Within the ship’s gym, Zack and Jackie had their shoes off while on the mats as they blocked each other’s kicks and punches with amazing speed and aggression. Despite all that had happened, Zack remained focused while sparring with Jackie. She was aware his heart wasn’t into it as much as usual. Given the opportunity to spar with Jackie, Zack was usually aggressive yet playful. For him, it was more like foreplay to some sexual fantasy she’d never understand. Today, he was just working out aggression, which was unusual. She expected some sexual innuendoes, but he just wasn’t in the proper mood. It almost worried her. He offered no challenge and didn’t seek any from her. After nearly an hour of unleashing punishment on each other, Zack sank against the wall while breathing heavily then slid down it. Jackie crawled across the mat and sat alongside him, leaning her back against the wall. He handed her a towel while both worked on slowing their heart rate and breathing after their intense sparring match. He cast a quick glance at her.
“I’m not hallucinating,” he informed her.
“I believe you.”
He eyed her and appeared surprised. “You do?” Zack released an uneasy laugh. “Everyone else thinks I’m crazy. Why would you think differently?”
Jackie took his hand in hers and held it up, revealing his scraped knuckles. “You gave someone a beating,” she replied then released his hand.
He eyed his knuckles then allowed his head to fall back against the wall. “I’ll admit; my methods are unorthodox, and I lack compassion at times, but no one’s ever questioned my intel before. When I reported back, it was taken at face value. I know my job and I do it well.”
“Yes,” she replied. “Your knowledge and skills are legendary.” She inhaled deeply and eyed him. “I don’t suppose you got a look at any of their nametags.”
“Their name badges only have first names,” he replied. “There was a Don and a Sigmund. I didn’t see the other two. Although, they were all galley crewmen. I did take note of their insignias.”
“They worked in the kitchen?”
“That’s what galley means, Jackie.”
“I’m familiar with the term,” she muttered then sank into thought. “We reach port in the morning. That doesn’t give us much time to figure this out.”
“If they aren’t legitimate crewmen, they’ll probably get off the ship with us,” Zack informed her. “Katya was convinced they were sent to assassinate someone at the wedding. I think they’re after Sal.”
Jackie tensed and stared at Zack. “Katya?” she asked with surprise then gently cleared her throat. “You mean your Russian spy girlfriend? Are you saying she’s onboard?”
“Yeah, I ran into her last night,” he replied and turned on his hip to face her. His look was serious. “What if Pinto’s stalker isn’t really interested in her? He could be behind this entire assassination plot to kill her father.”
Jackie shifted slightly then attempted a smile. “Then we need to keep an eye on Sal at the wedding,” she replied. “I’m sure you can manage that without being seen.”
“Of course,” he confirmed without hesitation. “So you believe me, right?”
“We don’t have any proof that anyone wants to kill Sal,” Jackie informed him. “This may have nothing to do with Sal or Pinto.” She hesitated while staring into his eyes, attempting to remove any indications that she didn’t believe him. “If you run into Katya again, I’d like to talk to her.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Zack announced and seemed to tense. “She has a terrible temper, and she can be somewhat territorial.”
“Territorial? Of what?”
“She’s a little jealous of our relationship,” he admitted. “She knows we’re close, and I think she has a problem with it. She’s not exactly stable. I don’t know that I want you around her.”
Jackie shifted slightly then smiled while nodding. “Okay, if you think it’s best.”
Chapter Nineteen
Pinto stretched out on one of the lounge chairs at the pool on the ship’s stern later that afternoon. Although she wore a conservative black bikini, it still revealed plenty of leg and cleavage, gaining attention from other male passengers. As she soaked in the sun, Sal sat at the poolside bar with a few acquaintances and laughed over drinks. Beck leaned against the alcove near the outside stairs. His eyes remained hidden behind dark sunglasses to keep anyone from noticing his over-attentive stare at the sunbathing beauty. He finally fidgeted and frowned, giving up. Beck turned to leave and nearly collided with Corbin. Beck took a step back and maintained his calm demeanor despite his surprise.
