Cruisin' With Sharks (Paranormal Mysteries #1)

by Rosette Bolter

  “Why are you doing this?”

  A pause.

  “Grow up, Bryonie.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Taylor’s feet were in the pool. She was sitting on the edge of it, moving her feet back and forth in a smooth motion. There was a cocktail in one hand. A cigarette in the other. She looked down into depths of the pool where darkened outlines of the bartender and the paranormal agent could be made out. She expected that she would feel something by now. The adrenalin would begin to wear off and she’d come to grips with the gravity of what she’d done. But it hadn’t hit yet. Perhaps it was because she didn’t know them. Perhaps not.

  Taylor could see the sky’s reflection on the pool’s surface. All dark now. All shinning, with its sparkling starlight. This was somewhere else. The beginning of her true adventure.

  She thought about Kieran.

  How at some point she’d been satisfied being on his arm. Nodding giddily as he told her he loved her and they’d be together forever. They’d have the most spectacular wedding. The most adorable children. And everyone would want to be their friends. Because that’s how it was supposed to go.

  Then Taylor thought about fucking Darien from before. One day’s truth didn’t always translate into another.

  “It’s done,” Darien’s voice murmured behind her. “If you hadn’t noticed…”

  She heard him pouring himself a drink.

  Taylor sipped hers. “What did you tell them?”

  “That Colton wants us to return to base.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “He has an estate on the opposite coastline. Should take around an hour to get there.”

  Darien walked over.

  “What are you doing?”

  Taylor didn’t look up. She tapped her smoke allowing ash to fall into the pool. “Uh-oh, pool’s dirty now.”

  “I’m not –” Darien stopped short. “Look, has anyone been up here since I’ve been gone?”

  Taylor shook her head.

  “That’s a no?”

  “It most certainly is.”

  “Things are so quiet down there. I don’t have a fucking clue where anyone is.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be back here eventually.”

  “That’s what we don’t want,” Darien said. “I mean, I’m sure I’ll be able to convince Colton it’s in his best interests not to contact the authorities – but what about your friends?”

  “Who?”

  “The girls that were here.”

  “It’s probably best they don’t find out.”

  “That’s what I’m thinking. But I don’t know how we can stop any of them coming up here.”

  “Is there somewhere else we can hide them?”

  “What?”

  “You should get them out of the pool. Put them on the ground somewhere. Use the towels to cover them up. Then go get Finn to help you move them overboard.”

  “Oh. Oh okay. And what will you be doing?”

  Taylor stopped moving her legs in the water. She took a sip from her glass and looked up into Darien’s deep brown eyes.

  “Are you a good boy, or a bad boy?”

  “What?” Darien replied.

  Taylor inhaled her smoke and let it fall into the water.

  “Are you a good boy? Or a you a bad boy?”

  “I’m not any kind of boy,” Darien said. “I’m a man.”

  A look of confusion crossed his eyes. As though he might be wrong.

  Taylor stood from the pool. “You didn’t say that very convincingly. But let’s say you are a man. What does a man do?”

  “Do we really have time for this shit?”

  Taylor moved close to him.

  His body shuddered.

  As though he was frightened.

  “I’ll tell you what a man does,” Taylor said taking his hand. “He protects his woman.”

  She put his hand to her backside.

  Darien swallowed. “I can have any woman I want. Why are you so special?”

  Taylor stared at him with ferocity.

  “Because I’m the bad girl…”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Bryonie knew something wasn’t right the moment she set a foot outside the ship’s interior. Leah glanced back, her eyes dark and squinted, and Bryonie knew she felt it too. They walked around the ship’s perimeter till they reached the back end where they could make out the lights from the docks. But only just.

  Leah turned to Bryonie, fuming. “Did you know about this?”

  “What?” Bryonie exclaimed. “Hell no.”

  “I’m not staying the night here, Bryonie. I’m fucking not.”

  “Alright, alright. We’ll go – we’ll talk to Finn –”

  “Where is he?”

  “I don’t know. On the roof?”

  Leah trudged past her.

  Bryonie quickly followed.

  “Please don’t be mad,” Bryonie urged her friend. “I can’t deal with this.”

  “It’s not all about you, Bryonie.”

  “I know it isn’t! But I haven’t done anything wrong! Do you not care about my feelings at all?”

  Leah grimaced.

  They made their way inside and went to the elevator.

  They waited for it to come down.

  “All I’m saying is I’m on your side,” Bryonie said. “I just wish you’d stop hating me.”

  Leah looked at her sideways. “Alright.”

  “Alright what?”

  “Alright, I believe you.”

  Bryonie smiled. “Really?”

  Ding.

  The elevator doors opened.

  Leah went through first and Bryonie quickly followed.

  Leah pressed the button and the doors closed.

  Bryonie looked at Leah. Her smile faded.

  “You still seem mad.”

  “Of course I’m mad,” Leah said. “Whoever thought it was a good idea to set sail without telling anybody is going to get an absolute blasting from me. I don’t give a fuck who it is. I’m gonna tear their fucking hair out.”

  “It will be alright,” Bryonie said softly. “We’ll ask them to turn around. They’ll go back for you.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  Bryonie held her tongue.

