I’m handed a delicate flute of perfectly chilled champagne as we’re taken on a tour of the boat. It’s for my benefit I assume as the others have been here before.
There’s an aft deck with a big round table that can seat ten. The tabletop is already set for dinner with gold chargers, white plates, and bouquets of fresh, colorful tulips. We stroll through the cabins where we’re shown our room. Nick and I will share a stately suite with a king bed, a bathroom housing a bathtub that could seat us all.
We make our way up the next story to the sun deck. There’s a hot tub, full and bubbling, steam escaping into the open air. Emily tells me it’s a magical place to relax at night, below the blanket of stars.
We’re seated on a couch that’s shaped round to fit the bow of the boat. Emily brings trays of fresh fruit, cheeses, and meats. The food displayed on the large white platters like artwork on a canvas. My champagne is refilled as I’m told the staff is below, unpacking my bags for me.
“Really?” I blurt out.
“Yes. And please let us know if you’d like anything pressed for this evening.” Emily gives me a small smile, as if she understands my overexcited state.
Adrianna saves me from making another blunder. “She’d like the red dress steamed. And her bathing suits laid out on the bed. Thank you, Emily.”
I gaze in awe at my best friend. She’s sitting ramrod straight, legs delicately crossed. She has the stem of her glass between her fingers. Her hair blows behind her as if she’s shooting a commercial.
I straighten my spine. Attempt to smooth my tangled curls—humidity be damned—and sip my drink. Try to look elegant as I lift a triangle of cheese from the platter. I quickly forget my manners as I taste the food. My hand goes over my mouth. “Oh, my gawd, that’s amazing.”
We share a laugh. Adrianna relaxes a bit. Uncrosses her legs. Grabs a piece of meat and wraps it round a slice of cheese. Stuffs it in her mouth and sighs, “So good.”
Some things never change.
As we eat we watch the deck crew run around, untying ropes, shouting instructions to one another. A few moments later, they’re all back on board. I peer over the bow to watch as the anchor chain wraps around a white pole, signaling our departure. The boat rumbles to life and we glide out onto the turquoise waters.
It’s a dream.
The wind blows through my hair as I watch the shore disappearing... Seeing the beautiful towns at a distance is like reading the pages of a fairytale. As we draw further from them, the stone buildings set in the hills look like miniatures.
Adrianna and I go below to change. I walk into my room and find all my suits laying out on the bed on display. Not a wrinkle on the fabric or the bedcovers. My dress hangs on the front of the closet door. Pressed and ready for tonight.
I open the drawers of the dressers. My clothing is neatly folded in stacks. In order of color.
I glide into the bathroom and find my cosmetics neatly arranged. Fresh towels have magically appeared since our tour, hung so the emblem of the boat is proudly front and center. The end of the toilet paper roll has even been folded into a neat triangle.
They’ve thought of everything. As long as I’m on this boat, I’ll not have to lift a finger. After taking care of myself for so many years, I allow myself to relax and enjoy.
I slip into the turquoise high-waisted bikini. We only have about an hour of sun left and I’m going to make the most of it. My gaze flutters over my curves. I’ve never shown so much skin in public in my life.
I look damn good.
I’m on a super yacht floating in the middle of the ocean. And I’m with my best friend and a man who cares about me so much, he’d do anything to protect me. The thought of the men who killed my father comes into my mind and I find I’m at peace with the fact that Nick is taking them out. But I don’t want to dwell on it.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Less worry—more champagne.
As if on cue, Adrianna comes prancing into my room. She’s wearing a tastefully cut one-piece made of gold fabric but when she does a twirl for me, I find it quite revealing in the back. She laughs at the look on my face. Feigning innocence, she says, “What’s the issue?”
“I can see your whole bum, Adrianna.”
“Dante picked it out.” She gives herself a playful slap on the ass that makes me blush. “I can’t help it if he’s an ass man.”
“Makes two of them,” I mumble.
