I slow to a normal pace when I enter the public view. I fix my suit jacket, buttoning it and taking a quick look to make sure I don’t have any blood on me.
Nodding, I mumble, “Good evening,” and “Hello,” making my way through a crowd of people. So far, we’re down two dead guys—both of which are now shark food—taking out one more than we were ordered to for Saint. And we still have our three to go. We can’t let any of them be seen. That would ruin our plan and our initiation.
If you ask me, this was a stupid idea. Putting us all together in one place out in the ocean can only end in disaster. Or with me puking all over myself. I’ve been chewing away on the gum the old lady gave me in hopes that it would calm me down. I’d say it’s helping, but I still feel a little uneasy.
I decide to swallow it. Maybe that will help. It was old anyway. Should have spit it out hours ago.
I’m looking down at my cell when it continues to vibrate in my hand. It’s the group chat. They’re blowing it up, looking for Haidyn, but he’s not responding. I’m not surprised. We all prefer to work alone. The Lords are forcing this initiation to be a group activity.
I run into a soft surface, knocking my phone to the deck. “Fuck,” I hiss, bending down to pick it up. But they get to it first.
“I’m sorry.” Someone giggles. “I’m so clumsy.” Green eyes gaze up to mine through a set of dark painted lashes.
“I, uh… Sorry. It was my fault,” I tell her. “I wasn’t paying attention.” But I am now.
It’s the woman I saw earlier. The one Saint wouldn’t let me play with. Bleached-blond hair in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Her small body is wrapped in a red silk dress that dips low in the front, showing me a set of perfect tits. They’re on the smaller side. The thin fabric might as well be a fucking bow—a present that I can unwrap and play with. She has a dainty nose ring—septum piercing—that I hadn’t noticed from a distance earlier.
She gives me a nervous smile and holds out my cell. It’s vibrating in her hand when I take it and shove it into the pocket of my dress slacks without even bothering to look at it. Haidyn’s a big boy; he can handle himself.
“I—”
“I’ve been looking for you.” A man comes up behind the woman, and I watch her stiffen at the sound of his voice. It belongs to the same man she was standing with when I first saw her.
She clears her throat and faces him. “I’m right here.” Her voice is now flat, all playfulness gone.
His dark eyes meet mine, and he reaches out, grabbing her hand. “Quit playing around. That’s not what you’re here for.” He pulls her forward, and she trips in her expensive designer heels, but his hand in hers keeps her upright.
“Hey, man. Take it easy,” I say, stepping forward to follow them. She was drinking a glass of champagne earlier. Who knows how many she’s had. It’s a party. Maybe she’s drunk and unsteady.
He jerks her to a stop and spins around to glare at me. Her eyes quicklyglance at mine before they drop to the deck. It’s clear she’s afraid of him. “I didn’t mean?—”
“Shut up,” he barks at her, and her exposed shoulders begin to tremble.
I step into him, bumping my chest into his. “Watch your fucking tone.” I’m six five. He’s maybe six foot, by the way I have to look down at him. I still feel a little seasick, but I will whoop his ass.
He gives me a cruel smile that shows off his paid-for mouth. He’s a Lord, of course. If I had to guess, I’d say very high up on the food chain, but I don’t know him personally. That’s not surprising. So many of them from all over the world are attending this party tonight.
“Listen, boy, when you pay for it, you can treat it however you want.” He turns and yanks her away once more, pulling her through a door to the right.
I shouldn’t get involved. It’s none of my business. I’m here for an initiation…
“Fuck,” I curse, pulling out my cell. Thirty unread messages in the group chat between Adam and Saint. Still nothing from Haidyn.
The newest message pops up.
SAINT: Where the fuck are you, Kash?
I type back a quick response.
ME: Main deck forward.
And I start walking. As I pass the door on the right, I hear the girl crying out from inside. I don’t even give it a second thought. I shove the door open and rush into the owner’s suite.
Cream-colored silk bedding and gold trim. The chocolate-colored drapes are open, allowing the dark water to be visible. The carpet is a crisp white. The room is fit for royalty.
The woman gets my attention. She’s in the process of trying to crawl off the king-size bed, and he’s leaning over the edge, hands around her ankles, dragging her back to him as she kicks and screams. His hand slips, ripping one of her heels off in the process.
“Fucking cunt,” the man growls. “You’ll pay for that.”