  Leah was right.

  She didn’t know they’d go back for them. She had no idea what was going on whatsoever.

  The elevator came to a stop.

  The doors opened and the girls exited.

  The roof was strangely dark at first glance. Pink and purple lights radiated around the bar in the middle, but there wasn’t much lighting elsewhere.

  Taylor and Darien were standing opposite one another near the bar in heated conversation.

  “Hey,” Leah called once they were a little closer. “What the fuck’s going on?”

  Taylor turned quickly. She seemed a little stunned.

  Leah and Bryonie walked around the edge of the pool to where they were.

  “Hey girls,” Darien murmured. “What’s up?”

  “We’re at sea, that’s what’s up,” Leah said crossly. “I was about leave.”

  “Oh,” Darien said. “Oh shit.”

  “Yeah, oh shit. Do you know anything about this?”

  Taylor and Darien looked at each other.

  “Yes,” Darien said reluctantly.

  “Yes? Yes, what?”

  “We know about it.”

  Taylor turned towards them. “What’s your problem? Why were you trying to leave?”

  “Because I wanted to,” Leah snapped. “They can’t just take off without telling us.”

  “There’s been a bit of a mix up in communication,” Darien said. “I thought everyone was down with … partying tonight. Didn’t know there was a curfew for anyone.”

  “Where’s Finn?” Bryonie asked.

  Darien shrugged.

  “Isn’t he with you?” Taylor questioned.

  “No,” Bryonie said.

  “Fuck Finn,” Leah
interrupted. “Who do I have to speak to get this ship turned around?”

  “Look, we’re on a chartered course towards Colton’s estate on the opposite coast. We’ll be there in around an hour.”

  “Where the fuck is that exactly?”

  “It’s … west of the city.”

  “My freaking sister is on her way now to pick me up from where we just left. This is a major inconvenience!”

  “It’ll be fine,” Darien said. “Colton has cars on standby. You’ll be home in another hour or so after we arrive.”

  Leah tapped her foot against the wooden surface. “I’m not happy about this.”

  “Would you like a drink or something?” Darien offered. “I’ll have to get it myself because the bartender –”

  Taylor elbowed him. “Darien’s right, we should all move over here. Come on now.”

  She quickly ushered Leah and Bryonie over to the bar area. She sat them down and jumped the counter. Began to fumble about with the glasses behind.

  “So we’re just going to sit here?” Bryonie asked.

  Leah stood up. “I have to call my sister. If she doesn’t hear from me in the next two hours she’ll be bloody calling the cops as well.”

  She stumbled off.

  Taylor peered over at her as she placed a drink in front of Bryonie.

  “What is this?” Bryonie asked, picking it up.

  “There’s a lot of stuff in it,” Taylor muttered. “Good stuff.”

  Bryonie took a whiff.

  It smelt strong.

  “Go on,” Darien urged, sitting next to her. “It won’t hurt.”

  Bryonie put it to her lips. Swallowed.

  It burned her throat.

  “Oh shit,” Bryonie said coughing.

  “Are you alright?” Taylor asked sympathetically.

  Bryonie looked at her, nauseated. Then she glanced over towards Leah.

  She was standing near the ledge.

  “I have to find Finn. This place is fucking stupid. With us all spread out. Losing one another.”

  “He might be in his room,” Darien said. “It’s on the floor below this one. I’ll go fetch him.”

  Bryonie set the drink down and stood up. “I’m coming with you.”

  “I think you should stay here,” Taylor said leaning over.

  “Why so I can stop you from talking more shit about me?” Bryonie snapped.

  Taylor’s head went back, surprised.

  “It’s alright,” Darien assured her. “She’ll be fine with me.”

  Taylor swallowed.

  Bryonie walked ahead of Darien, in the direction of the pool. She walked around the left side, glancing at it briefly. There was something dark on the pool’s bottom.

  “Bryonie,” Darien said almost in her ear. “Look at this up here.”

  Bryonie followed where he was pointing.

  Right up to the sky.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Conversation between Darien and Bryonie was brief. It was only once they were in the elevator together and the doors had closed that Bryonie began to see how he was looking at her.

  There was a seriousness about him.

  An intensity.

  Just before the elevator stopped he reached out and put his hand through Bryonie’s hair.

  She gave a frightened shudder.

  “You didn’t see anything, did you?” he asked, his fingers playing about.

  Bryonie stared back as the doors opened. “Like what?”

  Darien blinked. He withdrew his hand.

  “Come on, let’s go.”

  They left the elevator and stepped into the corridor.

  Bryonie wasn’t exactly sure what had just happened, but she knew she didn’t like it. The sooner they found Finn the better.

  Eventually Darien stopped in front of the doors and rapped his knuckles against it. “Finn?” he called. “Finn, are you there?”

  Bryonie waited nervously.

  Before too long Finn came to the door, appearing somewhat distressed.

  There was blood on his shirt.

  “Bryonie,” he said with a touch of surprise.

  “I’ve been looking for you,” Bryonie murmured. “Well, sort of.”

  “What’s going on?” Darien inquired. “Are you hurt?”