She gives me a knowing look but doesn’t comment. She’s comfortable over sharing but knows when it comes to discussing my romantic life, I’m a locked gate.
We make our way up to the third level. The boys are laid out on a big soft pad that stretches across the sundeck, their long tanned muscled limbs stretched out, absorbing the late afternoon sun. They’ve changed into simple black board shorts and look like a pair of models ready for a photoshoot.
Next to these three, I feel like a snowman. Round and white and completely out of place in the Mediterranean sun. Nick stretches, yawning. He’s not yet seen me and I debate running back down to my room and wrapping my body in a kimono.
Too late—he’s seen me. And his face absolutely lights up. His gaze travels down my body, making my skin flush with heat. He reaches out to me with a growl. “You look incredible. Come here.”
I laugh as he pulls me onto the pad, all my bits and pieces jiggling as I go. We lie down on our backs, we four, and watch the world go by, the soft sound of the waves lapping the sides of the boat.
Paradise.
Chapter Eight
Nicholas
The past few days have been the best of my life. We begin each morning by jumping off the yacht and swimming in the Med. We breakfast on the deck of the boat, then spend the day playing; riding jet skis to private coves, picnicking on the shores of the beach. The evenings we spend dining and dancing beneath the stars, floating on the open seas.
There’s no work talk. Just Hannah and I and our two best friends, having fun. Safe and sound where no one can reach us.
Today, this part of the trip will end. We are traveling to the Parish, where the next leg of our journey begins. When the island comes into view, I can’t lie to myself. I feel a deep pang of homesickness tugging through my chest.
Hannah was right about me. When she first saw my rowhome in the Village, she told me I had one foot out the door. And it’s true. My body and mind may have moved to New York, but a part of my soul remained here.
The turquoise waters shimmer, forming waves and splashing upon the sandy beach in foamy white peaks. As we near, the houses come into sight. Massive white homes line the shore. Tall and proud and built to last. The sun warms my skin. I deeply inhale the sea air.
I’ve missed this place more than I realized.
But people mean more to me than places, and Dante needed me. When he told me he was off to the Village, I knew he’d be requesting my presence. And I immediately committed.
I’m happy to give my service to Dante. Because I owe him my life. Everything I have, everything my family has, we have because he deemed me worthy. Choosing me for the Brotherhood all those years ago.
Another lifetime.
Hannah stands beside me at the bow, her hair blowing back in the breeze. Her eyes are impossibly wide as she takes it all in. “How did you ever manage to tear yourself away from this place? It’s so...”
She, like me, finds no words to do the Parish justice. This island is one of the most breathtaking places in the world.
I sense Dante approach to my left. He slings his arm over my shoulder. It rests heavy around me, reminding me of our bond. He breathes one word, and I know he feels as I do. “Home.”
Brothers wait on the dock, ready to assist us in securing the boat for the evening. Deck hands scramble around, tossing lines, winding and unwinding long black ropes. I hear a call for an anchor drop.
I’m ready to step onto the land where I joined the Brotherhood. Take care of our business, then relax. Eat
delicate food, drink wine. Chat and laugh and catch up with family, Hannah by my side. Then take her in my arms and carry her over the threshold of a bedroom in one of our white stone mansions, the sea breeze blowing through the opened window.
We’re making our way down the winding stairs of the boat. We reach the main deck. I take Hannah’s hand in mine. Give it a gentle squeeze.
The moment she looks up at me and smiles, I hear the first shouts.
Instinct takes over and I’ve got my arms around her, turning her from the bridge that leads to the dock, pulling her further into the boat. Dante has Adrianna and is doing the same. He follow me and we run through the doors that lead to the staff quarters and galley.
“Stay right by me,” I tell Hannah.
“What’s going on? What’s happening?”
I’ll never lie to Hannah but I often can’t share the whole truth in order to protect her. “No idea but I heard something, and we just need to be sure it’s safe before we go onto land.” I don’t tell her that the shout I heard was the word sozo, code in the Brotherhood for keep safe—danger.
