The Power Trip

Yes. For Hammond had proved that he was capable of anything.

Chapter Fifty-Four

‘It’s time to move,’ Cruz announced over breakfast in Acapulco.

‘Move where?’ asked Ina, channelling her best Salma Hayek in a form-fitting turquoise dress, her overly large breasts spilling out, nipples permanently erect — the result of her breast enlargement surgery.

‘Nothin’ to do with you,’ Sergei said, slurping strong black coffee from a ceramic mug. ‘Me and your brother got business to conduct. You stay out of it.’

Ina frowned. If it wasn’t for her, Sergei would never have met Cruz. She knew for a fact that they’d done many a deal together, so shouldn’t she be getting commission? Or at the very least shouldn’t Sergei be dumping the American puta he kept stashed in his Mexico City apartment and start thinking of marrying her? It wasn’t right. She felt insulted.

Now her brother and Sergei were planning something big, and they didn’t care to tell her what it was, which infuriated her.

Fortunately she’d learned the art of spying from her brother, and she knew their plan had something to do with a yacht they were about to hi-jack and hold for ransom. A yacht that was cruising the Sea of Cortez. A little off Cruz’s regular beat, but she supposed he knew what he was doing. Her brother had cojones the size of Cuba.

Ina had always had a bit of a crush on Cruz, although he’d never paid her much attention. Her brother was more exciting than Sergei, who had a vicious temper and wasn’t that adventurous in bed. Sergei had never gone down on her, and several of Cruz’s conquests had confided in the past that her brother was a master in that department.

Truth was that if Cruz wasn’t her brother, she would’ve definitely had the hots for him. Too bad they were related.

Forbidden love. Why was it forbidden when it seemed so right?

‘We leave tonight,’ Cruz said.

‘About time,’ Sergei said.

‘Where we goin’?’ Ina enquired.

Both men ignored her.

* * *

Sergei had arranged to rent a villa on a very large private estate outside Cabo: a sprawling villa off the beaten track, with beach access and no neighbours. Cruz’s team of misfits had already taken up residence, busily preparing for their strike against The Bianca, making sure they had everything they needed. Two powerful speedboats, supplies, rifles, guns.

Cruz had trained them well. His men were Somalians who spoke no English, but they sure as hell understood exactly what he wanted. Over the last few years he’d made them richer than they could ever have imagined. He was their boss, and they did whatever they were instructed to do.

Sergei was unknown to them. However, if Cruz indicated he was the man, as long as there was money to be made, they were prepared to work for him too.

Sergei brought several of his personal bodyguards to the villa. Stoic men of Russian descent, they did not mix with the Somalians, considering themselves far superior.

The plan had not included bringing Ina with them too, although, since she apparently knew more than she should, Sergei had finally agreed that it would be better if she came.

Cruz had not objected. What did he care? His sister could make herself useful; she could keep Sergei busy in the bedroom and out of his way.

When taking over a boat, everyone had to know what they were doing. Gaining control was a fast and furious thing — there could be no mistakes. The day they hit The Bianca, Cruz did not relish the thought of taking Sergei along on the ride. Sergei wasn’t a professional hijacker, which meant he could well turn out to be a liability. Unfortunately, Sergei had insisted he be present. ‘I want to watch Aleksandr Kasianenko’s fuckin’ face when we take over his yacht,’ he’d growled. ‘That bastard is responsible for my brother’s death, and now I will see that he pays.’

The details of exactly how Aleksandr would pay were still milling around in Sergei’s head.

It would be long and painful. Of that he was sure.

Chapter Fifty-Five

Lori was basking in her time with Luca, because even though he was a huge star and world-famous, he was so down to earth and so much fun. She couldn’t help wondering what he was doing with the crusty uptight Englishman who had practically ignored her all through last night’s dinner. What could Luca possibly see in Jeromy Milton-Gold? Jeromy was not even attractive, with his long thin nose and small squinty eyes. And judging from the previous evening, he certainly wasn’t loaded with charm.

The island was such an idyllic paradise, Lori kept on wishing that Cliff had come with her. It was an experience not to be missed. On the other hand, Luca seemed quite happy that his significant other had failed to make the effort, and she could understand why.

‘Jeromy’s not like us,’ Luca confided. ‘He’s more into indoor activities, if you get what I mean.’

‘Sex?’ Lori questioned, tilting her head.

‘Not my kind of sex,’ Luca retorted, grimacing.

‘You’re gay,’ Lori said boldly. ‘Doesn’t that mean you’re up for anything?’

‘Not me,’ Luca said quickly. ‘I’m a one-on-one kinda guy.’

‘Yet the one you’ve chosen is Jeromy.’

‘Here’s the situation,’ Luca explained. ‘I fell straight out of the closet into his arms. He kind of took me over.’ A meaningful pause. ‘Lately I’ve been thinking it might be time to break away.’

‘Why?’ she asked curiously. ‘Have you met someone else?’

‘No, but Jeromy’s life-style’s not for me.’

‘And you’ve only just realized this?’

‘Y’know, Lori,’ he said thoughtfully, ‘sometimes things take a while to figure out.’

She nodded, feeling immensely flattered that Luca felt free to reveal his true feelings to her. They barely knew each other, and it wasn’t like she was famous or anything. Obviously he liked her, and that made her feel as if she belonged. This trip was turning out to be better than she’d expected.

‘I guess being away from everything is the perfect time to think things through,’ she offered.

Luca ran his hand through his mop of thick blond hair. ‘Right,’ he agreed. ‘An’ that’s exactly what I’m doing.’

‘Then I hope for your sake that you reach the right conclusion.’

‘Oh, I will,’ he said, nodding to himself. ‘And you, Lori,’ he added, ‘what’s up with you and Cliff Baxter?’

‘Uh… well,’ she answered hesitantly. ‘We’ve been together a year.’

‘Where’s it going? Or should I ask — where do you want it to go?’

‘I don’t know, I’m not sure,’ she mumbled. ‘It’s complicated.’

‘Marriage? Children?’ Luca persisted.

‘Cliff’s not the marrying kind,’ she said.

‘That doesn’t mean you can’t change his mind.’ Luca paused for a moment, ‘Is it something you want?’

Before she could answer, Hammond came lumbering up to them, his T-shirt drenched in sweat, his face pink from the heat, brown hair plastered to his forehead.