Anne looked at Violette before she said, “And we might have to ante up Harper’s legal retainer and any bail that might be required.” Both women looked at Jamie and Nik for support. Both guys looked uncomfortable, but they were clearly going to stand behind their women—they weren’t fools.
Con looked at the twins sternly. “I have a suggestion to make, but it depends on you. Losing a steward in the middle of a voyage would be inconvenient. That being said, don’t imagine we can’t get along without you, Baylee. Here is my suggestion. You can both continue in the role of steward for the three suites. I don’t want to expose any of the other passengers to your proclivities. However, Barbee has to sign the standard ship documentation including the confidentiality agreement, and you both have to agree to cease and desist from all criminal activities. You will both be under surveillance at all times, and any deviations from our agreement will result in your being put back in custody and turned over to the authorities at the next port, whatever that might be, however inconvenient for you that might be.” Con looked at them carefully trying to discern their actual intentions. “What do you think? Do you want to discuss it between yourselves?”
* * * *
Barbee took the lead again. “That is very generous of you, especially you ladies, all things considered. I can promise that we won’t let you down again.” Barbee was amazed. This was a much better outcome than she would have predicted. She knew they would have to toe the mark and that the eyes of the entire crew would be on them at all times, not to mention the eyes of the passengers. She was sure the story had made the rounds of the entire ship by this time. That was going to be embarrassing, having everyone know they were thieves, not to mention the scene in the dungeon. It had always seemed like a glamorous second career, but right now, it wasn’t feeling very glamorous. She glanced at Alex and saw the hard look on his face. She knew that he was not going to be easily won over.
* * * *
Baylee heaved a momentary sigh of relief. She had been terrified that they might end up in jail, which would have been horrible, even if they had excellent legal representation and weren’t convicted. That would have been unlikely given the evidence of the stolen jewelry hidden in the luggage in her cabin. In all the years they had been jewel thieves, they had never even been questioned by the police before, and their records were spotless. Then she looked over at Alex and saw the look of complete disgust on his face. His eyes were cold and angry. Her stomach muscles quivered. He looked so upset and betrayed. “Master, are you okay with this solution?”
“Do not call me ‘Master,’ Ms. Baxter. That relationship—with both of you—has ended, not to be resumed.” His voice was frigid and his stance was stiff.
She knew there was no way she could make this up to him. She also knew in that moment that she had indeed fallen in love with him. Barbee had been right. Engaging in a relationship with him had been extremely dangerous to her heart and her self-esteem. She didn’t know how she was going to deal with this. She would rather take a beating than see that look on his chiseled features. The rest of this cruise under his eye and his command was going to be very uncomfortable to say the least.
Chapter Eighteen
The Golden Dolphin—Devil’s Island, Six Nautical Miles off the Coast of French Guiana, March 9, 2014—Sunday 6:30 a.m., Day Eighteen of the Cruise
Sunday morning the ship was scheduled to dock at Devil’s Island at ten o’clock. Nik awoke early to the sound of Violette out on their deck practicing with Colleen for the upcoming passengers’ concert. The sun was just peaking over the horizon. She had not forgotten that she had promised the passengers a private concert, and he knew she felt her wrist was now up to the challenge. He rolled over and, in his semiconscious state, let the sweet sounds invade his mind and body. Listening to her play was like an out-of-body experience. He never got tired of it. Right now his body was hungry, and he’d like to enjoy invading her mind and body. His morning erection was making itself known under the silk sheets as he stretched luxuriously.
He was ready for some peace and quiet. This cruise had turned out to be more challenging than he had anticipated. All of the goings-on had been disturbing—from the attempts on Violette in Rio to the stolen jewelry and drama over Baylee and Barbee.
As he was contemplating all of the excitement, there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in.” Baylee entered the suite with a room service cart carrying Vi’s early morning coffee, juice, and bagels. She hesitated when she saw he was still in bed. “Come on in. It’s okay. I’m decent.” He grinned. “Well, almost. Violette’s out on the deck.” When she had wheeled the cart outside, he got up and put on his robe.
“I just want to say how sorry I am about everything and to thank you for giving us another chance. Barbee and I both appreciate your support.”
Violette looked confused. “What were you thinking, Baylee? How could you think you would get away with this, and more pertinent, how could you think it was okay?”
“It’s just something we had done for so long that it seemed normal to us. I know that sounds lame, but it’s the truth. We never stole anything from anyone who couldn’t afford to lose it, or who wasn’t probably heavily insured. I know, I know. I can see by the look on your face that you don’t agree that you could afford to lose your bracelet.”
Nik stepped out on the deck in time to hear her remarks. “Even if your victims were wealthy, how do you know that what you took from them wasn’t priceless to them or irreplaceable? Money and insurance don’t always make it okay. We’re not talking about a dented fender here.”
She looked ashamed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Barbee and I have discussed this, and we’ve decided that our second careers have terminated permanently. This was a real wake-up call.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Violette said. Then she smiled and changed the subject. “I think we’re about ready for our concert on deck on Friday. That will be the night before we dock in Miami.”
