by Tawna Fenske
“Look, I’m crazy about you,” Alex insisted, taking a few steps closer. “It’s just—things are complicated right now. My career is in shambles, my pension’s gone, and I have no idea where my life is headed. I think—well, now isn’t really the best time to start something serious but—”
“And you still don’t trust me.”
He blinked. “What?”
“That’s the main thing, isn’t it? You’ve got doubts about who I am, what I’m after, what I might do to damage your poor little pirate heart.”
The last part came out snarkier than she intended, but she let the words hang there anyway. She waited for him to argue, but he said nothing.
She took a shaky breath. “Who was she?”
“What do you mean?”
“The woman who saddled you with such a whopping pile of trust issues.”
Alex looked away. He lifted his hand, and for a moment, Juli thought he might rest it on her shoulder. Then he dropped it to his side. “Fiancée,” he said. “Ex-fiancée.”
“I see.”
He turned and looked at her, and his eyes were so sad, her heart nearly broke in two. She wanted to stand up and say something comforting, but she couldn’t find any words at all. What the hell could she say? Now that we’ve exchanged bodily fluids, you really ought to love and trust me forever.
Not the way life worked. Not her life, anyway.
She stood up and clutched the sheet tighter around her. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Alex reached out and caught her by the arm. “Wait.”
“Alex, it’s okay, really. You don’t have to—”
“I want to try.”
His voice was so soft she wasn’t sure she heard him right. “What?”
“I want to try to get over it. That’s what I’ve been thinking this morning while you were asleep. It’s what I was trying to say before we got all tangled up talking about weddings and fiancées and, and—”
“Wait. You’re saying you want to—what, date?”
He flinched a little at the word but nodded. “Yes. Look, I know I’ve been paranoid and you don’t deserve that.”
“I guess I haven’t helped. I wasn’t exactly forthcoming with the IQ thing or the details about Uncle Frank.”
Alex sighed, his hand still warm and solid on her arm. “Let’s just agree we both had secrets.”
“Okay.” Juli bit her lip.
“Look, I’m crazy about you. Totally, completely, ridiculously crazy about you. And last night was amazing.”
She managed a small smile. “It was.”
He returned the smile, his eyes never leaving hers. “So maybe we move forward from here?”
She waited, not sure what he was getting at. “Together?”
“Yes. Slowly. I mean—if you want to?”
“Okay,” she said, her heart fluttering with some combination of joy and trepidation. “Right. Together.”
“I’d like that.”
“Me too.” She smiled again. “I’m going to take a shower now, okay?”
“Together?”
She laughed. “No. Not together. Not if we’re going to get out of here in less than an hour.”
She stood on tiptoe and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. He started to reach for her again, but she dodged his hand, laughing as she started to lose her grip on the sheet. She moved toward the bathroom, feeling Alex’s eyes on her back.
It was a good feeling.
***
As soon as Alex heard the shower come on, he leaned forward against the wall and whacked his head a couple times against the doorframe.
Well that was almost a disaster, he told himself. The most beautiful, passionate, pleasantly insane woman you’ve ever met has mind-blowing sex with you all night long, and in the morning, you act like a mistrustful jerk and nearly blow everything.
Idiot.
Alex whacked his head once more for good measure.
From the other side of the wall, he heard Juli’s muffled voice over the rush of the shower.
“Did you need something?” she shouted.
“A lobotomy,” Alex muttered, trying not to remember what had happened the last time that shower had been running.
“What?” she yelled again.
“Biscuits and gravy,” Alex shouted back. “I’m going to run down and grab breakfast, okay?”
“Bring me some too! And a side of fruit, okay?”
“Sure,” Alex called.
He loved her. He was pretty sure of it. Even better, he trusted her. Or he was starting to, anyway. That’s more than he’d been able to do with any woman he’d dated in twenty years. It felt pretty damn good.
