Vadim stormed across the room. He pushed Miller aside and was nearly nose to nose with his daughter. Ahole and Genevieve cut their way through the crowd and made it to within a few feet of the scene before Miller waved them off.
“You will go on no more of these pointless excursions!” Vadim scolded. “I forbid it!”
“You cannot control me, Father. I am not your translator anymore. I do not work for you,” she insisted as she walked away. As she melded with the crowd, she snatched another drink from a passing waiter.
“Don’t you walk away from me, Petrova!”
Petrova took Miller by the arm while dragging him out of the room. “Do svidaniya, Father,” she said as she tipped her head back, finishing the cocktail in one large gulp before tossing the glass in the air. “Come, Miller. I will take you to a real party.”
“Petrova!” Vadim yelled. “Petrova, don’t you walk away from me!” Vadim was incensed; he would choke the life out of Miller right here if he thought Kayembe would let him get away with it.
“That’s enough, Vadim,” Captain Kayembe insisted as he stopped the man’s forward movement by placing himself firmly between Petrova and her enraged father.
~~~
Petrova pulled Miller down the stairs and through winding hallways, eventually ending up at Trix’s bar. She flung the door open and pushed him inside. Then leaned into his ear and said, “Now this is a party.”
The place was packed, filled to capacity with revelers from all walks of life. Gone were the pretentious conversations and judgmental glares from the stuffy atmosphere only a few decks up. In their place was a sea of people who saw each other as equals, content in the knowledge that, whatever trials awaited them, they would overcome them together. No one here expected a thing from their neighbor or looked down on anyone for their station. Whereas the Elite who dwelled above—at Presence and other exclusive locales—were always dressed extravagantly, down here, where the real people lived, casual ruled the day. The people that lived on Haven’s working decks had a zeal for life. They relished every moment of this second chance afforded to them by Haven and they weren’t afraid to show it.
Intermingling with the crowd was Cortez and his team. They were sharing stories to an attentive audience but at the same time using the conversations as ice-breakers to get the people to open up about what the ship really needed and what the team should keep a lookout for while out on the road.
Petrova pushed herself and Miller through the crowd, deep into the heart of the gathering. “A party is thrown for us before every excursion,” she yelled. She had to speak up as even next to his ear the music and conversation nearly drowned out her words. “We are like rock stars, Miller. Enjoy yourself.” Petrova raised her arms in the air and danced into the crowd. She disappeared into a sea of bodies.
Cortez greeted Miller with a handshake. “Glad to see you made it, hombre.”
“This is… This is impressive,” said Miller. “All for you, huh?”
“Well, not us entirely.” Cortez had to nearly yell. “It’s a good excuse to let the people know that we’re here for them. It’s important to let them know that we’re no better than they are. Come on, I want you to meet someone.”
Cortez and Miller squeezed up to the bar.
“Hey, babe.” Trix leaned over the bar for a kiss.
“Trix, I’d like you to meet Captain Miller. He’s a friend. Miller, this is my girlfriend, Trix. She runs the place.” Cortez was still speaking loudly.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
“Likewise.” Trix leaned in so Miller was sure to hear her over the commotion. “Cortez doesn’t use the F-word lightly. If he says you’re a friend, you are. Welcome to Haven.” She shook his hand and gave him a nod of respect before backing away slightly. “I think you know these two.”
Vanessa and Lillian came running out from behind the bar. They squeezed through the crowd to give Miller a proper greeting: a long hug that nearly knocked the man over.
“Miller, it’s so good to see you!” Vanessa held him by his forearms, leaning back to get a better look at her traveling companion—she didn’t need to say anything else.
“You too. The both of you.” He smiled.
Just as Vanessa and Lillian began to regale Miller with tales from the bar, he felt a stern hand on his shoulder.
“Captain.” Sam gave Miller a firm handshake.
“Sam, it’s good to see you.”
“Likewise.”
“I take it everyone’s here then?” Miller looked around the crowded room, and sure enough, he noticed most of his former road-mates dotted in among the gathering.
“Only the ones that matter.” Marisol raised her beer.
“Good, that’s good.” Said Miller with a smile.
A commotion erupted from behind them, near the entrance. For a moment—only briefly, though—Miller considered if they were somehow under attack. Ahole and Genevieve entered the bar to thunderous applause.
“Let’s get this motherfucker started!” Ahole yelled as he ripped off his fine blue jacket. He swung it over his head and tossed it into the air to even more excitement.
The crowd began to chant, “Ahole, Ahole, Ahole.” He stood on a table and took a long pull from a whiskey bottle. He tossed the bottle into the crowd, then took Genevieve by the hand and pulled her up onto the tabletop. They embraced, and the crowd erupted.
“I love that guy,” Trix commented.
Miller smiled and turned to Lillian. “Hey, do you have a minute?”
“Always,” she said, wide-eyed. “Need a refill?”
“Nah, I’m still nursing the one I brought with me.” The ice in Miller’s drink had melted long ago; the glass was more of a prop at this point. “How’s life on the ship been treating you so far?”
“It’s great. Amazing, actually. Working for Trix almost feels like we’re back home. If I close my eyes and just take it all in, I can fool myself into thinking I am home.” She smiled. “Until we hit a wave and I almost fall over.”