“I know everyone is excited. I’ve heard the passengers talking about it. That, and Jamie Devereau’s plan for some kind of games on the top deck tomorrow night while we’re still out to sea before docking in Barbados on Tuesday morning.”
“That guy is amazing. I’m sure he’ll come up with something good.”
After Baylee had left the suite, Nik sat down on the deck and poured their coffee. “I have to say, babe, you and Anne have been extremely understanding under the circumstances. I don’t know if I would have been as forgiving.”
She sipped the hot coffee and sighed. “Ah, just what I needed. Given everything else that has been happening, the Baylee and Barbee show was just a blip on the radar. I’m still trying to come to grips with the Katya and Andrei situation, which has much more long-term repercussions on my life than some stolen jewelry.”
He spread cream cheese and homemade cherry jam on the fresh bagels. The food aboard the Golden Dolphin was amazing, and this was just the pre-breakfast breakfast. He definitely needed a session in the ship’s gym this afternoon.
After they had eaten, Violette picked up Colleen again and finished her practice session with a riff of scales followed by a bright Irish jig. He watched as she carefully wiped the instrument down with a soft cloth and put her back in the protective carbon fiber case and secured her in the closet.
When Violette returned to the deck, he pulled her down into his lap on the wide double chaise. Her robe pulled open and he was treated to an unencumbered view of her spectacular assets. “Care to watch the sun come up with me?” At her affirmative nod, he quickly dipped his head to capture one of her pebbled nipples. He sucked it into his hot mouth and flicked the tip repeatedly before he lavished the other one with the same loving treatment. He groaned and settled her more comfortably against his chest.
“That would be lovely. I can think of a few other things that would be lovely,” she sighed as she kissed him lightly. Her light kiss had whetted his appetite for a deeper exploration, and he sank into her, h
is tongue pillaging her eager mouth. When they came up for air he said, “Do you know how much I love you? You mean everything to me.”
“Oh, baby. I love you, too, even if you sometimes make me crazy with your overprotectiveness.”
“Can you honestly say I’ve been overprotective about this Katya thing?” He couldn’t believe she still had doubts after all that had happened. “I have to say I find that amazing.”
“No, I guess not. I just can’t comprehend how she could appear to be my friend and then do all of this, especially after I got her the audition with the Philharmonic in the first place. It baffles me. Was this her plan in befriending me all the time? I would have helped her in any event because she is very talented.”
“Not nearly as talented as you are. And I’m not just hoping to get lucky here.” He laughed up into her face.
“You always manage to ‘get lucky,’ you devil.”
Nik pulled her close and rolled over on top of her. He spread her wide with his strong thighs, and his erect phallus brushed up against her moist pussy. She groaned in delight and snuggled up against him.
* * * *
Violette ran her hands down his muscled back and over his taut butt. He really was gorgeous. What a beautiful man, and he was all hers. She knew she loved him and that there would not ever be anyone else she felt exactly this way about, but she still seemed to cling irrationally to her independence. It was puzzling.
She grabbed on and urged him to mount her as warm, slick moisture flooded her center. She was always in a rush to get to the prize, and he always wanted to draw it out to the last possible second. Yin and yang—and we complement each other so perfectly. The breeze off the water and the warmth of the newly risen sun was delicious on her skin.
He rubbed over her swollen clit in a tight, firm circling motion, and a ripple of delight coasted from her pussy up her spine right to her scalp as he pressed against her crease. Her pulse quickened. She never got enough of him. Her full breasts rubbed against his hard chest as her legs wrapped around his waist.
Finally, finally he entered her to the hilt with a strong thrust. He whispered in her ear, and his deep seductive voice sent more ripples up her spine as he told her what he was going to do to her. He crushed his mouth to hers, and she opened to him completely. He began the slow, rocking strokes that escalated to the hard, pounding thrusts she loved until she exploded into a roaring orgasm, and he followed her over almost immediately. She watched the play of emotions across his strong features, and then held her breath as he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her hard and strong, tapering into hot and then sweet. God, she loved and needed this man.
After their pulses had stopped pounding and he had wrapped her up in her robe again, he said, “That was excellent.” Then he grinned at her and pulled her close to his chest.
* * * *
Nik and Violette were waiting for the ship to drop anchor while they finished their actual breakfast. “Do you want to go ashore and see Devil’s Island? Or would you rather lounge on deck or by the pool?”
“I wouldn’t mind a day of doing nothing. After all the excitement of the last week, I could use a respite. I’m getting excited about my concert on Friday. I know it’s just for the passengers and crew, but it will be the first time I’ve performed since the accident.”
“Have your decided what pieces you’ll play?”
“I was thinking a selection of Irish folk music, maybe ‘Danny Boy’ and some Irish jigs and other folk songs. I haven’t made a final decision. I think everyone would enjoy that more than a classical piece.”
“That sounds good. Colleen will be in her glory.”
Chapter Nineteen
The Golden Dolphin, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean, March 10, 2014 – Monday Evening, Day Nineteen of the Cruise
Nik and Violette, as well as all of the other passengers, were anxiously waiting for Jamie Devereau to reveal the games that were to be played in his Sex Olympics on deck that evening. Speculation had been rampant given the success of the Sultans and Slave Girls costume party at the beginning of the cruise.
