’d believed him.
They were married in Connecticut at her family’s house. It was a lavish wedding, exactly the way Hammond wanted it. Her parents had influential friends and they all turned out, so did his family. Hammond used the occasion to cement future connections.
It took a year or so before she realized she’d made a horrible mistake. By that time it was too late. She was Hammond’s wife, a major political asset. And one thing she knew for sure — he would never let her go.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served,’ Guy announced. He had seen and heard that very line spoken in a series of old movies and he thought it sounded perfect. It gave him the personality and identity he imagined he deserved.
Guy always hoped the guests not only noticed him, but depended on him for anything they might need, for being noticed and appreciated meant a much larger tip at the end of the voyage. He always made a bet in his own mind about who would turn out to be the most generous tipper. On this trip it would be Aleksandr, although one could never be too sure.
Luca perhaps — famous singers were known for their generosity. However, Luca’s miserable English partner was bound to be a penny-pincher.
The politician? No. Politicians raised money and were all notoriously stingy when it came to parting with their own.
Well then, there was always the movie star, Mr Cliff Baxter himself. Except Guy knew from past experience that movie stars expected everything for free in exchange for their illustrious presence.
Which left Taye Sherwin, a fine working-class lad who’d done well for himself. And Flynn, the journalist — a man who probably didn’t believe in tipping.
Guy made a note to himself to drop the word — maybe to the movie-star’s girlfriend — that all guests were expected to tip the crew for services rendered.
One of the things Guy most enjoyed on a cruise was getting to know everyone’s secrets, and on a boat, secrets were hard to hide. If he didn’t find out for himself, the maids or other crew members were always quick to fill him in.
Life on a luxury yacht with guests aboard was very much an
‘Dinner is served,’ he announced for the second time, repeating his words loudly because nobody seemed to be moving — they were all having too good a time.
‘Thanks, Guy,’ Bianca responded, waving her well-toned arms in the air. ‘Let’s go everyone, I’m starving!’
‘What a fab table-setting!’ Ashley exclaimed as the guests approached an elegant oval table located on the middle deck. The table was decorated with cut-glass vases containing beautiful white roses — Bianca’s favourite flower. There was also exquisite crystal stemware, gleaming silver cutlery, black and silver dishes, and tall white candles in ornate holders. The result was a photo-perfect table.
‘Please all find your place-cards,’ Bianca announced, a tad mischievously. ‘I placed everyone myself, ’cause I’d like you all to get to know each other. I promise to change it up every day, so look out!’
‘Trust
Bianca snapped her fingers and Guy handed her a list.
‘Looks like you’ve got Taye on one side and Ashley on the other,’ she said. ‘Hmm, Luca, a Sherwin sandwich. Think you can handle it?’
‘You
Jeromy scowled. He did not appreciate the thought of Luca getting too friendly with the Sherwins. ‘And where might I be?’ he asked snippily.
Bianca consulted her list; she’d spent quite some time deciding where to seat everyone. ‘Let me see,’ she said. ‘You’re between two beautiful women. Sierra Patterson and Lori.’
‘Lori?’ Jeromy questioned with a slight sneer, even though he knew full well who Lori was. She was the nobody redhead attached to the movie star.
Bianca chose to ignore Jeromy because he irritated her. Surely Luca could have come up with someone more exciting than this uptight turd? She turned to Cliff Baxter. ‘You’re sitting next to me,’ she said warmly. ‘And I expect you to tell me exactly what it’s like being labelled the Sexiest Man Alive.’
‘Pure hell,’ Cliff responded with a self-deprecating grin. ‘Women throwing themselves at me. Guys too. It’s a miracle I make it through the day.’
‘Ah, but I’m sure that you manage somehow,’ Bianca teased, licking her full lips.
‘I try,’ Cliff said with a jaunty wink. ‘It’s not easy.’
‘You’re seated next to Flynn Hudson,’ Bianca said, turning to Sierra and taking her arm in a friendly fashion. ‘I thought you two might have things in common. Aleksandr says Flynn’s a very smart journalist and writer, so I’m sure you’ll find him interesting.’
‘Really,’ Sierra murmured, her heart skipping a beat.
‘By the way,’ Bianca continued, ‘it’s a pleasure to finally meet you — and your husband’s charming.’
‘Yes,’ Bianca continued. ‘Aleksandr is quite a supporter. He thinks that Hammond has great potential to make big changes in America.’
‘Does he?’ Sierra said, thinking how easy it was to fool people.
‘Yes, he does, and Aleksandr is usually right.’
‘Good to know.’
‘So?’ Bianca said cheekily. ‘How would
