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“We shall head there, indeed,” Bess says.
A dark laugh bubbles from Nettie. “And I bet that’s where the body is hiding.”
“The only body hiding there is Ransom,” Wes says, looking my way. “I’ve asked him to keep an eye on things in the event a disturbance crops up. That crowd is known for stirring up its fair share of discord.”
We leave the party on the promenade deck and make our way to the Diamond Lounge in search of society’s newfound outcasts that have procured the ritziest room on the ship for themselves.
I’m giddy from head to toe as we head that way, but it’s not the Cancel Culture Club I’m excited to see. It’s Handsome Ransom and those steely blue eyes of his.
As much as I’d rather keep my birthday suit a mystery for as long as possible, here’s hoping the only body I stumble upon tonight is his.
Although, I’ve got a dark feeling in my creaky bones that begs to differ.
The briny scent of the sea might be in the air, but for reasons unknown to me, I smell murder afoot as well.
CHAPTER 2
The Diamond Lounge is spacious and boasts expansive views of the Pacific through a wall of windows.
The sun just dipped over the horizon, leaving the sky lit up in tangerine flames. The water in the distance looks silver before shifting to gradient shades of navy. Some say there’s nothing to see out there, but as an artist, I say it’s the best view in the world. Both the sky and the sea make me want to swim in them tonight.
The interior of the Diamond Lounge consists of both sparkling onyx granite floors and walls. A row of crystal chandeliers illuminates the room, and there are small standing height tables interspersed about where thickets of bodies congregate. Light rock music streams from the speakers, and the scent of something fried and tangy tickles our senses from the buffet set up next to the bar. But it’s the people who steal the scene. With an equal mix of men and women, each and every person in the room looks far more polished and sparkling than the onyx or the chandeliers.
“Wes, are you sure these people have been canceled?” I ask Captain Crawford as we step into their midst. “They look as if they’re at the top of their game.”
Tinsley scoffs my way. “These people are made of money. Just because society has turned its back on them doesn’t mean they’ve been thrown out on the streets.”
“I’ll say.” Bess chuckles. “If they’re taking a pleasure cruise to ease their troubles, they ain’t got troubles.”
“They’ve got trouble, all right,” Nettie says, twitching her nose left and right. “I smell murder afoot.”
That’s funny because I just had the very same thought before we left the promenade. It looks as if I’m rubbing off on Nettie. Here’s hoping she doesn’t garner the ability to see the dead or we’ll have a real problem on our hands. Although, something tells me Nettie would enjoy mingling with a spirited specter or two.
Wes leans back to get a better look at her. “Nettie, you do realize that if something nefarious happens, I’d have to report what you’ve said.”
Nettie waves him off. “That’s because you’re a tattletale.”
“Don’t worry, Nettie,” a deep voice strums just as a pair of strong arms wraps themselves around my waist from behind and I turn to see daring blue eyes penetrating right through to my soul. “The only person Wes reports to is me.” He winks my way. “Speaking of reports, I’m going to have to write you up. You look stunning this evening.”
I bite down on a smile, my cheeks burning with fire as both a chill and a thrill ride down to my toes.
“This old thing?” I give the blue gauzy dress I’m wearing a quick pinch. “I’d hardly call it stunning.”
“I hadn’t noticed you were wearing clothes.” His lips curl a notch.
Are we back on the topic of my birthday suit?
Speaking of which, I glance down to comment on his throwback accouterments and stop short.
“You changed,” I marvel at the fact. He must have gone straight to his cabin once we parted ways, seeing that it wasn’t more than fifteen minutes ago. “And so quickly, might I add.”
“I did?” He looks down at his dark suit and his shining silver tie. “It’s the first thing I put on this morning. I’ve been in meetings ever since. This crowd is testing my team already.” He nods to the bar. “I’d better head back.” He lands a heated kiss to my lips. “I had a great time in Honey Hollow with you.”
“At least you remember it this time,” I tease and he looks momentarily perplexed.
Something catches his eye at the bar once again and I follow his gaze to see his partner, Quinn Riddle.
Quinn has long dark hair and piercing green eyes, and an overall cold disposition in life. She’s a no-nonsense gal that packs heat. She’s definitely someone who you wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. And ever since Ransom has shown more than a little interest in me, I seem to have landed on her bad side. It seems to be a petty theme with the women who are even remotely attracted to him, and seeing that just about every woman on board is wildly attracted to him, paints me as enemy number one.
