by AA Lee
“How long will this cruise take?” she asked and slid her arms around his neck, pressing her body into his.
“A few days,” he answered and laced his fingers through her hair. “Then we wait for the investigation to close so that I can move forward with Bonadio.”
He ignored the steps he heard around the plane and blocked them both with the back of his dark suit. He suddenly kissed her, stifling her surprised squeak with his tongue as he indulged. She did not resist. Instead, her hands crept to his face. Her fingers mimicked the movements of his jaw. Her lips willingly accepted the assault to her mouth.
He liked to show her affection. Ella basked in the attention. He wanted to go further. He kept envisioning her skirt to her waist, her panties off and her sitting on top. It was dangerous to think that way on a plane. Angelo had to pull away before his thoughts became the attendant’s next show. He smiled to himself. He did not actually care who saw, but he knew Ella would.
“You see what you do to me?” Angelo forced himself to breathe away his untimely lust. He pulled away from her body, but his arm remained firmly around her back. “That’s all right. We will finish this later.”
The slight blush on her cheeks humored him. She was clearly thinking the same as him. Ella’s eyes looked from him to his belt and then quickly at the wall.
“We are about to land, sir,” the attendant approached again. It was as if she had waited for them to compose themselves before letting them know. He looked forward to the few days with Ella where they would not be disturbed.
***
The wind blew without mercy as they exited the door leading off the plane. With commercial airliners parked at their respective gates, Angelo grabbed Ella’s arm, determined not to lose her down the stairs. Jim and Ray also exited the plane behind them. He could not be too cautious and brought them for security. Rafa preferred to stay in Miami and handle matters at home.
A driver waved to Angelo and waited for them on the ground next to a limousine. Ella stepped in first with Angelo behind. Before he closed the door, he looked up at Jim for a second. “You will arrive before I do. Have those packets that Rafa gave you ready before I get there. We will see you shortly.”
“What packets?” Ella asked as Angelo sat back. “Do you have business to take care of?” she asked with disappointment when he pulled her to the side of his body.
“I hadn’t planned to do anything on this trip, but since we were coming, Rafa thought it would be a good time to approach the owner about an investment.” Ella did not like what he said and looked away, but he could not help it. The exchange would be brief.
Ella stayed quiet on the ride to the port. When they stopped, two employees met them as they pulled in to unload. With only two suitcases and the same number of carry-ons, the man who unloaded left within a minute as another led them both up the ramp. They were able to bypass the long check-in lines and followed the attendant directly to the ship. There were benefits to reserving a suite.
Ella stopped on the top. The ship had 14 decks and 2,500 rooms. The Sea Empress definitely astounded her. She stared in amazement at the interior. Angelo was also impressed. Winding staircases stood in front. He could see the ocean straight through the glasslike lobby floor. The pink tinted lighting of the chandeliers fused with the blue of the ocean underneath and created a shade of violet. Whoever pulled off the idea on such a large ship must have been a genius.
Ella started to walk again when Angelo gently seized her arm. He was not going to lose her on this large of a ship. Her heels echoed as they walked through the lobby and back out onto the deck. They were some of the first guests to arrive. That was the way he planned it. Angelo wanted a few minutes to enjoy her company before the waves of other passengers came aboard.
Ten minutes passed before he stopped again. Angelo leaned against the rail and looked down at the opposite side of the ocean from where the anxious passengers lined. “Will this do for you?” he asked and looked over at Ella.
“It’s unbelievable,” she said and slid her arms around his waist from behind. “But I would have been happy anywhere you would have taken me.”
Her remark made him grin. She could not see his smile but she could feel his arms clamp over hers. She relaxed him. He felt at ease with her embrace around his waist. “Well, aren’t you the ideal bride for me,” he said. The happiness she brought to his life trumped the trouble she might have caused. He could not think of a single other woman who would have accepted him for who he was.
“This ship has a series of performances I thought you might like to attend. They have musicals, ballets, stage shows, and comedies.” He paused. “I’m not sure how I feel about the opera, though. If you want to go, I will,” he grumbled but she laughed. Her laugh surprised him, until he considered why she had laughed. She probably would ask to see the opera just to get on his nerves.
“Is something funny?” Angelo pulled her around in front of him and held onto her cheeks with his palms as she tried to subdue the smile on her face.
“No, nothing at all,” she said and smiled anyway.
“You can swim, can’t you?” He looked down at the water and then back at her.
“Really, you are going to throw me overboard?” She smirked with her question.
He glanced sideways and yanked her hand with a jolt as he began walking again. “Our room won’t be ready for a couple of more hours, so we might as well enjoy one of these restaurants while we wait.”
“How about that lounge?” Ella pointed to a sign that said Jasmina’s.
Angelo did not answer; instead, he simply led her where she wanted to go. The place was a quiet dance hall with small round tables. The walnut finish of the furniture absorbed the dull lighting and made the place seem dark. Soft music equaled the atmosphere. Angelo could easily relax here.
“I like it,” he said and waited for a hostess to greet them.
“Good afternoon. A table for two?” she asked.