He moved away from the wall and began hunting for his wallet. He spotted it on the dresser next to Uncle Frank and made a grab for it. He turned and started to tuck it in his back pocket.
Clang!
His elbow hit something hard and metal and he knew without looking it was the urn. He whipped around in time to see it go toppling off the dresser.
“No!”
Over the rush of the shower, he heard her voice. “What?”
The urn fell in slow motion and Alex made a grab for it, his mind whirling with visions of ash and bone fragments. His fingers closed over thin air, and Alex shut his eyes as the urn hit the floor.
Crash.
He opened his eyes slowly. He blinked.
Gold coins. Krugerrand, to be precise, and they were covering the carpet.
“Alex?” Juli called again from the other side of the bathroom door.
He stared at the floor in disbelief. The top of the urn was still sealed, but the bottom had broken open, revealing a hidden compartment. He stared at the coins, dumbstruck. There were at least twenty of them, one-ounce pieces from the look of it. Maybe thirty thousand dollars in gold right there at his feet.
He looked toward the closed bathroom door, heard the splash of the shower on the other side of it. He looked back at the coins.
Jesus. What the hell was Juli playing at here?
“Everything okay?” she called from behind the door.
He blinked at the coins. He swallowed.
“It’s nothing,” he yelled. “Take your time.”
Then he bent to put everything back the way he’d found it.
***
Alex couldn’t stop his mind from reeling. What the hell was she doing with thirty grand in gold coins? Krugerrand, the same sort of coins Tom Portelli had been running as part of his diamond smuggling operation. Was that really a coincidence? Knowing his crooked ex-boss was Juli’s close family friend, could he really believe that?
He wanted to talk to her, but he didn’t have a clue what to say. I dropped your dead uncle and couldn’t help noticing you’re transporting a rather large sum of gold.
As it turned out, there was no time for chitchat. Malcolm showed up early as Juli was still drying her hair, and he hustled them both down to the pier before they had a chance to eat.
“We’re in a bit of a hurry,” Malcolm said as he heaved a giant box of books into one of the cigarette boats. “There was a problem back on Barbados, and I need to return as quickly as possible.”
“Problem?” Alex asked, wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
“Yes, apparently the U.S. Government has an interest in the ship that came to be in our possession recently—something about a criminal investigation—which is rather unfortunate, you see, since we obtained this ship for use in our important future business transactions.”
Alex felt a nerve start to twitch beside his left eye. “So where is the cargo ship now?”
Malcolm shook his head sadly. “It was still there when we left but positively crawling with federal agents. They’ll probably have taken it by the time we return. Such a shame, too. We had already selected a new color to paint it—really, the loveliest shade of blue—so this is quite frustrating.”
Frustrating. Alex sat down hard on a box of books, trying not to lose hi
s cool. Perhaps sensing just how close Alex was to leaping off the end of the pier, Juli touched Malcolm’s sleeve.
“So, Malcolm—the cargo that was on the ship when you, um, obtained it—where is that now?”
Malcolm heaved another box of books into the cigarette boat and dusted his hands off. “Gone.”
“Gone?” Alex croaked.
“Gone,” Malcolm repeated. “All of it. Everything from every cargo hold.”
“But—”
“Really, the government is welcome to it. Certainly we had no use for that sort of cargo. The boat, on the other hand—”
Alex put his head in his hands. Jesus. He’d been holding out hope that maybe, somehow, they’d missed something. They’d been in such a rush after Cody got kidnapped that they hadn’t really searched. He’d been hoping they’d get back on that boat and find some secret nook where the diamonds were hidden. Or maybe he and Jake had just imagined what they’d seen in the cargo hold—
“So, Malcolm,” Juli said, her voice much calmer than the ones screaming in Alex’s brain. “Are you going to be penalized for, well, for stealing the cargo boat?”
Malcolm looked up at her, surprised. “Why, certainly not. We have an agreement with the governments of several nations—the United States included—permitting us to seize any ship we like. Naturally, we must also seize the ones they ask us to, but clearly we have proper authorization.”