Corbin grinned and looked past him toward poolside. “Considering the sausage fest on that side of the pool, I’m assuming you’re checking out the redhead.” He nodded his head with approval while giving Pinto a lengthy once over then met Beck’s gaze. “Nice.”
“Not that I hadn’t noticed,” Beck casually announced with little emotion, “but I was actually trying to place the two men at the poolside bar. The bald man is Sal Romano, but I don’t know who the other man is.”
Corbin chuckled in his throat. “That’s Matt Whitehouse,” he informed him. “Father-of-the-bride.”
Beck cast a quick glance toward the distant bar then looked back at Corbin with a bewildered look. “I thought the bride’s name was something Italian.”
“Agosti?” Corbin questioned then grinned. “Yeah, his ex-wife married Bruno Agosti, and he adopted Whitehouse’s daughter. Some real bad blood there.”
“Why did he consent to let Agosti adopt his daughter then?” Beck asked.
“You are out of the mafia loop,” Corbin teased. “Rumor has it Bruno Agosti had the goods on Whitehouse. The only way he’d keep from going to prison or worse was to allow Agosti to adopt his little girl.”
“But wasn’t there a son?” Beck questioned. “Lucas or something.”
“Luke? Yeah, he’s here with his father,” Corbin replied. “The redhead insulted him half an hour ago, and he took off with his tail between his legs.”
“Agosti didn’t want to adopt Luke?”
“No,” Corbin practically gasped. “Luke is a few years older than his sister. He wanted to live with his father after the divorce. He wanted nothing to do with Agosti or his mother for that matter. He’s devoted to his sister though.” He held back his grin. “Of course, everything changed once Bruno Agosti got himself whacked. The wife too. Now the daughter is back in his life.”
“Almost sad I’m going to miss this wedding,” Beck announced then grinned. “Sounds like it could be explosive.”
“Yeah, someone’s going to lose their head, that’s for sure,” Corbin teased then laughed. “Come on. I want you to meet the big man himself. My boss, Mr. Banks.”
“Okay, sure.”
“You’ll need to dress up a little,” Corbin informed him. “They won’t let you into the high-stakes section of the casino dressed like that.”
“Why don’t I change and meet you there in twenty?” Beck suggested.
“You’re on.”
Once Corbin walked away, Beck removed his cell phone and walked along deck, putting distance between him and the pool. He waited for Gil to answer his cell phone.
“Gil, were you aware that Matt Whitehouse and Nelson Banks are onboard?” He listened then nodded. “Yeah, and they’re all going to the wedding.” He stopped near the railing. “Bruno Agosti was step-father to the bride.” He paused and listened to Gil on the other end. “Yeah, tell me about it. Can you get some of the guys into the high-stakes area of the casino?” He hesitated then grinned. “Meet me there in fifteen minutes.” He disconnected his call and hurried along deck.
†
Bogart stepped out of the bathroom within Jackie’s suite and straightened his expensive jacket while grinning proudly. The country boy cleaned up nicely.
“I look pretty sharp,” he announced then checked himself out in the mirror.
Monroe sat on the sofa with his temple resting against his fist and shook
his head with irritation. “Try not to ruin my threads,” he remarked.
Monroe and Jackie were also dressed for the occasion. Monroe wore an expensive suit with a brilliant red, multi-colored vest while Jackie wore an elegant black dress that barely made it to her knees and offered plenty of cleavage.
“Don’t forget your tie, double-o-negative,” Jackie remarked and handed him an expensive silk tie.
Bogart looked at it and frowned. “I never could tie one of these.”
“Not surprising,” Monroe muttered.
Jackie took the tie from him then glared at Monroe. “Meet Beck in the casino and tell him we’re running late,” she announced. “I don’t need him calling again.”
“Fine,” Monroe groaned then stood and left.
Jackie stood before Bogart and put the tie around his neck. As she worked on adjusting the tie, Bogart snuck a peek down her dress and hid his boyish grin.
