The radio crackled with an incoming transmission. “Pirate ship off my starboard side.”
It couldn’t be.I turned the squelch to bring it in clearer.
“Pirate ship off my starboard side. There is a douchebag in the water about 100 meters to your port side. Requesting immediate evacuation for him.”
“Goldilocks?”
“Sea Ductionrequesting immediate aid for a passenger overboard in the Gulf, Over.”
“Roger that, love.”
I reached for the shipwide radio. “Attention, guests of Pegleg Pete’s Pirate Extravaganza. We need to change course to assist in an emergency water extraction. I need crew members to their muster stations. Passengers are asked to please remain seated in the dining room.”
I turned the ship and headed toward where Kendra said the person was overboard. As we drew closer, my eyes narrowed. Fucking wanker was bobbing in the Gulf, holding onto a life ring. He waved at me, and I briefly considered leaving him to the reef sharks, but my naval training won out, and we went to pick him out of the drink.
Decker, Kendra’s former first mate, pulled him aboard and made a face. “What the hell were you swimming in? Rotten eggs?” He waved in front of his face, then took off to secure the lines so we could head back to port.
“What? It’s my pheromone cologne!” Jesse’s teeth chattered. “Thanks for picking me up, Rowan. I don’t know why she did it.”
My eyes widened. “You don’t know why True left you at the altar after you lied to her? Yeah. Big mystery, that.”
He frowned. “No. I don’t know why Kendra made me walk the plank. Not that there was a plank, but that’s what she said. I had to walk the plank.”
I froze. “She told you to walk the plank? Those were her exact words?”
Jesse nodded.
“That’s my Goldilocks.”
“You know, you could’ve come up with a better nickname for her than Goldilocks. Yeah. We get it. She’s blonde,” he sneered.
I squeezed his shoulder. “Jesse, I don’t call her Goldilocks because she’s blonde. Now, Decker will show you some towels.I have to get this ship back to Pleasure Point. My woman is waiting.”
Chapter 39
Captain Kendra’s Log: Time to set things right
I heardthe rumbling of the pirate ship as I tied off the final line of theSea Duction. I didn’t reconnect her to shore power and amenities. I wouldn’t need it. My heart raced with a blend of excitement and nervous energy.
Heavy footsteps on the dock captured my attention, and I turned to see Rowan rushing toward me. He must have hopped off the ship before they even put the gangplank down. I could feel the anticipation crackling in the air. I tried to steady my breath, but it came in quick, excited gasps, my pulse thrumming.
“Kendra!”
I swallowed thickly. “Hey, Rowan.”
When he caught up to me, he was out of breath. “You’re here.”
“For a few hours,” I said.
His face fell. “What do you mean? A few hours?”
“I’ll tell you in a little bit, but first - Seeger?”
“Fucking wanker told you.”
“You don’t deny it.”
Rowan shook his head. “No.”
