Several faces he recognized- a few were new referrals from one or more of his many European and Asian contacts. However, it was the Americans whom Cufi was most anxious to meet. Aside from his partner Marcus Ramsey and his contributions to the business, Cufi had required little American participation in the other aspects of his organization. He’d never had an American client and had steered clear for fear that it could lead to disastrous results.
Of course he’d had Warren Frinks and Joseph Simon thoroughly checked out. Frinks and Simon held connections that might increase his business ten-fold.
Cufi’s small, close set eyes narrowed. He’d spotted the big man who towered over almost everyone he passed. He was younger than expected, Cufi noted. Still, this could definitely be to his advantage. Engaging an older man in such a venture could be quite difficult as experience had taught him.
“Mr. Simon?” Cufi smiled more broadly when the young man nodded and headed toward him.
“Cufi Muhammad,” he announced once they were shaking hands. Fernando, who decided to use his mother’s maiden name and the male version of her first name, cast an approving glance at his surroundings.
“Quite a vessel. Must be a challenge running it,” Fernando guessed.
“You have no idea, son,” Cufi agreed, his round dark face beaming with pride. “I wouldn’t trade that challenge for anything. My silent partners allow me to staff The Wind Rage with the best people, thus making my job much easier. I have every luxury at my fingertips,” he paused to gesture around the main deck complete with glistening cherrywood floors and lounge chairs that were lined with decadent looking silken cushions.
“And may I assume that the gambling aspects are just as luxurious?” Fernando inquired, casually easing one hand into the pocket of his cocoa trousers.
Cufi chuckled. “Luxurious doesn’t begin to describe it, son. You’ll have an endless selection of games at your disposal,” he said drawing Fernando closer. “The same is true for the women. My people did inform you about the women?”
Fernando bowed his head, stroking his beard in an effort to hide the distasteful grin on his lips. “I know about the women,” he confirmed, raising his striking gaze to Cufi’s face. “I hope that selection will be just as impressive?”
Cufi rubbed his hands together. “A breathtaking selection I can assure you of that- all shapes, all sizes...all ages.”
Fernando’s chin rose. “Ages?” he prompted.
“As firm and as young as sixteen,” Cufi taunted, complete delight in his voice, “of course, if you require younger treasures that will cost you and, of course, I don’t travel with them.”
“Of course,” Fernando swallowed the bile flavoring his throat. “But that won’t be necessary. I prefer my women more experienced.”
Cufi nodded and clapped Fernando’s back. “Then, I’m certain you’ll find just what you’re looking for.”
The sound of Cufi’s voice, his grinning face and friendly pats to his back, were slowly fueling Fernando’s anger. He could feel the low rumble in his chest as his fists clenched- telltale signals that he was seconds away from losing his temper. Cufi had turned to speak with one of the pursers and Fernando used the opportunity to take deep, refreshing breaths. He ran a hand across his face and looked up in time to see something that set his temper back to simmer.
“Jesus,” he hissed and then remembered Cufi and turned to see that the man was still involved with the purser. Satisfied that Muhammad would be thoroughly occupied for a while, Fernando left his side.
“Dammit,” Contessa hissed, when the ringing cell phone interrupted her search for Spivey across the crowded deck. “Yes?!” she snapped into the receiver.
“Contessa!”
“Spivey? Dammit where are you? I’m looking all over this place and I can’t-”
“Chicago!”
County felt her heart sink. “What the hell? What are you still doing back there?”
“What happened to us leaving from Chicago and arriving in Hawaii together?” Spivey wanted to know.
“It made more sense to just go on and leave from Seattle,” County sighed, the gorgeous view of turquoise skies forcing no improvements on her mood. “I know the ship doesn’t sail ‘til the morning, but this would give us more time to investigate.”
“You could’ve told me about this little change in plans, County.”
“Spivey really. What difference does it make now? What I want to know is why you’re still in Chicago and not flying through the air on your way to Hawaii?”
