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"Why, because it's too revealing? I told you that I'm not a prude. I'm just reserved."
The more accurate term was repressed but reserved sounded better. It indicated a choice rather than a problem.
"It's too small on you, as was the beautiful dress you wore last night. You could barely breathe in it. I'm sure we can find nice stores in Puerto Vallarta where you can find evening wear for the next five weddings. You also need everyday clothing and other personal items."
He was right. She needed to buy new underwear, a couple of T-shirts and leggings, and maybe a pair of flip-flops. As for evening gowns, though, she wasn't sure she had the budget for that.
Lynda's bachelorette party had demolished her savings, so whatever she bought would have to be on a credit card, but she hated having a balance that carried over. She always paid off the card so she wouldn't have to pay the insane interest banks charged on credit card debt.
Then again, she didn't want to have to wear the same dress to all five events, and none of Frankie's other dresses fit her.
But what about the cartel thugs?
Kevin, otherwise known as Kalugal, had thralled and compelled them to change their ways, but she didn't really trust that it would hold, and Puerto Vallarta was not a big place. Someone from the yacht might recognize her. Heck, she could even bump into Alberto.
Actually, that wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Now that she was sober, and the drug was no longer making her giddy for no reason, she wanted to punch the scumbag in the face, and with Negal as backup she could do that with impunity.
A smile tugged at her lips. "I will take you up on your offer, the one about going shopping with me." She tagged on the last part in case he misunderstood her meaning.
"Great." He pushed to his feet. "I hope you can borrow something to wear, though. I'm not taking you to Puerto Vallarta wearing that." He waved a hand over her attire.
Margo laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it. But I can't go right away. I told you that I need to check on my friends first." She chewed on her lower lip. "Would it be okay if I brought Jasmine along? The poor girl is stuck on the lower decks. I'm sure she would love to get out of there and go shopping."
Negal looked as if she had fed him a sour lemon. "Whatever makes you happy is fine with me, but Kian might have a problem with her leaving the ship. You will have to ask him if it's okay to take her."
Kian was the big boss, who Mia had said was intimidating when he was in a good mood and scary when he was irritated.
"I've heard that he's not an easy guy to talk to."
Negal arched a brow. "The courageous Margo who was willing to take on the cartel for her friend is afraid of a guy with a bit of a grumpy attitude?"
"Well, yes. I was supposed to mingle last night, and Mia was supposed to introduce me to him, but someone lured me out onto the terrace and then carried me to my cabin, and I missed my opportunity. Where am I even going to find him?"
"I'm sure Mia can help you with that, and when you meet Kian, you can tell him that someone is at fault for preventing you from introducing yourself last night, and it is not you."
53
KAREN
"Karen, sweetheart, it's time to wake up."
"Just a few minutes longer." Karen lifted her hand and patted Gilbert's cheek without opening her eyes.
They had stayed late at the party, dancing and drinking and enjoying themselves. The little ones had been sleeping in Cheryl's bedroom when they came back to the cabin so, of course, they had also made love, and Karen was still a mere human and deserved proper rest.
"The kids are demanding to see their mommy. I kept them from barging in here and waking you up for as long as I could, but Idina is throwing a tantrum, and the boys are crying."
With a sigh, Karen forced her eyes to open. "Let them in here. They can climb in bed with me and watch some kid shows. I don't have the energy to get up." She let her eyelids drop and turned on her side.
"Are you okay?" Gilbert asked.
"Just tired," she murmured.
"Okay. I'm going to open the door. Brace yourself."
Karen smiled. One of the best things in life was having her kiddos jump on her in the morning. Their slobbery kisses and tight hugs were the best way to wake up.
