Page 24 of Terminal Voyage

“That’s kind of a depressing thought.”

Kate shrugged and took another sip, then looked over at the poker table with disdain. “Look at those assholes. Just going about their lives without a care in the world.”

“Aren’t we supposed to go through life, living in the present without worry?”

“Touché,“ she replied with a grin. “Maybe I’m just bitter.”

In my drunken stupor, I started to put it all together.

“Hey, Jimmy,” Declan shouted. “Bring us another round.”

“You got it.” He poured the drinks, then excused himself and delivered them to the table.

It didn’t take a genius to see what had upset her. I leaned close to Kate and asked, “Okay. Which one did you have an affair with?”

She smiled. “Now you’re asking the right questions.”

11

Ichatted with Kate for a bit, then excused myself and made a trip to the restroom. When I got back to the bar, Kate was gone. Jimmy had brought another round to the poker table, but I didn't see Luciano either.

It was late, and I didn't need any more to drink. I staggered back toward my stateroom, holding onto the handrail as I plunged down the companionway to the main deck. I stepped onto a side deck and leaned against the gunwale, taking in the fresh air.

I'd had more to drink than I realized.

The moonlight glowed the water, and fluffy clouds drifted in the night sky. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon ahead, and it looked like we would be heading into the thick of it.

I left the side deck, stumbled into the foyer, and found my way into the galley. The place was empty. The staff had all clocked out for the evening.

I rooted through the refrigerator. The chef had made numerous sandwiches and snacks for those seeking midnight rations. I found what resembled a sliced turkey sandwich and gobbled it down. I needed something to soak up all this alcohol, or tomorrow would be painful.

I guzzled a bottle of water, then ambled down to my stateroom. As I rounded the corner, I saw Kate and Luciano.

I huddled out of sight, peering down the hallway.

Luciano escorted the stunning redhead into his room, then pulled the hatch shut. Kate had been cagey about who her illicit romance was with, but I figured it had to be Luciano. He was quite the player.

With Sophia still deep into the poker game and enthralled by Sebastian, Luciano had a little time to himself. But it was a bold move to take a woman back to his stateroom with his wife on board. Surely there was some other place they could have stolen away to. Maybe Sophia knew better than to come back to the stateroom too early. Maybe she had plans with Sebastian. Who knows? It was none of my business.

I weaved down the corridor and held up at the hatch to Luciano’s stateroom, listening.

I didn’t hear anything, but I figured it wouldn’t be long before they were going at it. Or maybe they just went back to the room totalk.

I continued aft, found my key, and unlocked my door. I pushed inside, locked the hatch, and stepped into the en suite. I went through an abridged version of my nightly routine, then peeled out of my clothes and climbed into bed.

The room spun.

I tried to make the best of it and finally passed out.

A flash of lightning and a crack of thunder jolted me awake a few hours later. The boat pitched and rolled with the storm. Rain poured down.

This was more than a little mild weather.

The drinks had already made me unsteady. I didn’t need the rolling deck to compound matters.

My heart thudded my chest. Another nightmare had slicked my skin with sweat. Earl Vernon Maddox had a knife to my throat. I’d been having variations of that dream since the incident.

A scream filtered through the bulkhead.