Brothers have boarded the ship behind us. They gather in the galley, speaking quickly in Greek—a language neither of the girls know. Dante and I are brought up to speed. There’s trouble in the Parish and our assistance is needed. Though it brings me great pain to be separated from Hannah, I know we must leave her and Adrianna here under the guard of the Brothers. They will be safe here.
Dante and I must go and deal with the strange vessel that is approaching the island. One that we hope we’ve lured here.
Boats who troll the shores too close to us, we deem creepers. Nine times out of ten it’s just a curious driver, a lost seaman. Sometimes it’s one of the younger men who are eager to join our ranks trying to get a look at the Parish.
It’s the tenth time out of ten that has me on high alert right now.
I know it’s not a lost fishing boat because this was all part of Dante’s and my plan. We already had the information we needed from Mary—we’d gotten that when I first sent guards to Brontes. What we needed was bait, in the form of the four of us.
We arrived in style. Met openly with Mary. Paraded about the town. Asked questions. Drew attention. Hoping it would raise the ire of the men who were looking for Hannah. Enough to make them follow us to the Parish so we could deal with them on our turf. Spent a few days at sea—where no one could get to Hannah—giving them time to get good and irritated.
They took the bait. They’ve arrived.
It’s time to meet them.
I take Hannah in my arms. Kiss her deeply. “You stay right here. Don’t step out of sight from these men. Understood?”
She looks up at me, her eyes filled with fear and trust. “Do you have to go?”
“Yes.” I kiss her forehead. When I pull away her fingers cling to my shirt. I grab her hands, placing them at her sides. “Stay strong. I’ll be right back.”
Dante kisses Adrianna, threatening her with a hot bottom should she try to follow. We leave the galley, guns heavy against our hips.
On the bridge, we get a better look at the boat. It’s an old fishing vessel—a disguise. Two riders wear floppy hats that cover their face, instantly raising my suspicions.
Dante’s pissed. “What the fuck are they doing?”
“Trolling. But why the hats?”
“Let’s grab the tinder and check it out.”
“Done.” I radio the deck hands, tell them to ready the tinder and we’ll meet them on the back of the boat.
We make our way to the crew. They’ve changed from their whites to their casual deck uniforms. They greet us with a handshake.
Anthony, an eager young mountain of a man steps forward from the group. “May I assist you? I’d be happy to drive the tinder so you can focus on your work.” As he speaks, he casually lifts the tail of his shirt; he’s packing heat. I know he’s been after Carter to initiate him into the Parish. He’s eager to prove his worth.
Dante’s gaze cuts to mine, seeing if I mind. I remember how it felt to have that raw passion burning in your chest. Ready to prove yourself. I still feel it. I give Dante a nod.
Dante tells Anthony, “You can come. No rash moves. Follow orders.”
“Yes, sir.” Anthony’s holding back a grin.
Dante hits the young man with that stone-cold gaze he’s known for. “We’re not sure if we’re dealing with a couple of elderly fishermen who are lost... or something else. Don’t try and be a hero—we’re just taking their temperature.”
“Yes, sir.” Anthony hops off the dock and into the tinder, taking his place behind the wheel.
I shade my eyes with my hands, staring at the vessel. “I’d bet my life this boat falls under the ‘something else’ category.”
“We’ll know soon enough.” Dante climbs down into the tinder. I follow behind.
Anthony waits for Dante’s instructions. His jaw is set, hungry for blood. This young man is going to be disappointed if he doesn’t see action. Dante says, “Take us in slow. Stay a good twenty feet from them.”
Dante’s eyes flash in the direction of the other vessel. My hand goes to my hip, ready.
As we pull closer, neither passenger looks up from under their broad brimmed hats. When we are in speaking range, Dante shouts, “Men—you’re quickly approaching private property.” His hand goes to the pistol at his waist. “Heavily guarded private property.”