Spivey hesitated. “I found out more information on the ship.”
“So? Tell it to me when you get here. I’ll keep up the cover and head on to the cabin.”
“The cabin? County where are you?”
“I’m at the ship. I’m standing on the main deck talking to you right now.”
“Jesus…”
“Spivey what’s wrong with you?”
“I want you to turn around and walk off that boat right now!”
“After all the scheming we did to get on this son of a bitch? Hell, no!”
“County-”
“Listen Spivey, I don’t know what’s going on but there’s no way I’m gonna turn and leave just because-”
“Dammit Contessa!”
Blinking slowly, County gripped her phone a bit more tightly. “Spivey? Spivey what’s going on? What’s wrong?”
“They’re slavers, County,” Spivey said after taking several deep calming breaths. “They drug and abduct women, get them on that ship and then it’s off to parts unknown.”
County pressed her lips together to stop their sudden trembling.
“Somehow they lure ‘em with the promise of a great lifestyle, travel, financial freedom... that probably explains how your boy’s strippers got there. Once they realize what’s going on, it’s too late. There’s no way out.”
County was cold all over and stood there wishing she’d listened to Mick. Keep it together Count, she ordered herself. “How did Marc Ramsey keep this hidden?” she asked.
“He’s a partner,” Spivey explained. “Only one top dog is actually hands on. He works directly from the ship.”
“I assume he’ll be my host for the trip.”
“No. No County he won’t because you’re bringing your ass back to Chicago. Now!”
“Spivey please listen to me. There’s no way I can leave undetected now,” she took note of the fact that the deck teemed with men- something that, under different circumstances, would have delighted her.
“Damn, damn,” Spivey moaned, “if only I’d gotten my hands on this information sooner. Listen, I’m gonna have that boat tracked down and get you out of there one way or another.”
“Spivey wait! Just wait a minute. Give me some time to think, alright?”
“Hell no! Hell no, County! Dammit it was risky enough you being there with me. Without me there, uh-uh, look just drop everything and run like hell.”
Surprised by her calm, County stood there trying to ease Spivey’s worries when she felt her arm taken in a steel grip. She gasped sharply and turned to look right up at Fernando. Her heart dropped to her toes and she could barely hear Spivey calling out to her.
“Hello?” Fernando spoke into the phone after taking it from County’s weak hand. “This is Fernando Ramsey...hey Spivey. Yeah...yeah. Listen, she’s fine...long story...yeah. She’ll be with me and I’ll make sure she gets off the boat and back home. You’ve got my word,” he said and then recited his cell number to Spivey and ended the call.
County propped one hand to her hip. “Your word? Ha!”
“Shut up,” he muttered, his light eyes now darkened with fury. “What the hell are you doing here?” his deep voice was a rumble.
County wasn’t intimidated when he blocked her view with his massive frame. “You jackass. I could ask you the same thing. Just checking out the business, right?” She raised her hand when he opened his mouth. “Save it. Don’t bother telling me you had
no idea this was going on. I believed that lie once- never again,” she shook her head slowly.
Fernando rolled his eyes and then turned to snatch Contessa’s garment bag from the porter who approached. “Come with me,” he growled before hissing a sharp curse as Cufi Muhammad arrived at their side.
“Mr. Simon and a very lovely friend,” Cufi noted, clapping Fernando’s arm while he looked on in interest. “Surely as experienced as she is candy to the eyes,” he drawled.
Fernando bowed his head to hide the dancing muscle when he clenched his jaw. He had to shove his fist deep within a trouser pocket, lest it smash the man’s gut.
County took an instant dislike to man’s small, leering gaze especially when he spoke the words ‘very lovely’ again and reached out to trail his index finger across her cleavage outlined so prominently at the halter bodice of the curve-hugging tangerine frock she wore. She stepped to make an angry lunge for the fifty something man and was immediately restrained by Fernando’s iron grip.
