Chapter Eighty-Four
Usually Cliff was a heavy sleeper, so much so that he would’ve slept through the entire storm if Lori hadn’t awakened him. He could sleep through most things — including the big L.A. earthquake in 1994 — but tonight was different. After Lori nudged him awake he couldn’t get back to sleep, even though the storm had stopped and the yacht was only gently rocking.
Not wishing to disturb Lori, who was now sleeping, he got out of bed, padded into the bathroom, closed the door, put on the light, took a leak, then stood in front of the mirror above the marble sink and studied his reflection.
Cliff Baxter. Superstar.
Cliff Baxter. Soon to be fifty.
Cliff Baxter. Man alone.
His face was craggy, not as handsome as it appeared on screen. There were new lines around his eyes and jowls every day, and the grey in his hair was increasing by the week. He refused to dye it — artificial props were not for him. No Botox, fillers or whatever miraculous shit some famous dermatologist was forever coming up with.
Cliff was comfortable with the way he looked. Most of all he was comfortable with Lori.
Before the trip he’d considered trading her in for a new model.
Why? Because Enid didn’t like her?
Because the press felt he should change it up every year? Get himself a fresh young girlfriend for even more photo opportunities. A new spectacular body to pose beside him at industry events looking pretty while saying nothing.
What the hell. If he wasn’t careful he could easily be perceived as a dirty old man, and that was
Lori had been great on this trip. Warm, fun, sexy as hell and everyone liked her.
So… would he ever consider making her a permanent fixture?
Hmm… it was not such an impossible thought.
Mercedes had been under the impression that everyone was going to be rounded up and put into the mess- hall — crew and guests alike. Padlocking the rich and famous into their luxurious suites was not what she’d expected.
How was she supposed to raid their rooms and take the loot she had her eye on? This was intended to be the trip where she made her own personal score — jewelry, cash, and the big prize — the emerald and diamond ring Aleksandr Kasianenko had stashed in his safe.
In her mind she’d already mapped out her future. Enough with being her dad’s happy helper, she yearned for her own life. And counting on the score she’d make with the jewelry and cash, she could have everything she’d ever wanted. After all, she was the only one who knew about the ring. And apart from Cruz, she was the only one who could crack a safe.
What was this padlocking them into their rooms crap? This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be.
She had to persuade Cruz to gather everyone in the same place, and soon.
‘This is outrageous!’ Jeromy objected loudly as the lanky young pirate pushed and shoved him into the crew’s dining room. ‘I will not stand for it!’
Was he dreaming? Was this a bizarre nightmare? If he shut his eyes, would it all go away?
Cashoo was a happy young man. He slipped Jeromy’s fancy robe over his clothes and pantomimed a wild and somewhat obscene dance for Daleel and Hani, the two smirking pirates standing near the door, weapons drawn.
The shocked crew watched in horror, anticipating their fate. They’d heard stories about what pirates did to their hostages, and it wasn’t pretty.
‘Where are the girls?’ Den whispered to Guy. ‘Renee and Mercedes?’
Guy didn’t want to think about where they might be.
Cruz did not believe in wasting time. Everyone had a job to do, and his job was to get the ransom demand in action as fast as possible.
He was in charge, and they’d all best listen to him or else, because the faster the money was paid, the easier it would be for all concerned.
He was in possession of a yacht full of rich, famous people. It wouldn’t be long before some kind of rescue mission was launched. Also he had no doubt that when Sergei’s men failed to return with Kasianenko, Sergei would go on an angry rampage.
Cruz could only imagine Sergei’s fury, which he’d probably take out on Ina.
Too bad. Unfortunately there was nothing Cruz could do about that. He had himself to look out for. Besides, he and Ina had never been close. She might be his sister, but he didn’t like her that much.
The key to getting this all done quickly was Kasianenko himself. Once he had the Russian billionaire’s co- operation, everything should move smoothly.
Cruz was confident that soon he’d be richer than he’d ever dreamed of.
‘What the hell is this?’ Bianca questioned, staring at her Russian lover.
Aleksandr had pressed a hidden button, and the mirrored wall behind his shower slid back revealing a secret room.
‘It’s a safe room,’ Aleksandr said matter-of-factly. ‘For emergencies.’
‘Is this an emergency?’ Bianca questioned, widening her eyes.
‘I have no idea until I see what’s going on,’ Aleksandr said. ‘And before I do that, I must make sure you are protected.’
‘Oh my God!’ Bianca exclaimed, beginning to experience waves of panic. ‘You
Ever so gently, Aleksandr edged her into the compact room — fully equipped for any kind of situation, even including a satellite phone. ‘I’ll make a call when I know for sure what’s happening,’ he said.
Bianca was in semi-shock. She watched in awe as Aleksandr removed a handgun from a cupboard stocked with all kinds of emergency supplies. Then he checked that the gun was loaded, and stuck it in his belt. Talk about macho! Somehow it was reassuring that he remained so calm.
‘In the meantime,’ Aleksandr said, ‘do not even
‘Yes,’ she said meekly. ‘Hurry back and be safe.’
‘Oh, I will be,
Chapter Eighty-Five
Adventure had always been Flynn’s thing. Taking risks, getting himself out of dangerous situations, knowing what to do and when to do it.
Being trapped on a billionaire’s yacht with a bunch of bloodthirsty pirates was not a situation he had ever imagined he’d ever encounter. Only here it was, and here
Obviously their main prize was Aleksandr, although who knew what they’d do when they discovered who
