Page 9 of Riptide

“Yes, brother,” she agreed and looked to Seth. “On second thought, you might want to skip the champagne. We don’t need you to relapse.”

“For health.” Seth took a quick sip and set it promptly to the side. He needed a clear head and couldn’t risk any more confusion.

As the courses came and went, Seth noted that only one waiter attended to their meal. For such a large vessel, he’d expected more crew.

As he studied its interior, he couldn’t shake the feeling he’d been on the boat before. He vaguely recalled Evan telling him that he’d had a Pershing built. Though he hadn’t had the chance to cruise on it with him, he’d listened for hours about the bells and whistles that had been incorporated into the grand vessel.

Keanu finished early and excused himself from the salon, leaving Seth and Kaimana alone in silence at the table. Two plates with chocolate mousse sat uneaten in front of them.

“I don’t normally say this, but I don’t think I’m going to make it to dessert,” Seth commented, noting the exhaustion in her eyes. How long had it been since she’d slept? He inwardly cursed, refusing to give in to his sympathetic nature. She kidnapped you, dude.

“I, uh,” she sighed, “I’m inclined to think the same.”

“So I guess we are finished?"

“Yeah, I guess we are.” Kaimana blew out a breath and flattened her palms onto the glass table. She stood and nodded her head toward the hallway. “Follow me.”

Seth’s eyes beamed with amusement as he watched Kaimana leave the room. Spontaneous. Beautiful. Altogether dangerous, he suspected.

What are you hiding, Queen?

* * *

Seth did as she asked and followed close behind her until they reached the main salon. He smiled, noting her bare feet that had been hidden under her dress. Something about her didn’t quite fit this opulent yacht. Classic and beautiful, she appeared to be a down to earth soul.

Though he could see she struggled to remain cool, something ate at her. Sharks perhaps, but not the ones swimming under the boat. Humans were often far worse than anything he’d seen in the ocean.

“Cognac?” she asked, setting the bottle onto the counter and pouring the dark gold liquor into snifters.

“Sure. Just a nip, though.”

“I’m sorry. I keep forgetting.” She looked up to him, wearing a serious expression. “I think we might have some coconut milk or soda. Of course, we have water too. Flat? Sparkling?”

“It’s fine. I’m fine. Let’s have that drink.” Seth sunk down into an oversized lounge chair. Lord knows I could use one.

Kaimana set a glass in front of him and made her way to the opposite sofa. She tucked her feet underneath her as she sat. With a sigh, she turned her gaze to the cognac. “I don’t know if I should have left you there that day below the cliffs. But I couldn’t. I don’t know you well but Giordano, what he’s done…”

At the mention of the gangster’s name, Seth stopped mid reach for his drink. “What? How do you know Giordano?”

“He did something…something awful. But he’s not the only one.”

“What did he do to you? Who else are you talking about?” Seth’s anger rose to the surface. But it was the fear that flashed in her eyes that sickened him. He steeled himself as she continued to speak.

“In this world, there are very bad people. Evil ones. Perhaps born of Kanaloa. Truly from Hell.” Kaimana took a deep breath. “But in this world, there are heroes, too. People who make the decision to do the right thing, even if it means sacrificing themselves.”

“Giordano is certainly from Hell. You’ll get no argument from me,” he agreed.

“Greed. Lust. Power. Pure evil.” Her gaze locked on his, an intensity swirling in her eyes. “You can decide to ignore it. To hide even. But the brave. Even if they are called the fool, they fight back.”

“What happened Kaimana? Why were you there that day?” he pressed.

“This boat. This yacht.” Kaimana changed the subject and smoothed her fingers over the black velvet cushion. “It was a gift.”

“That’s some gift.” Seth scanned the room, noting a Picasso showcased on the far wall.

“The man who owned this yacht was like family to me.” She laughed and shook her head. “I didn’t even know him for that long. But we were close.”

“Kaimana—” Seth set his glass down and leaned toward her. His chest hurt as he watched her struggle to hold back the tears that welled in her eyes. “Who? Who was it?”