“Yes,” Angelo nodded. “I prefer a table by the stage.” He would not have usually asked for one so close to the dance floor, but they were one of two couples in the lounge for now. After they ordered, he took out his phone and turned it on. He might as well get this quick exchange out of the way so Ella would not dread it happening. “It’s me,” he said. “I need you to track down Miguel and bring those packets to the lounge named Jasmina’s. It’s on the lobby floor and out on the deck. I am there now.”
When he ended his call, Ella was fidgeting in her purse, most likely a cover to hide her displeasure over the business he did. He knew how it must look to her. He watched his mother have that same look when his father left for business. This was not the same as that. It was merely an exchange of convenience and not the reason he brought her here.
“Ella?” he called. She did not acknowledge her name and provoked him to reach over and snap the two ends of her purse shut. That gained her attention. “This will be the only time I talk to anyone here, all right?” She sighed and started to open her mouth when Jim and Ray walked to the table. Ella stared at them as though they were strangers. Angelo realized that he never formally introduced them. She probably still labeled them as the cheaters during the poker match.
“Ella, these men are two of my highest ranking members. They are brothers named Diego and Raimundo, but go by Jim and Ray.”
Jim was taller than Ray, but they both had the same brown eyes and matching short hair combed back. Jim also had a birthmark on his right temple and some hair on his chin while Ray remained clean-shaven without any distinguishing marks. The brothers nodded at her in passing; then Jim handed Angelo two large brown packets.
“Did you find Miguel?” Angelo asked.
“Yes,” Jim said with an unusually deep voice. “Miguel said there was a matter to handle and he would be here in ten minutes.”
Angelo rubbed his chin and looked at the envelopes. “That’s all I need for now, but I want you to stay available and make sure your phones are on.” As
they left, Angelo peeled the rubber band off one of the envelopes and pulled out two stacks of paperwork. He set one down and skimmed through the second. Rafa certainly did his research when typing the documents. He did as well as a lawyer would.
On the third to the last page, two men with tan complexions approached. Angelo stood to acknowledge one of them and extended his hand. “It’s good to see you again, Miguel,” he said.
“You too, Angelo,” Miguel shook but did not sit; instead he rubbed the back of his head, chafing his fingers against his short brown hair. “Is it safe to talk?” He looked toward Ella and crossed his arms. Angelo knew Miguel well. He was known to trust almost no one outside of family.
“This is my wife. Nobody knows we’re married yet, so I would appreciate if it stayed that way.” Angelo told him the truth as a show of faith.
Miguel slowly nodded. He stared at Ella and then him. He understood what the discloser of their marriage was intended to do – gain trust. “It doesn’t benefit me to tell your business,” he said and sat down while leaving the other man to stand. “So I’m told that you are interested in investing in my father’s cruise lines. Why are you interested in them?”
Angelo finished looking through the last three sheets and set them in front of Miguel. “I am impressed with the advancements of your ships. I like how you took the idea of the invisible floors from the smaller cruise ships and added it to yours. That idea is new for ships of this size. I look at it as a worthy investment of my money. I won’t hide my true intentions, though,” Angelo said. Miguel was a smart man. He would automatically know there was another reason. “I want to establish good relations with your father—and you since you will take over ownership soon. I think it could benefit us both in the future.”
Miguel picked up the paperwork and skimmed the first page. “Is this the proposal?”
“Yes, it is,” Angelo replied and sipped on his glass of wine as Miguel flipped to the second page.
“A half a billion!” He glanced at Angelo and back down at the sheet. Neither said anything else until Miguel stacked the sheets back together and tucked them under his arm. “I will have an answer for you by the end of the trip.” Miguel stood and did not shake Angelo’s hand before he left.
Angelo did not expect Miguel to give him an answer right then. He liked it better that way. If he did accept the proposal, Angelo felt a lot better about investing in someone who did not jump at the first lump sum of money thrown at him. He liked his connections to think before making a decision.
Angelo stood up and held out his hand to Ella. “I am finished here. Would you like to dance while we wait for our food?” She seemed completely taken by his question. She looked at him as if someone else had taken over his body. He found her stricken expression slightly insulting. “Well, if you don’t want to dance,” he said and started to sit back down.
“No, I do.” She smiled and pushed out her chair. He held out his hand to her again. This time, she accepted without any hesitation at all. He guessed she did not want to miss the rare opportunity to dance with him.
The music played a soft tune. Angelo found it low and pleasing; perfect to enjoy a slow dance with her. He loved the way her hands locked around his neck and how her cheek laid against his chest. It almost made him forget about the life.
“I have something for you,” he whispered as they moved.
“What is it?” she asked and leaned away from his body to look at him.
He brushed the hair away from her face and pulled her head back down. She would have to wonder about the gift until later that day. “I’ll have to show you in the room when we can finally check in,” he said. “It has something to do with what you asked me last night.”
CHAPTER 50
Ella loved having dinner with him. She was not too happy about Miguel interrupting, but she decided to let it go. Sometimes matters like that were bound to happen. As long as she had Angelo, it was not a big deal.