They knew that Jamie had been thinking hard about it and had entertained some tongue-in-cheek suggestions from his friends on board such as pin the tail on the donkey. The visual for that one had them all rolling with laughter. Nik knew Jamie still had a number of tricks up his sleeve. He had picked up some gag prizes before the cruise and also some rather serious ones. The ladies would always compete wholeheartedly for jewelry, and he smiled as he remembered the dangling emerald nipple and clit clips that had been such a success. The men had liked the Cuban cigar idea.
Right now it looked like Jamie was most likely going to go with Erotic Charades, Free Willy, Naked Twister, and Truth or Dare. Participants could enter all or any of the games. He knew some people just weren’t game players, but the competition would entertain everyone.
As passengers began to gather on deck for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Casey Campbell, with the help of Natasha Romanova, began to organize the actual games beginning with Erotic Charades. Several of the stewards, including Baylee and Barbee Baxter, were making the rounds of the assembled passengers with trays of champagne. As the teams made up of couples began to play Jamie and Anne joined in, but as usual, they were not competing for the prizes. The subjects or quotes for the game were passed out on cards, and each couple had to give non-verbal clues to their partner until the partner guessed the answer. Each couple was timed, and it was interesting to see which were able to communicate well with their partners. Harper and Morgan Court were very good at the game, but Nik knew he and Violette were even better, and it looked like they would be the winners of the first round. It had taken him only seconds to guess that Violette was Curly, one of the Three Stooges, about to get a blow job. The fun continued with more outrageous clues until finally Nik was the winner of a bottle of Napoleon brandy. When it was presented, he said, “Thanks, Jamie, this is great stuff. I guess I’ll have to share it later.”
“That was my plan all along,” Jamie replied with a grin.
For Free Willy, the couples lined up with the men sitting in chairs while the women were kneeling on the deck between their knees. The object of the game was to see who could get a Willy out of the men’s trousers first without using their hands. Violette took the early lead while lowering Nik’s zipper with her teeth, and since he had gone commando, it looked like she was ahead of the game. While she was nudging Willy with her nose to get him out from behind the zipper, Harper was quickly catching up with a bold move in which she caught a hold of the head of Morgan’s cock with her lips and managed to suck him out of hiding to the uproarious applause of the crowd. She had captured not only Willy, but a beautiful pair of tri-color gold hoop earrings.
The Naked Twister was hilarious as everyone got twisted and eventually fell into a pile of writhing naked bodies. The prize for that competition, comprised of some beautiful French lingerie, went to a couple from Montana who were absolutely without mercy and determined to win.
* * * *
Manuel Montenegro, one of the Blackweiler men from Rio, watched the games from a corner of the deck. He slipped away to use his cell phone and call his partner in Rio. Unfortunately, he had been counting on the two of them getting this assignment together so they could make quick work of taking out Violette O’Reilly. It was really a two-man job, but he had gotten stuck with that new guy, Juan Cortez. He didn’t know anything about him, and he wasn’t about to trust him with the details of this off-the-books wet work.
After describing the sex games on deck and the other goings on aboard to his partner, he said, “Miguel, I’ve been watching that violinist bitch from New York, but I haven’t had an opportunity to get close to her. She is never alone, the crew watches her like hawks, and her boyfriend is on her like white on rice. We’ll be back in Miami on Saturday. The assignment will be over, and I’ll have to return to Rio. I don’t want to give up on this because the money is too good to let it go to someone e
lse. I’m thinking of throwing her overboard or possibly grabbing one of the tenders and taking her off the ship to dispose of out of sight of the boat.”
“Just keep your eyes open. I’m sure the right opportunity will present itself, my friend. I wish I’d been able to get aboard to help. What’s the story with that new guy Cortez?”
“I can’t tell. He doesn’t have much to say, just does his job—which is making this even harder for me.”
* * * *
Juan Miguel Cortez-da Silva, a lieutenant in the NCB or National Central Bureau of Interpol, the International Criminal Police in Brazil, was standing quietly around the corner in the passageway listening to his “partner,” Manuel Montenegro, describe his plans for Violette O’Reilly. While he was not on board specifically because of the attacks against Violette in Rio originating from New York, it was definitely one of his priorities. The Russian Mafia was known to have strong connections in Brazil. He wasn’t sure the plot against Violette was Russian Mafia sanctioned. He thought it might be an independent action as there hadn’t been any “chatter” about it. His superiors in Interpol had placed him in the Blackweiler organization for the purpose of infiltrating one of the major Rio criminal gangs believed to operate partially through Blackweiler and several other security companies that gave them entrée into the most exclusive events and locations. It looked like Violette might be in for a rough ride, and he hoped to be in a position to help her if possible.
Chapter Twenty
The Golden Dolphin, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean, March 14, 2014 – Friday Evening, Day Twenty-Three of the Cruise
Violette's Vibrato [Golden Dolphin 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 13