“You really rock that dress,” he teased. “I guess it’s a good thing Beck paired you with Monroe and not me. Know what I mean?”
Jackie shifted uncomfortably while tying his tie. He again looked down her dress and grinned. Jackie took a quick step back and glared at him.
“Stop that,” she ordered with hostility.
He stared at her with surprise. “What? I’m the only one not allowed to ogle you?” Bogart grunted with humor. “Sort of hard to do, considering I caught a peek of you naked once. I love telling that story. Never gets old.”
Jackie flinched and then ran her fingers vigorously through her hair. She finally met his gaze. He stared back at her and his mood immediately changed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked with a strange look on his face. “Was it something I said?”
Jackie immediately tensed while thinking of the best way to bring up the uncomfortable conversation. “Ross recognized your mother from that picture I’d found,” she informed him while fidgeting. “It turns out your mother knew my father’s team before you were born. When I asked Zack about your mother--” She hesitated and held her breath. “He told me she partied with them during their week on shore leave.”
Bogart stared at her a moment with a baffled look. “You mean--?”
Jackie exhaled deeply. “Your mother slept with my father, Ross, and Zack at some point during their shore leave.” She again fidgeted. “Less than a year later, you were born.”
Bogart stared at her with his mouth hanging open. He seemed at a loss for words as he processed the information. “You mean one of them could be my father?” His eyes suddenly widened as he took a step away from her. “You could be my sister?” He suddenly cringed. “Ah, hell! I saw you naked once! That’s just wrong!”
“Yeah, so could you refrain from looking down my shirt and making lewd comments?”
He held his hands up in the air defensively. “Consider it done!” Bogart lowered his hands then stared at her while taking in the new information. “Is that why you were asking all those questions about my birthday and my mother?”
Jackie nodded.
His look suddenly changed as hostility took over. “You were sitting on this information for some time now and never said anything?”
“I’m sorry,” she replied while running her fingers through her hair. “I didn’t know how to bring it up. I certainly wasn’t going to ask Zack or Ross so they could either confirm or deny it. Without a test, we’ll never know.”
“Then let’s do it,” Bogart announced boldly with conviction. “Let’s take the test. If you and I are brother and sister, it’ll show up, right?”
“I think that’s how it works.”
“Then I want to do it.”
“Are you sure?”
Bogart stared at her as his anxiety faded away. He offered a warm smile. “Finding out you’re my sister would be one of the greatest moments of my life. I always wanted a sister, especially one like you.” He then considered the comment and eyed her with a curious look. “Is that why you’ve been defending me so much lately?”
Jackie smirked then straightened his tie. “We’d better get going.”
Chapter Twenty
Just outside the high-stakes casino, Gil and Darth stood near the doorway while talking with the casino sentry. It was his job to ensure those who entered the high-stakes area were properly dressed, the appropriate age, and looked wealthy enough to afford the high minimums. They joked around and had a good time while simultaneously allowing Kirk to slip in, now miraculously changed into a waiter’s uniform. Where he located one to fit his massive frame was an interesting question. Beck and Monroe had already found their way inside, dressed the part and accepted by the wealthy crowd. Jackie approached the high-stakes area while linked onto Bogart’s arm, despite the premise that she was traveling with Monroe. The sentry on duty gave them a polite nod, assuming they could afford high-stakes gambling.
The handsome couple crossed the room and casually looked around. The high-stakes casino was surprisingly full; indicating many of the passengers fell into a higher tax bracket. Bogart maintained his charming grin while casing the place.
“I hate ties,” he muttered.
“Quit whining,” Jackie scoffed through her teeth without breaking her smile.
Beck and Monroe were already with Corbin near one of the empty poker tables. Judging by the look on Monroe’s face, he had a difficult time pretending he was happy to see Corbin.
“So who is this guy?” Bogart asked softly as they worked the room.
“I’ve never met him,” Jackie announced while casting several looks in their direction, “but I’ve heard enough unpleasant stories about him to know I wouldn’t care for him.”