Juli and Alex stared at him. Seemingly unconcerned, Malcolm began shifting book boxes around in the boat.
Juli was first to speak. “The U.S. Government?”
“Well of course, my dear,” he said, not looking up from his books. “Occasionally, they have a need to remove certain vessels or cargo from the high seas, and certainly we’re equipped to do that. And of course, we’re allowed to seize other boats as needed for our own personal use.”
“But why—”
“They don’t usually tell us why, my dear,” he said, speaking as though it was the most natural thing in the world. “We’re just pleased to have such a wide variety of vessels at our disposal. It’s a lovely arrangement, really.”
“You’re government sanctioned pirates,” Alex said flatly.
Malcolm laughed and hefted another box. “You didn’t think we’d do this without proper health benefits and government pension plans, did you?”
Alex shook his head, wondering if he should just get it over with and drown himself in the bay.
“I chose the wrong damn career,” he muttered and stood up to retrieve more stolen books from the shed.
Chapter 19
The ride to Barbados was bumpy, and twice Juli had to turn and hurl over the edge of the boat.
Hardly the romantic morning afterglow she’d hoped for.
The roar of the boat’s motor and the crashing of the ocean made conversation impossible, which was just as well. She could tell Alex had slipped back into a dark mood. Whether it was the loss of the cargo ship or something else entirely was anyone’s guess.
Alex squeezed her hand. “You okay?”
She nodded and took a swig from the water bottle he offered her. “I thought I was through being seasick,” she yelled over the roar of the engine. “That I had my sea legs now.”
“Chop like this can make even the saltiest sailor heave,” he reassured her. “See? Even Phillip looks a little green.”
“That’s because Malcolm just hit him in the stomach for suggesting he didn’t need that last box of first-edition botanical illustration books.”
Alex squeezed her knee and looked back at the ocean, his mind clearly a million miles away.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed before land came into view and Malcolm and his brothers began chattering back and forth in complicated boating jargon. Juli stared out at the spot where the cargo boat had been docked just a day ago. Now it was only a grayish swirl of water, an empty hole where Alex’s pension might’ve been.
“You okay, Juli?” Alex called.
“Fine, fine. Just a little queasy still.”
“Go sit down on that bench over there if you want. I’ll be up in just a second and then we can head back to the hotel.”
Juli nodded, not seeing any reason to argue. She wandered over to a concrete slab flecked with bird poop and plunked herself down. She waited, enjoying the view, sipping her water, wondering what the hell she was going to do with her life when this was all over.
She didn’t really plan to be a pirate. It was fun pretending while it lasted, but ultimately, it was make-believe.
Dr. Gordon was right. She needed to grow up, find herself, get a real job, and focus on using her intellect for something besides high-seas thievery.
Law school, maybe?
“All done?” she asked, standing up as Alex approached, looking sweaty and disheveled.
Just like last night, she mused, then pushed the thought out of her mind as she accepted the hand he offered her and allowed him to hoist her to her feet.
“They can get the rest from here,” he said. “Apparently they’ve got some top-secret pirate hideout somewhere nearby.”
“So that’s that,” she said, trying not to notice Alex was still holding on to her hand.
He nodded. His eyes didn’t leave hers. “That’s that.”
“I’d better say good-bye to Malcolm then.” Juli withdrew her hand and walked back to the edge of the dock where Malcolm was barking orders at Phillip and Percy.
“Be careful with that!” he shouted at Percy. “Do you have any idea how valuable a limited edition Madame Bovary is?”
Juli touched his arm. “Hey, Malcolm, we’re heading back to our hotel now. I’m not sure if we’ll see you again, but if we don’t, have a nice life.”