She thought he was leading her to the suite he had reserved. Ella really wanted to know what gift he got for her; instead, they walked to the front of the ship and through a large set of doors. There were pictures of musicians beside the ticket counter. Advertisements of a symphony decorated the walls. It was sweet of him to bring her to a symphony. Part of her was surprised that he listened to instrumental music, until she remembered the piano. She was happy that he could enjoy these things with her away from the group.
He seemed annoyed with all the people who gathered in the amphitheater. They were walking and shuffling to their seats, paying no attention to who might be walking behind them. They bumped her and Angelo several times before Angelo entered another door with a separate set of stairs. It was quiet there. A red velvet carpet led to a private balcony on top. Inside was a single curved sofa large enough to fit four. Workers closed a curtain behind them as soon as they walked out.
Ella was stunned. She gazed down from the gold rail that protected her from the long drop below. The stage in front looked amazing from so high in the air. She glanced back at Angelo, who had already settled on the sofa and draped his arm over the top. He left her to her wonder for a few minutes before he leaned forward and wrapped his hand around her arm.
“Why don’t you sit with me now? The show is about to start.”
Twenty minutes in, Angelo closed his eyes while Ella watched with fascination as the conductor directed the orchestra’s sections, including violins, harps, and flutes. The music absolutely moved her, mesmerizing her soul to the rhythm of the melody. She felt like it put her in a trance. The musicians’ clothes also charmed her with their matching patterns and varied colors. Each set of eyes showed passion as their hearts guided their fingers to move. They deserved every bit of applause when they ended. Ella thought it was over but realized that it was an intermission when some people stayed in their seats. She did not want to sit and stood at the rail again.
She watched as the guests started to exit, most likely wanting to purchase drinks or souvenirs. Then something caught her eye from a lower balcony diagonal from where she stood. After looking closer, she recognized one of the men as Miguel. She moved her head to see who was with him but she could not make out the second man’s face. He was standing behind Miguel with his back facing her. Then she saw the reflection. The man behind Miguel was pointing a gun at his back.
“Angelo,” she whispered behind her but turned back around to watch the two men again.
“What is it?” he asked. He was not going to like what she saw. He did not expect any trouble on the ship, but her worried expression caused him to lean forward and look where she gazed. “Shit,” he mumbled and pulled out a gun from his boot. Ella noticed how his shoulders instantly became stiff. “We just can’t get away from it, can we?” he questioned but needed no answer and started to push the curtain open.
“Wait,” she said and stood up, grabbing the sleeve of his coat.
With the gun ready to shoot, Angelo placed his fingers around her cheek and grabbed her hand. “Come with me but stay behind me.
Ella barely breathed as she followed Angelo, entering into the balcony where Miguel had frozen in place. Angelo peeked through the curtain and waited patiently for the man to turn around before jerking the curtain open. Angelo started to pull the trigger when Miguel aimed his own gun at the man.
“How dare you turn against me?” Miguel said and pulled the trigger as soon as the man’s attention focused on the distraction of the curtain. “You were like my brother and now you will own the sea just as you wished.” He pulled the trigger and left the man’s body to fall to the floor. Then Miguel closed his eyes, seeking pardon from someone, though it did not seem to bother Angelo. Miguel had no other choice but to shoot the man. Angelo would have done the same.
Miguel let out a breath and looked at the body and back at Angelo. “I won’t talk about specifics but thank you.” He breathed in deep again. “About that proposal earlier—”
“Yes.” Angelo stopped long enoug
h to hear what he had to say.
“Consider your offer accepted as a show of gratitude for my life.”
Angelo nodded and shook the hand Miguel held out to him. That shake was a sign of more than an agreement. It was also a show of trust. Now that Miguel knew where he stood, communication between them should be smooth.
***
The rest of the performance did not matter, and Angelo escorted Ella back to the room to wind down. He instantly fell to the recliner. There was a lovely view of the ocean from the chair. He was probably used to the view, but she could never get enough. At least he could enjoy some quiet time to himself. She hoped he would tell her exactly what was on his mind.
Ella looked down at him with his hand around his head. What could she do to make him feel better? He looked like he was having a battle with his own thoughts. “Are you all right?” she asked. She knew he was not all right. She was trying to open him up to conversation.
Angelo roughly grabbed her hand and pulled her on top of him. His arms folded around her waist with a slightly restricting hold. His change of mood was drastic. She could not figure it out.
“I’m okay,” he said and gave no other answer to her question.
“All right,” she replied and hugged him just as tightly. What more could she offer? Maybe he would feel comforted in her arms. She wanted to give him that much.
Angelo took a deep breath and removed one of his arms from around her as he reached inside his coat. “This is for you,” he said. It was the other envelope that Jim had given him during dinner. Angelo leaned forward and stood, taking her with him. He motioned her to the dining table and took the envelope back out of her hands. He slid off the rubber band and took out another stack of papers. Then he laid them in front of her.
“It needs some work, but I thought you might want to run another restaurant of your own. I have a team of men who will listen to your ideas and make it however you please.”