The Power Trip

The truth was that she had no headache. She felt remarkably clear-headed for the first time in months.

Flynn Hudson. He was here on this yacht. And if not now, when would she ever have the chance to find out why he’d treated her the way he had? So callous. So cruel and nasty. So unlike the Flynn she’d known, the man to whom she’d given up her virginity, the man she’d once loved with every fibre of her being.

Suddenly everything seemed very clear. If an explanation was all she needed, then maybe she could reclaim her life and become the person she once was, not this pathetic shell of a woman who yearned for a love she could never have, a woman who lived in fear of a domineering and threatening husband.

Were Hammond’s threats even real?

Who knew? He’d led her to believe that they were. But surely even he couldn’t be such a monster?

Or could he?

It was something she might be forced to find out.

* * *

Lori was totally psyched. A visit to a mysterious deserted island, how rad was that?

Cliff, not so much. ‘If you don’t mind, I think I’ll sit this one out,’ he said. ‘I feel like finding a nice quiet corner and reading a script or two.’

‘Do you want me to stay with you?’ Lori asked, although she was dying to explore the island.

‘No, sweetie, you go,’ he said, throwing her a quizzical look. ‘Only you’d better watch out for the horny Senator.’

‘Excuse me?’ she said, startled.

‘That randy bastard has had his eye on you ever since we got here.’

‘Who?’ she asked, as if she didn’t know.

‘Aren’t you listening? The Senator, babe. Politicians got it goin’ on. Ever since Clinton they think they’re all movie stars. Only don’t forget that I’m the real deal. Okay?’

There were times when Cliff totally endeared himself to her, and this was one of them. He’d noticed! And he was — well, if not jealous… at least aware.

‘Oh,’ Lori said, suppressing a smile. ‘I can handle him. J.F.K. he’s not.’

Cliff laughed. Lori was such a good sport and fun to be with (not to mention the world-class blow-jobs), so much fun that he was seriously considering keeping her around for another year. Who needed the hassle of breaking in a new girlfriend when an esteemed Senator seemed to get off on the one he already had? Lori was hot stuff, and she never pushed him on marriage or any of that crap.

‘Go have a blast,’ he said, patting her on the ass. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

She turned around and planted a big fat kiss on his cheek. ‘I’ll miss you,’ she said, genuinely meaning it.

He gave her one of his famous grins. ‘Try not to miss me too much.’

‘I’ll try.’

‘Good girl.’

‘Oh, and while we’re on the subject of flirting,’ she added, ‘do me a favour and steer clear of Miss Blonde Big Tits. Okay?’

‘She’s married!’ Cliff objected.

‘So’s the Senator.’

‘Get outta here,’ Cliff said, starting to laugh again. ‘The blonde’s all talk and no blow. Besides, I prefer me a hot-blooded redhead.’

‘Hmm,’ Lori said, putting on a mock stern voice. ‘Let’s make sure it stays that way.’

‘Yes, ma’am!’

* * *

‘I have decided not to go,’ Jeromy said, pursing his thin lips.

‘Why not?’ Luca wanted to know.

‘Because I am perfectly happy staying on the yacht and relaxing, thank you very much. I have no desire to start traipsing around some stupid island. It doesn’t appeal to me.’

‘You’re missing out,’ Luca said mildly.

‘I think not.’

Luca shrugged and gave up. Jeromy was not the outdoors type. Mr Milton-Gold preferred indoor activities, with a martini clutched in his manicured hand and his body clad in an expensive designer outfit.

‘If that’s the way you want it, then I guess I’ll see you later,’ Luca said, anxious to get going and join the others.

‘You’re still leaving then?’ Jeromy said, surprised and irritated that Luca didn’t elect to stay with him.

‘You bet your ass,’ Luca replied enthusiastically. ‘Wouldn’t miss it.’

Jeromy scowled. He didn’t like the idea of Luca running off without him, although the thought of sweating his way through some hideous deserted island was enough to make him stick to his original decision. This was supposed to be a leisure trip, not some screwed-up version of the TV show Survivor.

‘Well,’ Jeromy said testily, making the most of an annoying situation, ‘try to enjoy yourself without me.’

‘Yeah,’ Luca said, looking forward to some time away from Jeromy. ‘I’ll do that.’

* * *

The Bianca had two luxurious tenders, each able to accommodate several crew- members and eight passengers.

The guests gathered, ready to disembark from the big yacht.

Guy, along with Renee and Den, was also on the trip, prepared to cater to the celebrity guests’ every need. Guy had wanted Mercedes to come too, but when several passengers had elected to stay on board The Bianca, reluctantly he’d left her to take care of them.

‘You’re in charge of seeing that these people have everything they need,’ he’d warned her. ‘I do not wish to hear one complaint.’

‘Got it covered, boss,’ Mercedes had said with a cheeky tilt of her chin.

‘Do not call me boss,’ Guy admonished, not sure if he liked this girl or not. There was something about her he couldn’t quite warm to. Maybe the Captain was right — she wasn’t the perfect fit. ‘Mr Guy will do nicely.’

‘Yes, Mr Guy,’ she said, teetering on the edge of sarcasm.

‘And don’t forget to see if the Captain would like you to bring him lunch,’ Guy said, frowning. He would not be hiring this one again. She was too fresh — and not in a physical way.

‘I’ve got it covered, bo— uh, Mr Guy.’

Both tenders were loaded with supplies. Several bottles of champagne, soft drinks, snacks, and an elaborate picnic lunch.

‘Where’s your boyfriend?’ Hammond asked as he followed Lori onto one of the tenders.

‘He’s decided to stay on board and read,’ Lori said. ‘How about your wife? Is she coming with?’

‘Headache,’ Hammond answered shortly, admiring Lori’s long tanned legs, no freckles in sight.

‘Poor thing,’ Lori said, her eyes following Taye as he made his way down the ladder onto the boat, followed by Ashley, clad in some kind of flimsy leopard-print cover-up — which actually revealed more than it covered.

Bianca, Aleksandr, Luca, Xuan and Flynn were already in the second tender.

As the two boats took off, Captain Dickson appeared at the side of the yacht, and waved them on their way. ‘Have a wonderful day,’ he shouted.

‘We plan to,’ Bianca shouted back.

And then they were off.

* * *

Cliff found a quiet corner on the top deck where he settled with a pile of scripts. A peaceful afternoon suited him just fine, as it wasn’t often he had the luxury of spending time by himself. His life consisted of making movies, followed by travelling the world promoting them. There was no way he could estimate how many interviews he’d given over the last two decades, nor how many photo sessions he’d posed for. Not that he was complaining, for the rewards were plentiful.

Still… a full afternoon where he didn’t have to play Cliff Baxter, charming movie star, was sheer bliss.