He swears, then looks hurt. “Who do you think I am? I’m not a criminal, Rosh. I’m a magician—a mentalist—just trying to make a living.”
She moistens her lips. “I-I’m sorry, I guess I’m just ... scared, you know? That we could be found out. And what would happen if we are.”
“I know.” He leans forward, takes her hands in his. “But there’s no need to be.”
“You said earlier that the one drawback with using a Wi-Fi connection for the cams—rather than Bluetooth—is that Wi-Fi could be more easily detectable by the ship’s IT.”
“It’ll never be an issue, because no one in IT will even think to look. They won’t have cause to. The cams will never be found. And even if they are, it can’t be linked back to me.”
“Maybe not you, but I’d be the top suspect. I’m the one with master access to those suites.”
“That’s what I mean by saying you probably shouldn’t be making a scene banging on my door. If we don’t draw attention to us beingan item, you can deny knowing anything about the cams, or how the information was used.”
Theo’s words only fan Roshaan’s fears. The way he’s framing things, she’ll take the fall. Not him. It’ll be her who goes to prison.
As if reading her mind, Theo says, “They’dneversuspect you, Rosh. You’re exemplary. A perfect employee.”
Her father’s voice echoes from her childhood.
She’s such a good girl, our Rosh.
Is this why Theo picked her? Because she’s a classic “good girl” mark for a seductive con man? She shoves the thought away, but it leaves a bitter taste. She’d hoped to come down here and find relief. Instead, she feels worse.
He sees it. “What’sreallybothering you, Rosh?”
She glances away.
“Talk to me.”
“I saw you with Maxine earlier.”
A soft breath of air escapes him. “Ah, sothat’swhat this is?”
Her gaze flares to his. He’s not denying it.
“Do you have something going on with her?”
“God, no. Of course not.”
“I saw how you touched her. Poppy was with me—she saw it, too.”
“You’re imagining things. Overreacting. There’s nothing between me and Maxine.”
“So what were you two talking about?”
“I needed her to give me the passenger manifest for our next trip, so I can start some early background research. Just like I did with your current group of elites. That’s all.”
“Does Maxine know why you want the manifest?”
“I said it was for my act. It’s not illegal to look at it. Lots of crew have access to the bookings.”
Roshaan cannot bear to think of repeating this all over again. Cruise after cruise. Nausea curls in her stomach.
“The first time for anything is scary, babe. It’ll get easier.”
“I don’t think I can do this again. I—”
“Shh.” He places two fingers on her lips, stopping her. “I said I had something for you. Wait here.” He rises, opens his locker, and returns with a small black box.