“You too, my dear, you too,” he said, grasping her hands and kissing her quickly on each cheek. “You know, your young friend Cody was quite a help to us last night and this morning. He reorganized the whole kitchen on our ship. And his dry scallops with black sesame pesto and lemon palm sugar glaze—” Malcolm kissed his fingertips. “Superb.”
“I’ll have to get the recipe from him,” Juli said, knowing she’d do no such thing. Maybe that was it. Maybe she should learn to cook.
“My dear, it’s been a consummate pleasure enjoying your company.” He kissed her hands one more time, and Juli responded by giving him a chaste peck on the cheek.
“You too, Malcolm.”
Percy and Phillip dropped the box they were carrying and stood up to flank Malcolm, waiting for their kisses. Juli hesitated, then rose up on tiptoe, kissing Percy first, then Phillip. Both men turned bright pink and looked down at their feet, braced for a blow from Malcolm. He looked at them both, then shook his head and picked up a box.
Juli smiled and rocked back on her heels. “Okay, then,” she said. “Thanks for everything.”
Malcolm nodded at her, then at Alex. “You two take care of each other.”
Alex touched Juli’s elbow. “Of course.”
Malcolm turned and began barking orders at his brothers. Alex looked at Juli, then nodded toward the walkway.
“Shall we?”
“After you.”
They strolled together along the street, headed for the same sunny yellow hotel they’d picked out just a day earlier. Had it really only been that long? It seemed like a lifetime ago. Back when they still had some hope there’d been a point to this whole mission. Juli looked at Alex and sighed.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine. I think I just need to eat something.”
“I’m sure Cody has something marinating or curing or broiling.”
She tried to muster her usual enthusiasm for food but found herself faking a smile instead. Something was off, but she wasn’t sure exactly what.
They walked the rest of the way in silence.
When they finally reached the suite, Alex stuck his key in the lock and pushed the door open.
From across the room, Cody came galloping toward them like
a spaniel with a thyroid problem.
“Hey, guys! How’s it going? Did you have fun in St. Lucia? Did Malcolm tell you about the boat?”
“Hey, Cookie,” Alex said as he slapped Cody on the shoulder and maneuvered around him, making his way toward the kitchenette. Juli watched the rigid set of his shoulders for a moment before turning and standing on tiptoe to kiss Cody on the cheek.
“Hey, Cookie,” she said, following Alex into the kitchen. “It’s been a long night. How are things here?”
Cody beamed at them. “Great. Did Malcolm tell you he offered me a job?”
Alex stuck his head in the fridge and began rummaging around. “A job?”
Cody reached up into one of the cupboards and took down three glasses, handing one to Juli. “I made fresh-squeezed mango lemonade this morning. The pitcher’s there on the top shelf in the fridge.”
Alex came out with the pitcher and filled each of the glasses to the brim. Juli noticed he wasn’t meeting anyone’s eye.
“Fresh mint garnish?” Cody asked.
“Um, thanks.”
Juli smiled. “Thank you.” She waited while Cody anchored the leaves on the edge of each glass before sticking a small paper umbrella in a maraschino cherry and dropping it in the lemonade.
Juli smiled. “We missed you, Cookie!”
“I missed you guys too!”
“So about this job,” Alex said. “What sort of job is it?”
“Oh, Malcolm needs a cook on his pirate ship. It sounds like a pretty good deal, even if Malcolm does make me learn The Canterbury Tales in Old English. And the pay is really good. And he likes my lavender-injected lamb shank with goat cheese and figs.”
Juli beamed at him. “Who wouldn’t?”
She looked at Alex, trying to gauge his reaction to Cody’s news. He took a sip of his lemonade and nodded, then gave Cody another pat on the shoulder.
“That’s great. Congratulations, Cookie. You’ll make a fine cook on a pirate vessel. You’ve already had plenty of practice.”
Cody beamed as he turned to put the lemonade pitcher back in the fridge. “Thanks, Alex. I owe it all to you. I mean, without this experience, I don’t know what I’d do. But now, I’ve really been able to find myself.”
