What was her story?

How had they met and how fucked up had their romance been? As bad as mine with Eleanor? Was Elder responsible for the silver scars visible on her forearms as the sun caught her skin? Or had he saved her from the man who’d hurt her?

Eleanor stepped forward and touched Tasmin’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Tasmin. I’m very excited to see more.”

Tasmin jolted but swallowed and smiled politely. “Follow us. We’ll show you how to use your new floating home.” She smiled and stood taller. “There is much to go over. But rest assured, you won’t need to remember it. The staff come with the yacht and are fully trained. Elder sells a complete package so you can enjoy sailing straight away instead of interviewing for suitable crew.”

“And how much is that going to cost me?” I asked, throwing Cal a look over my shoulder as Elder Prest struck off and led us beneath the sail-shaded outdoor area complete with pizza oven, barbeque, spa, huge sitting area, and dining table big enough for a board meeting.

“Their salaries are included in the cost of running, along with fuel required for travel and onboard generators. You have your own internet network, banking system, and security programs. Every computer is encrypted with top-of-the-line software, so no one will be able to hijack your vessel remotely, and there are two bolt rooms that are bullet-proof with enough provisions for two weeks as well as access to motorised escape pods. Along with the obvious staff of chefs, cleaners, captains, and stewards, there are also five guards who are fully trained in the use of weaponry. Calypso is fitted with two cannons, three machine guns, and a few other pieces of armament that I will discuss when we arrive at that particular part of the yacht.”

My eyebrows flew up. “You make it seem like a warship.”

Prest shrugged, escorting us into a massive room with wraparound windows, sunken white lounge suites, retractable skylights showing a cloudless vista, and a blue lacquered piano next to a sparkling bar with untold number of bottles and goblets. “When you are out at sea with no law enforcement or backup, it’s better you are prepared than short-sighted.”

“Have you run into complications like that? Pirates and such?” I’d lived in Indonesia for a while now and heard a few rumours of piracy on trade boats and a few container ships that’d been ransacked. However, no one had dared come near my islands. If they tried to steal from me, they’d be fucking shark food.

Prest’s gaze darkened. He went to shake his head, but Tasmin answered on his behalf. “We have dealt with hostiles boarding our boat.” She threw Prest a shadowy look. “Elder is right. It’s best to be prepared.”

Eleanor frowned but stayed silent. Maybe renting out this yacht to sexual deviances might not be safe, after all.

“This way.” Prest stalked through the lounge and into a wide corridor where natural light streamed in, leading toward another lounge, billiard room, movie theatre, library, dining room, gym, spa room with sauna and steam, yet another impressively sized lounge with artwork and chandeliers, and finally out to the front of the boat where a sunken swimming pool glittered in the sunshine, rattan loungers waited with freshly rolled towels, and two staff members manned a cabana where snacks and drinks could be made.

“The helipad has a dance floor that slides automatically over the landing base. If you entertain, it’s handy to have a space for drunken antics.” Elder flipped a switch by the cabana, activating the silent takeover of the helipad to a perfect wooden stage.

“Parties aren’t really our style,” I muttered as he led us all through another thick waterproof door to a glass elevator that held ten people.

He waited until we all crammed in before pressing a button for the lower decks and descending us through the metal structure of the ship. Uplights and LED strips revealed the mechanical beauty of such a marvel as we sank into its belly.

“Twelve state rooms are all equipped with their own personal bathroom and call button for the butler. They have balconies and individual climate systems. The master is this way.” He waved his hand and bypassed countless doors, leading us toward the front of the vessel beneath the helipad and swimming pool.

Opening the door, he stood to the side and waited until we all trickled in. Cal nudged me on the way past, rolling his eyes at the decadence.

For all the zeros in my bank balance, I had simple tastes. I liked my lighting unobtrusive, my ceilings exposed rafters, and my aircon to be open windows while listening to Nirvana splashing outside.

This yacht screamed money. It dripped with it from every sconce, fluffed pillow, and opulent white rug.

“This is lovely,” Jess said, glancing around the huge master bedroom with its California king bed raised on a platform, the sitting area, private hot tub outside, and the huge windows revealing my islands just out of reach.

“You gave no direction on upholstery or decoration, so we just went with modern trends and unobtrusive palettes. I hope that’s all right.” Tasmin turned to face us. “If you want to change anything, we can provide a trusted decorator.”

“It’s fine.” I smiled. “It’s the epitome of luxury.”

“It’s also safe.” Prest headed to the couch and peeled back a few of the puffy cushions. Reaching down, he pulled out seatbelts. “If the seas are rough, it’s best to strap in. There are seatbelts in all the rooms, in all the beds, and on deck.”

“Looks as if we won’t have to install harnesses, Sinclair.” Cal laughed. “The restraints are already there to stop people from jumping overboard while in the middle of a VR session.”

I threw him a stern look. “Quiet.”

He nodded and shut up about our potential use for this craft.

Prest eyed me but wisely didn’t ask for elaboration. Clearing his throat as if his patience was running out, he said, “Follow me. We’ll go to the helm. I’ll introduce you to your captain, Grant, and he can show you the abundant technology available.”

“Lead the way.” I placed my hand on Eleanor’s lower back.

She shivered, and her eyes lingered on the huge bed.

We’d planned on setting sail in Calypso tomorrow for Rapture. To journey from Indonesia to Tahiti and sample the boat before handing it over to the business over there.

However, now that Prest had delivered early, perhaps we’d leave tonight.

After all, there were a lot of rooms to christen.

And a droplet or two of cinta would help with that.

Kissing Eleanor pointedly on her cheek, I waited until Cal and Jess had followed Elder and Tasmin, leaving us alone for a moment. Radcliffe and Rory had stayed up by the swimming pool, scanning the horizon as they always did for threats.

“I’m sure we could come up with a wicked fantasy to indulge in while we sail around the world.” I spun her into me and kissed her, quick and sharp.

She threw her arms around my neck. “I can think of one.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Standing on tiptoes, she bit my ear, her breath tickling my neck. “An underwater hallucination. Something where we can breathe beneath the waves and look up at a ship like this sailing over our heads all while we fuck on the seafloor.”

“I love your dirty mind.”

“Could you code something like that?”