“You’ll get your sea legs eventually.” Miller dug into his breast pocket. “I have something for you.” He handed Lillian an old pendant. “I think your father would have wanted you to have this.”
“Dad’s locket!” She teared up and covered her mouth. “I thought it was gone.”
“With all that was going on from being lost at sea to our time on the island, I had forgotten all about it. Housekeeping returned it with my things.”
“Thank you, Miller.” She hugged him hard around the neck, lifting herself off the floor in the process. “Oh, thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it.” He hugged her back and gently lowered her to the floor.
Lillian composed herself. She was slightly embarrassed. “Well, I better get back to it. Thirsty people.” She turned and gave Miller another smile as she waded through the crowd to the other side of the bar.
Ahole made his way to Miller, leaving Genevieve to their hungry fans. She wasn’t nearly as animated in the storytelling, but they hung onto her every word all the same.
“Miller, good to see you, mate.”
“Didn’t I just see you upstairs?”
“You did. I was only at that pretentious nonsense to keep an eye on you. Fuck those people.”
“Surprised they even let us up there from the look of things.”
“The teams are always invited. You know how it is—the rich always want to fuck the gladiators. We rarely attend.”
“Speaking of which, wouldn’t it make more sense to have a celebration after an excursion rather than the night before?”
“You’d think, but these things are more of a going-away party than anything else. You know, just in case the worse happens.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
“Try not to.” Ahole motioned for Trix across the bar. “Hey, hot stuff, how’s about a round for me and the missus?”
“You got it, red,” she returned with a smil
e before going slightly stern. “Hey, be careful out there tomorrow, will you? This place wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Ahole smiled and turned back to Miller. “She loves me, mate. She absolutely fucking loves me. Cortez better watch his step.”
“Fuck off,” Trix teased. “Genevieve would murder you.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Vanessa and Sam were in conversation. It was their first real talk since sometime back on the island.
“At first, I really regretted leaving the island behind. I really thought we could make a go of it there. But this?” Vanessa spread her arms wide and motioned to her surroundings. “I love this place and everything that goes along with it.” As she sat back down in her seat, her eyes settled on Lillian from across the room.
Sam smiled. “I’m happy for you. The both of you.”
“Thank you, Sam. That means a lot.” She pointed at his glass and he nodded an affirmative. Vanessa continued talking while making his drink. “This is the first time I’ve been in love since Clint died. I fought it at first. With Lillian, I mean. I was ashamed. I thought that letting myself love again was somehow disrespectful of his memory.”
“Clint was a good man. He would want you to be happy.”
“I know.”
“If we’re lucky enough to find love, girl, who are we to ask questions? Take it and run with it, I say. Don’t look back.”
“I like that.”
“When did you know?”
“I think I’ve always known. Deep down. But I wouldn’t admit it to myself, not until the island. Then, when we were put in de-cons, when we were separated, she was terrified and I couldn’t do a goddamn thing to help her. I told myself that if we ever got out of this place, I’d never let her go.”
Damon sat at the end of the bar, as far away from the party as he could manage while still pretending that he was somehow involved. Markus excused himself from his and Samantha’s table to talk to an old friend.
“Go ask Sweet Lips for your job back, Damon.”
“Why the fuck would I want to do that?”
“Because we have to contribute, man.”
Damon ignored the suggestion. “Gimme another drink.” He waved his empty glass at Trix. She pretended not to hear him. He continued his assessment of ship life. “Nah, man. We gonna run this shit.”
“Oh, come on.”
“This bitch right here”—Damon pointed his empty mug in Trix’s direction—“and the one out at the pool bar. They ain’t got no one looking out for them, so we gonna move in and offer protection. For a cut.”
“Protection from what?” Markus’s voice rose an octave in response to the absurdity of what he was hearing.
“I don’t know. I’ll make something up. When they close down tonight, I’ll get in here and steal some shit and sell it back. Who gives a shit?”
“I do. That’s asinine. I’m done with this grimy shit, Damon. I told you.”
“Whatever, man. Be a pussy.” Damon focused his ire on the bartender. “Bitch, I said I’m empty! Set me up, ho!”
“Damon!” Markus snapped.
“Excuse me?” Trix didn’t hesitate.
“Come on, gimme a drink,” Damon insisted.
Trix walked with purpose toward Damon’s spot at the bar. She got as close to him as she could without leaping over the bar top. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to, you little twerp? Get the fuck out of my bar!”
“I’m just fucking around,” Damon backpedaled in a hurry.
“Well, fuck around someplace else. I will not be disrespected in my own place of business. Now get the fuck out of here!”
Cortez rushed up. He stopped short of decking Damon right there. He stood, hands clenched, so close Damon could feel his breath on his face as he spoke. “It’s time for you to leave.”
Bull, Ulrich, and Ahole flanked Damon before he could respond.
“Yeah, whatever.” Damon slowly backed away until he bumped into Jeremiah, who was flanked by Miller and Genevieve. “Oh, so this is how it’s gonna be?”
“This is how it is,” said Jeremiah.