“So basically he’s Zack.”
“Mind your manners,” Jackie scolded without looking at him.
“Sorry,” Bogart remarked then grinned boyishly. “So he’s Dad.”
Jackie eyed Bogart and the cheap grin on his face. She groaned softly and shook her head. “I’m putting my money on Ross being your father,” she remarked. “You two have the same charming disposition.”
“Was that a backhanded compliment?”
“It wasn’t any sort of compliment,” she muttered.
Kirk signaled them with a look from across the room, catching their attention. He stood behind Nelson Banks at one of the blackjack tables and indicated the man with a single look.
“That’s Banks,” Jackie announced softly.
“Tables a bit crowded,” Bogart remarked as they made their way closer.
Kirk tilted his tray and spilled a drink on the man sitting alongside Nelson. The man jumped up and cursed at Kirk. When the man saw Kirk’s size, he controlled his hostility. Kirk apologized and handed him a napkin. The man collected his chips and stormed away. Bogart pulled Jackie along a little faster and claimed the vacant seat. Kirk politely wiped the spilled drink from the seat and the padded table bumper. Bogart grinned at Kirk.
“Scotch on the rocks,” Bogart announced and gave Kirk a polite slap on the shoulder.
Kirk sneered then forced a smile. “Certainly, sir.” He then looked at Jackie. “Anything for the lady?”
“Chardonnay,” she replied pleasantly.
Kirk managed a polite smile then walked away. Jackie knew they’d probably never see those drinks. While Bogart played blackjack, loose and free with Monroe’s money at one-hundred dollars a hand, he made small talk with Nelson. True to form, the conman Bogart was a hit. Corbin approached their table and spoke into Nelson’s ear. He finished his hand and left with Corbin. His wife took his seat and continued playing in his place. She was quick to make small talk with Bogart, and he was willing to play along.
“And is this your wife?” Emily asked, indicating Jackie.
“Her? No, that’s just my sister,” Bogart announced, practically waving her off.
Emily smiled as her interest increased.
Bogart suavely took her hand in his and admired her ruby and diamond tennis bracelet. “That is exquisite,” he announced whi
le grinning his approval as he lightly turned her wrist to admire the bracelet.
She leaned closer to him, squeezing her cleavage together and practically displayed it in his face, revealing the matching necklace. His attention strayed to the necklace and then the ample cleavage below.
Jackie watched Bogart ogle Emily’s bosom and immediately looked away. “Oh, boy,” she muttered, knowing where this was leading.
As she looked across the room, she saw Gil and Monroe now talking with Corbin and Nelson Banks. The couple near them caught her attention. Jackie’s expression suddenly dropped as she stared at Dr. Sherman with an attractive woman in her mid-thirties attached to his arm. Jackie leaned closer to Bogart’s ear.
“I think we have a situation,” she whispered. “I see an old friend.”
Bogart glanced across the room, but Jackie was already gone. He shook his head. “Jesus, she’s turning into Zack.”
Jackie approached Beck and Monroe while they talked with their new acquaintance, Nelson Banks. Jackie linked onto Monroe’s arm and played the role of his trophy wife. Oddly enough, he didn’t even flinch, instead, just patted her hand on his arm.
“Monroe and I would be happy to help out at your resort this weekend,” Beck announced, surprising Jackie, although she didn’t respond.
Monroe attempted a smile but it came off more like a smirk. He obviously wasn’t thrilled with Beck’s new plan to stalk his girlfriend either.
“That’s wonderful,” Nelson announced cheerfully. “You can meet us at my private dock once we reach shore.”
“If it’s okay with you,” Beck announced, “we’d prefer renting our own helicopter and do a little fly-by of the place. Get a lay of the land, so to speak.”
“Excellent idea,” Nelson cheerfully replied. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon at the resort.”
Beck nodded then watched Nelson walk away. Corbin grinned, patted Beck on the back, and then hurried after Nelson.
“What was that about?” Jackie suddenly demanded. “I thought we were heading home when we reached Columbia.”
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