Page 150 of Claim Me
We follow him below deck, and the atmosphere shifts immediately. It’s cooler, more intimate, with soft lighting and warm wood finishes. The main cabin opens into a compact but well-designed living space, with a small galley to one side and a comfortable seating area that feels more like a private lounge than part of a boat.
He leads us further in, showing the sleeping quarters. The bedroom is surprisingly spacious, with a wide bed, soft linens, and subtle ambient lighting built into the walls. Everything is arranged efficiently, from the built-in wardrobes to the glass surfaces, giving the space a calm, almost hotel-like feel.
Right next to it, he shows us the bathroom, compact but just as refined, with a glass-enclosed shower and polished fixtures that make it feel more spacious than it really is.
Veyron shows us everything, clearly enjoying himself.
Then we head back to the living area, where the snacks he mentioned are already set out. It’s a light, elegant spread: thinly sliced prosciutto with melon, soft cheeses with fresh figs, delicate finger sandwiches with smoked salmon and cream cheese, and chilled shrimp with lemon wedges.
"Wow," I mutter, noticing neatly arranged berries and a bottle of crisp white wine resting in an ice bucket, everything laid out with careful attention to detail. "You really went all out. Thanks, man."
"I’ve got exceptional guests!" Veyron says with satisfaction, giving another bow, this time playful and courteous.
"Thank you, everything looks great," Blue says politely.
"I suggest you head out right after you eat, no point wasting this weather. Tomorrow there might be some clouds, but still no storm, so you’re good."
"Thanks, Veyron. It’s really great to get away and relax, especially after everything that’s happened."
"Yeah, yeah," Veyron grins, clapping me on the back. "And me? I’ll be spending the weekend in the office fixing components on a few displays… very romantic weekend."
"But productive," Blue says in his usual tone.
"That’s a good point!" Veyron chuckles.
"Are you staying for the meal?" I ask.
"No, no. Have fun. I’ll be back tomorrow around eight for the keys."
"Alright, and don’t overwork yourself."
"You know me."
Veyron waves and disappears up toward the deck, his footsteps fading across it and down the gangway.
Blue and I remain by the table.
"Shall we eat?" I ask.
Blue nods, and we sit down.
The snacks disappear quickly, at least from my plate, because they’re excellent. Blue eats more sparingly, glancing around the space as he does.
"Nice yacht, right? Although you probably have a bigger one."
"I do, but I lent it to my brother. I rarely use it. This one is more… cozy. Less conspicuous, which is a plus."
"That’s true. It’s not huge, but it’s spacious enough to feel comfortable. Veyron once invited me and Marlow, plus two of my half-brothers, Denver and Dallas. We all fit."
Blue keeps eating, slowly picking at a piece of melon.
Then suddenly he says,
"What do you expect from me here, Gabriel?"
I freeze, completely caught off guard by how direct the question is.
"Uh… what do you mean? I don’t have any specific expectations. Just a relaxing trip on the yacht. We’ll watch the sunset, eat something good… maybe swim?"