  “It’s not my blood,” Finn answered. “I’m fine. It’s Colton who isn’t.”

  “Can we come inside?” Darien asked.

  “I – I’m not sure –” Finn began. “There’s some fucked up shit going on at the moment. I don’t think Bryonie is…”

  “It’s okay,” Bryonie said forcing her way into the room. “I can handle blood.”

  She was now in the living area.

  Her eyes scanned until she the kitchen on the left. She could see a hand on the ground behind the counter.

  “Oh fuck,” Bryonie gasped.

  Darien lumbered in behind her and made his way straight towards the kitchen.

  Finn closed the door.

  “Oh Jesus, Colton,” Darien cried, falling to his knees.

  Bryonie moved to see what was happening, before Finn blocked her.

  “Is he dead?” Darien asked. “Is he alive?”

  “He’s alive,” Finn answered. “Unconscious.”

  Darien stood back up. “He’s been shot.”

  “I know,” Finn said.

  “By you?”

  “No, not by me!” Finn exclaimed.

  Darien stared back at him, perplexed.

  Finn glanced at Bryonie. “Look I just found him up here. He was awake when I came in. Said some crazy bitch shot him. But I don’t know who he meant.”

  “Crazy bitch?” Bryonie murmured. “Who else is on board?”

  “I – I –” Finn stuttered.

  “Oh,” Darien said, nodding. “I know who it was.”

  Finn and Bryonie looked at him. “Who?”

  Darien hesitated. “Shit.”

  “What?” Finn demanded.

  Darien walked out of the kitchen. He sat down in one of the armchairs.

  “We had an incident before ourselves,” he said. “Me and Taylor, I mean.”

  “Go on,” Finn instructed.

  “I think we heard the bang. Must have. Taylor’s cousin came in a short time later.”

  “Wait – where are you when this is happening?” Finn asked.

  “We were on the roof. Taylor’s cousin came out. She … had a gun. Started firing on us.”

  “What?” Bryonie shrieked. “What in fucking hell are you –”

  “She shot the bartender…” Darien said. “And we somehow got the gun off her. She got shot as well.”

  “Where’d she get a freaking gun?” Bryonie demanded.

  “She must have brought it on with her,” Darien said.

  “None of this makes any sense,” Finn said.

  Darien swallowed. “Sure it does. Colton maybe brought her up here. Came on a little strong. And she snapped. I mean … she flipped out. Then tried killing the rest of us.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” Bryonie wanted to know.

  “We didn’t want to alarm anybody. You were … already mad at us.”

  “Where’s the gun?” Finn asked.

  “I don’t know,” Darien muttered. “Oh. Maybe. It’s in the pool, I think.”

  “Jesus the cops can’t get here soon enough.”

  Darien sat up. “You called them?”

  “Ambulance, police, everything,” Finn said. “Should be here any minute. I was just staying with Colton hoping he might wake up again. The ambos said they’d find their own way on board.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Bryonie gushed. “Finn – you don’t know?”

  “I don’t know what?”

  “We’re at sea now. Going on some bleeding chartered course –”

  “What?” Finn exclaimed. “That’s impossible.”

  Darien put his hand up. “I’m sorry that was … our idea.”

  “Idea? Have you lost
your mind?”

  Darien stood up. “We thought Colton would want this handled discreetly. I – I didn’t know that he’d been –”

  “You were going to try and cover this up?”

  Darien looked panicked. “It was – it was –”

  Finn leaned into him. “What?”

  “A … bad idea,” Darien said softly.

  Finn looked up towards Bryonie. “We’re going to need to get everyone together. All your friends that are still on this ship.”

  “That’s easy,” Darien said. “Leah and Taylor are already on the roof together.”

  “Good,” Finn said.

  “Wait a second,” Bryonie interrupted. “What about Erin?”

  “Who’s Erin?”

  “She’s – she’s one of my friends!”

  “And she’s here?”

  “Oh – I remember her,” Darien said. “Yeah, she went off with Perry when we first got here.”

  “Wow, that’s right,” Finn said. “I wonder what they’ve been doing this whole time.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Daphne was speaking to her. Coming on strong. Telling her she never liked the look of Finn from the moment he came to the door. That she should get away as soon as she could.

  But there was nowhere for Leah to go.

  “It’ll be alright,” Leah heard herself say. “I’ll make it through. You don’t have to worry about me.”

  “Find out what the address is,” Daphne instructed. “Text it to me a.s.a.p.”

  “Will do.”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  She put the phone away.

  Taylor was watching her from behind the bar. “Leah. Whatchadoin’. Get over here.”

  Leah slowly made her way over.

  “I had sex with Darien, just so you know,” Taylor said. “He’s off limits.”

  She set a cocktail in front of her.

  Leah rubbed her eyebrows. “You fucked Darien?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Already?”

  “Yep.”

  “While I was fighting with Bryonie?”

  Taylor leaned forward. “I forgot to ask. How did that go? You two seemed okay before.”

  “Bryonie’s denying it. Saying it didn’t happen.”

  “As she would.”

  “Bryonie isn’t much of a liar though.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “I mean she usually gives herself away.”