Page 88 of Fire and Ice Cruise

“You bet,” I say, and Ransom gives me the side-eye.

We all share a quick laugh as she glides down the gangway, head held high and ready to conquer whatever comes next.

Before we can catch a breath, Holland appears, wheeling her suitcase with both hands, her face looking grim. The silk dress from last night has been replaced by jeans and a matching blue sweater, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. She looks younger, smaller if that’s possible, and very much devastated.

Marina and I head her way before she can escape.

“Holland,” I say gently.

She stops, lets out a long sigh, and shrugs. “I can’t believe this is my life.”

“I’m so sorry,” Marina says, and I can tell she means it.

“Believe me, I’m sorry too.” Holland’s eyes are red-rimmed, exhausted. “Silas and I built everything together. The business. The Society. Our whole reputation. And now…” She trails off, shaking her head. “Now I get to figure out who I am without him. I guess that’s my real second act.”

“You’ll be okay,” I tell her, because I genuinely believe it. “You’re stronger than you think.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.” Holland manages a weak smile. “I guess I’ll find out if it’s true.”

She squeezes both our hands and continues down the gangway, pulling her life behind her in a rolling suitcase.

But before Marina or I could process anything, the sound of heels clip-clopping from across the deck makes me groan before I even turn around.

“Now what?” I mutter.

Quinn approaches in full uniform, looking official and slightly smug. Marina and I exchange looks before heading over to where she’s stopped in front of Ransom.

And just like that, everyone circles around. Wes, Elodie, Bess, Nettie, all of us sensing something’s about to happen.

“Chief Baxter,” Quinn says formally, and my stomach drops. “I made a request to corporate after you saved my life last night.” She pulls an envelope from her jacket and hands it to Wes. “This was their response.”

Wes opens it, reads the contents, and his expression goes carefully neutral. He looks at Ransom with something I can’t quite read.

“Oh no,” I mutter.

“Say it ain’t so,” Bess whispers.

“It ain’t so,” Wes says, waving the paper at Ransom with a grin that breaks through his somber composure. “You’ve been reinstated effective immediately. Full position, full pay, and a bonus as an apology for the inconvenience.”

Bess, Nettie, and I let out a collective whoop loud enough to make the captain wish he had earplugs in his pocket.

We jump up and down and grab Ransom in a group hug that nearly knocks him over, laughing and squealing and generally making a scene. When we pull back, Nettie is wrapped around Ransom like a vine, her face buried against his neck.

“Is she biting him?” Marina asks with a wince.

“Down, Vampira.” Bess plucks her off.

Elodie grunts. “If I’d known we could take a nibble, I would have at least nipped his ear.” She winks my way. “Kidding.”

“The important thing is that we’re all back together again,” I say, pulling Marina in close. “And then some.”

“So, Captain,” Tinsley says, her voice lifting with forced enthusiasm, “where are we off to next?”

Quinn nods. “I’d like to know that myself, so I can notify the police.” She looks directly at me. “I’m teasing.”

She takes a moment to narrow her eyes at me in a way that suggests she’s absolutely not teasing.

Wes clears his throat. “We’re repositioning back to Copenhagen. Then it’s off to see a few of the Baltic capitals.”