Cufi chuckled heartily- yet the sound was more unsettling than it was humorous. “Feisty,” he noted, his eyes appraising her face and heaving bosom. “Must be one of Marc’s last minute additions. He always provides me with my fiery Americans,” he saw fit to explain to Fernando. “Still,” he added, curving his right hand around County’s jaw. “I’m surprised he sent her here unsupervised,” he mentioned, and then patted her waist and sought to bring her close. “Give me a moment to get her calm,” he decided.
Fernando held County fast. “What time is dinner?” he asked.
Cufi’s hand fell away from County. “Five hours. Why do you ask?”
Smirking wickedly, Fernando fixed Contessa with a leer of his own. “I’ll take this one as is. Breaking her in will work up my appetite.”
County felt her legs turn to rubber, but still cringed and fought against Fernando as he pulled her away with him. Cufi’s laughter roared in the air.
~~~
Contessa spoke barely a word as they headed to Fernando’s cabin. Of course, much of her silence had to do with shock. Everywhere there was a scantily clad woman with a blank look in her eyes and a half smile on her lips. Everywhere there was a man with his hands or mouth somewhere on a woman’s body. The blatant sexual displays shocked even her.
Fernando halted his steps behind the porter who escorted them. His grip tightened over the gold bracelet that hugged County’s upper arm. It was a warning squeeze and County swallowed- not knowing if she would’ve been safer out on the main deck or inside his room. The porter opened the door and Fernando, giving her a slight nudge, forced her inside the spacious, impressively designed cabin suite.
County took in the luxury of the cabin while Fernando tipped the porter. Her brown gaze was absent and not the least bit moved by her surroundings. She was massaging her arm where Fernando had held her, when she heard a loud rumble and saw that her small case had been slammed against the wall. Whirling around, she blinked at the angry glint filtering his translucent stare.
“What the hell are you doing here?” his voice grated as he stalked her.
“Don’t bother telling me this isn’t what I think it is,” County sneered, stumbling over the high wedge heels of her strappy gold sandals as she backed away from him. Her heart sank down to her stomach when she witnessed his expression grow more menacing. Soon, she’d run out of room to retreat. “No rebuttal, Ramsey? Or are you too busy thinking up a lie you son of a bitch?!” she used her words as weapons.
At last, Fernando had completely blocked her in the far corner of the living area. “This is exactly what you think it is,” he whispered.
County swallowed. “A slave ship.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Fernando gestured with a lazy shake of his head. “Those words have such ugly connotations, Contessa. I prefer Ship of Delights.”
County took in the breadth of his massive chest beneath the black silk shirt he wore. She focused on the chords of his neck visible as the collar of his shirt was left undone to reveal the gold herringbone chain he wore. Overwhelmed by the size and strength of him, she silently commanded herself not to faint.
“You make me sick,” she breathed.
“Hmph,” he set his hand lightly upon her hip. “I promise you’ll change your tune.”
“I prayed that I would be wrong about you, but I guess I wasn’t,” she said to herself.
Fernando allowed his regret to show when she bowed her head in defeat. He cursed the fact that she followed her clues and had been led there. He knew that behind her still fierce demeanor that she was most definitely afraid. Unfortunately, it was too late to ease her fears now. He decided he would have a better chance of controlling her and protecting his cover if she were afraid. It would be the best way to keep her alive.
“Dammit, stop crowding me!” she snapped, easing away through an open sliver of space.
Fernando caught her wrist and set her to the bed. “What’d you expect to find here?” he roared.
County curved her nails into the black velvet comforter. “Not this,” she admitted.
Fernando clenched a fist. “Fool. Do you know what kind of people you’re dealing with?”
“I thought I did.”
Fernando braced his huge fists on either side of County on the bed. “I’m still the man you’ve been sleeping with for the last three months.”
“I’m about to vomit.”