“Thanks for the assist.” Damon pointed at Markus. “Fuck all y’all.” He cursed the lot of them on his way out of the bar.
By then, Sam had pushed his way through the crowd.
“I should go talk to him,” Markus suggested.
“Don’t,” Sam insisted.
“But we grew up together, Sam. We’ve been through some shit, man.”
“Sometimes we stay friends with people out of force of habit or lack of options. It’s okay to move on, son.”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Markus sighed. He returned to his seat beside Samantha but not before giving a final glance in Damon’s direction. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said as he sat.
“Don’t be.” Samantha took his hand. “Damon’s a grown man who makes his own choices. You are not responsible for him.”
Markus just nodded. Sam patted him on the back as he passed on his way to the bar.
Trix spoke over the crowd as she set up more than a dozen shot glasses. “Alright, everyone, excitement’s over. Next round is on the house.”
The mob returned to where they were before Damon’s outburst, and most conversation continued as if nothing had happened, as if Damon didn’t even matter. He didn’t.
Cortez returned to his spot at the bar beside Miller, who was talking with Jeremiah. “Thanks for backing me up over there, Miller.”
“I’m part of the team, aren’t I?”
“You are. It’s just that he came in with you guys, so I just assumed you were friends.”
“We are anything but friends with Damon,” Jeremiah added. “We were traveling companions and nothing more. He showed his worth on the road, and it had little value.”
“I see,” Cortez responded with a smile. “Well then, I’ll be sure to stay on your guys’ good side.”
Nisha seemed unfazed by the brief encounter. She sat alone, morosely nursing her drink while twirling a little straw around the melting ice cubes.
“You okay, honey?” Sam asked as he took a seat beside her.
“I’m fine, Sam.” She hung her head. “I just miss my friend is all.”
“There was nothing any of us could have done for Isabelle, sweetheart. Those things were on us so fast we’re lucky any of us made it out of there.”
“I know, and it’s not even that. Isabelle was gone long before then. The woman I knew died with her son.”
“You know, if you want to honor your friend’s memory, there’s a girl over there on the other side of that bar who’s probably more than happy to talk about her mom with you.”
Nisha peered down the bar at Lillian. The girl was joyously pouring drinks and washing glasses, all the while chatting with friends new and old with the occasional stolen kiss from Vanessa. It was clear to Nisha that Lillian was happy. I’d only bring her down. Why ruin someone else’s happiness? she thought. “Yeah, I’ll think about it, Sam,” she lied. “Now go on and mingle. I’ll see you back at the room later.”
“You sure, darlin’?”
“Of course, I’m sure. Now get out of here, old-timer.” She gently nudged him toward the group.
“I’m not that old,” Sam said as he did as he was told. He wandered over and bellied up to the bar beside Marisol. Sam turned to look back at Nisha. He was going to wave her over, but she was already gone.
Sam had an uncharacteristic anxiousness about him that Marisol immediately picked up on. “What is it, Sam?” she asked.
“It’s Nisha. That girl hasn’t been herself since we got here. I feel like I’m having trouble getting through to her.”
“It’s this new place. That’s all. She’s always been shy. She’ll snap out of it.”
“You’re probably right. I just can’t help but think that something’s broken inside of her. I just wish she’d let me in.”
Marisol segued not at all gracefully to wha
t was on her own mind. “I don’t get it, Sam. I really don’t.” Marisol gripped her glass tight. “Why the fuck would you assign Isaac and me to janitorial? It just doesn’t make sense.”
“Hey, at least you guys get to walk around the ship. They’ve got me and Markus in a stuffy warehouse under that piece of shit, Krysler.” Sam looked around the room. A room full of friends. “It’s not all bad, though. The girls are happy, and Miller seems to be getting along well. Hell, Jeremiah and Aiko will probably be running the infirmary any day now.”
“Yeah, I’m happy for them, really. I just feel like I could be doing more. I should be doing more. It doesn’t even have to be in security. I don’t need the authority, and I’m not above cleaning shit, but I just feel like I’m being wasted here.” Marisol’s knee was working overtime bobbing up and down beside her barstool.
“I hear you, but give it time. They probably want to suss you out first. Make sure you’re trustworthy while you’re working your way up the ladder,” Sam replied. “By the way, I haven’t seen your better half. Where is Isaac tonight? He feeling under the weather?”
“No, he’s fine. He was here earlier, chatting up some guy from the casino. I saw them leave together like an hour ago.”
“Good for him. What about you, though? There seems to be an abundance of eligible bachelors around. Why don’t you get out there?”
“We just got here, Sam. Are you trying to marry me off already?”
“Nothing of the sort, darlin’. I had a talk with Vanessa earlier and she made me realize something.”
“What’s that?”
“That if we can’t find love, now especially, then what’s it all for?”
“Why, Sam, who knew you were a hopeless romantic?”
“Stop it.” Sam blushed. “You know what I’m driving at.”
“What about you? You ever think about making an honest woman out of some lucky lady?”
“I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. Even in the short time we’ve been here, this ship has put things into perspective. But now’s not the time. Positivity aside, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off about this place.”
The Roaming (Book 3): Haven's Promise Page 12
