“I like specifics. They make me feel comfortable. I’m also Lillith’s travel companion, so it’s my job to be concerned for her safety. She’s in a position to be targeted, you know? She’s vulnerable.”
“Given her wealth? Yes. Everyone is after the old widow’s billions. Even my fiancée. Especially my fiancée, I’ve come to realize. Sadly.”
Poppy blinks. Patrick is being awfully candid.
“Lilli really should travel with proper security—evenyoucould be a threat, Poppy. Especially on a boat like this. Arrabella thinks so.”
Blood drains from her head. Her mind flashes back to Arrabella with the Tan Man. What if they’re in cahoots against her, not against Lillith? Could they be scheming to eliminate her because they see her as a “threat”?
She casts another glance back at the railing. Lillith and the stranger have now taken a seat at a small table near the railing, and a server has brought them drinks. Poppy pushes her chair back and rises.
“Don’t, Poppy,” Patrick says. “Just let them be awhile. The man seems charming enough—allow her the attention.”
She hesitates, then settles back into her chair, but she positions it so she can better observe Lillith.
“Do you care for her, Patrick?”
He inhales and runs his hand over his hair. “Fact is, I do, yes. Rather deeply. I might be the only one who doesn’t want a penny from her.”
“Why?”
“Long story. Private.” He meets her gaze. “But believe me. It’s true.”
“Why should I believe you? You just basically accused me of being a gold digger.”
“Well, you might be, I don’t know. Arrabella is pretty certain you are.”
“And where is Arrabella now?”
He gives a disinterested shrug.
Poppy glances toward the exit, mentally recalculating—Arrabella’s absence and Patrick’s inebriation present an opportunity to dig for more information.
“Did you guys really not know Lillith would be on theBlack Orchid?” she asks.
“Wouldn’t be here if I did. Arra tricked me into coming.”
“So why did she do it?”
“Feels my presence under my stepmother’s nose will remind Lilli how badly my father shortchanged me and it’ll guilt her into either paying me off, or garner me a guarantee that I’ll be written intoherwill.” A fiercelight suddenly crackles into his eyes, and his voice turns cool and oddly sharp. “I don’t want a penny of the old bastard’s money, and when that sinks into Arra’s skull, she won’t stick with me.”
“Oh, Patrick, I’m not—”
“I’m certain of it.”
Poppy sips her drink—admittedly a very good cognac—and a soft buzz wraps around her as she absorbs this new revelation.
“Besides, I think she’s having an affair,” Patrick says.
“What?” She lowers her glass.
“With someone on the ship.” He takes another swig, his knuckles whitening as his grip tightens on the glass. “She tricks me onto the cruise while she fucks someone else she’s brought along for the ride.” He curses viciously.
A chill crawls down her spine. Poppy is no stranger to men turning violent with too much booze in their bellies.
“Are you sure, Patrick?” she asks cautiously. “I mean, how do you know he’s actually on the ship?”
“I saw him. At the bar. Mr. Mega Muscles with tinted shades and a fucking flower in his lapel. He texted Arra earlier. She hid it from me. And I saw him leaving the bar to follow Arra. Now she’s claiming to have a headache and has allegedly gone back to the suite.” He gulps his drink. “She’s always been a bit of a demon for rough sex, and I probably don’t deliver for her in that department.”