At his signal, the hands of both the men go to their chests. Dante and I have our safeties off within seconds of their movement.
The man on the right says, “I wouldn’t if I were you.” He opens his vest exposing what looks like a bomb. The man on the left follows suit, a gross grin crossing his face. He’s equipped just the same.
Anthony keeps his voice low. “You think they’re bluffing?”
“I don’t,” Dante growls in response.
The mouthy one says, “Shoot, and we all go down.”
Anthony is young, eager to solve the problem. “We could just troll out further. Get out of distance from them and shoot them then? Have someone from shore take a sniper rifle to their ass?”
“We don’t know the power behind what they’re packing. Not wise,” Dante replies.
I know better than to make suggestions. I wait quietly, my muscles rigid, my piece trained on the guy on the right.
Dante calls out, “Who are you here for?” The word who makes ice flow through my veins.
Hannah.
I’ve no doubt these were the men snooping around her village. The talking one replies, “We’ve heard of your travels. You know what we are here for.”
I see red. My finger tightens on the trigger. Dante’s hand lands heavy on my shoulder. Reluctantly, I bring the gun down. Dante says, “We’ll arrange a meeting. Be warned—you’ll not be getting what you came here for. The most you can hope for is a quick death.” With that, he signals to Anthony to take us back to the yacht.
The man on the right stands, their small boat rocking at his abrupt movement. “Wait!”
Dante gives Anthony the signal to hold. “Speak.”
The stranger shouts, “Why do you protect her? What is she to you?”
Dante sneers at the man, “She’s one of us.” He turns to Anthony. “Get us the hell out of here.”
We leave the men, cruising in the direction of the yacht.
Anthony asks, “What are we going to do?”
“Hell if I know. Two dopes packing enough heat to blow up a few square miles—annihilating themselves in the process—it’s a first.”
I almost want to laugh at Dante’s response. But the distance between me and Hannah has my chest tight. “Let’s get back. As fast as possible.”
As we close the gap, I glance at the men over my shoulder. The one with the grin stares, hard. They want Hannah gone. And they’re willing to give their lives to make it happen. I shudder at the thought. Then I remember... on our side we have hundreds of men willing to risk their li
ves to keep her safe. And I’m able to breathe.
Those fuckers are going to die. And I’m going to be the one to kill them.
* * *
We’ve arranged a meeting on Parish soil. Carter, head of the Parish, John, his right-hand man, Dante, and I will sit down with loudmouth and his sidekick. The bomber buddies as John’s taken to calling them.
We’re in the meeting room of Dante’s old house—one of the basement lairs where we like to conduct our dirty work. We often keep our illegal deeds where they belong—below ground.
When Dante and I arrive, Carter is already seated at the head of the table. John to his right. Dante and I take a seat.
Carter stretches his arms above him, so calm he looks bored. His round muscles ripple as he moves. He shoots me an easy smile. “Long time, no see, Nicholas.”
“It’s been awhile,” I reply.
“This isn’t the reunion I thought we’d be having.” Carter laughs.
“I know. Sorry to be delaying dinner.”
“Dante tells me they’re after your girl?” he asks.
“Something like that. They want her dead,” I say.
Carter bristles. The Brotherhood lives to protect the women they care about. “We won’t let that happen.”
John says, “I get the sense they’re not as dumb as they look. From what Dante’s told us about Vacso, they have money. They can afford high tech. And judging by what they did to Hannah’s father to get rid of this drug, they won’t stop till they have her, too. And they’re equipped to fight. How much does she know?”
I repeat what she’s told me. “Hannah she’s said she tried her best to follow in her father’s footsteps and re-create his work. She couldn’t. Eventually gave up and pursued other studies. Any chance of re-creating the drug died with Hannah’s father—I don’t think she has what they need.”
Surrender: A Mafia Billionaire Romance Page 12