“Really?” he whispered, his deep voice was soft and lightly playful. His nose trailed her temple, down the slope of her nose and then the curve of her cheek.
County closed her eyes and begged herself for the ability to remain unresponsive. She blinked and focused on the ceiling when one of his hands cupped her breast and his thumb assaulted the nipple with airy circles around the firm tip. She swallowed a moan when the walls of her sex contracted in response to the sweet sensations his touch invoked.
Fernando was just as affected and driven by the need to touch her. However, he knew he couldn't allow those needs to cloud what had to be done.
“Do you have any clothes for dinner?” he asked reluctantly moving his hand from her body.
“I packed light,” she answered softly. “Conservative,” she saw fit to add.
Fernando grimaced. “That won’t do. How the hell did you even get on a ship for men only?”
Some of County’s fear dissipated. “Come on, Ramsey,” she sighed. “Clearly, that’s not true. Spivey- using the name Warren Frinks- was to travel on board as a high stakes gambler. I was going as his companion,” she explained.
“Stupid,” Fernando muttered, rising to his full height while rubbing a hand through his dark brown curls. “Well, you can’t go to your cabin because Muhammad wants to meet his other American client.”
“Sick. All of you,” County sneered.
Fernando felt on the verge of vomiting himself, he knew he had a better chance of Contessa keeping her mouth shut if she was suspicious of him. Ironic, he thought, he’d wanted her to trust that he was being real with her and now he wanted her to believe just the opposite.
“We should get you some extra clothes,” he suggested, checking inside his jacket pocket for his wallet. “Come,” he said, curving a hand around her arm once more.
County tried to wrench herself free. “I’m staying here,” she snapped.
“I’m sure your plan wasn’t to stay in the cabin the entire time,” he challenged and jerked her close. County kept her balance by resting her hand on his chest and he smiled. “Unless you were planning to sneak around undetected by disguising yourself as a man? Which, by the way, is something you couldn’t do no matter how hard you tried.”
Again, County tried to wrench free of his hold.
Again, he jerked her close. “If you plan to leave this boat with your life and health intact, you’ll do exactly what I tell you. No arguments,” he brought his face close to hers then. “Disobey me, County and you’ll be very sorry.”
County searched his striking gaze. In her heart,
she knew he’d never hurt her- not physically anyway. There was more to this. A part of her knew she had to stay- had to get as much information as possible. She had to talk with some of the women. Most importantly, she had to find a way to put an end to this ship of horrors which, she regretfully acknowledged, would quite possibly destroy the man she loved.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Contessa appeared as though she were a child viewing some great wonder while she was being escorted along the corridors and decks of The Wind Rage. Exotic music- erotically mesmerizing- seasoned the air. Couples lay sprawled in lounges, along the pool- anywhere there may’ve been an empty space.
How could this exist? She asked herself. Numerous times she wondered how the authorities hadn’t discovered such a thing. Sadly, she admitted such a thing may be more common than she realized. She shivered at the possibility.
Fernando felt her shudder and rubbed his hand along her bare arm. “Cold?” he asked.
“Go to hell,” was the prompt reply
Her reaction was due simply to all she’d discovered. Fernando told himself. Still, it stung. Setting his jaw in a hard line, he prayed for the strength not to break down and confess everything to her then and there and delight himself in seeing the love in her eyes again. Long lashes closed over his deep set gaze and he told himself to let go of such a boyish fantasy. This was all too real and it could become all too deadly with just one misspoken word.
They stepped into a posh-looking boutique at the end of an upper level along the grand lobby of the ship. One of the male associates spotted them and instantly headed over.
Fernando turned to County, curving one massive hand around her throat, forcing her to look up at him. “Rule number one and only- don’t call me by name,” he said.
A hateful smirk curved her full lips. “That should be easy since all I want to call you is son of a bitch, jackass and bastard.”
Unconsciously, Fernando tightened his hold around her neck.
The Ramseys Boxed Set Page 63
