Page 2 of Demon On Deck

“Who says I’m not?”

Mel huffs out a breath. “It’s awfully quiet. Are you already confining yourself to your room?”

The eye roll is instant.

”No. I just came to call and check in, then unpack.”

There’s a rustling noise as Mel moves around on the other end of the phone.

“It says here that the welcome mixer starts at five p.m. That gives you two hours to get unpacked and changed.”

I scrub a hand down my face.

“Do you have a copy of my itinerary? And what makes you think I need to change?”

“Of course I have a copy of your itinerary. I need to make sure you make the most of this damn cruise. And as far as changing, you can’t go to the mixer in flip flops, jean shorts, and a t-shirt that says Rabid Mongoose with a skeletal hand shooting the bird,” she says dryly.

“How did you know?” I ask half-amused, half-annoyed.

She huffs out an agitated sigh, “Because it’s your favorite outfit. Now, if you look in your suitcase, you’ll find the itinerary. It says here that attire is cocktail.”

Balls.

With a huff, I walk to where my suitcase is and rummage until I find said itinerary. Mel has been oh so kind and highlighted all of the activities. By color-coded system. Red for ones I have to attend because she paid for them. Blue for ones that are already included in the cruise, green for things she thinks I’d enjoy, and yellow for things I won’t.

Great.

“Come on, Kallie. Give this a real shot. You have been suffering for two years now. This is something you’ve more than earned after what that jackass has put you through. Plus, it’s making me happy that I was able to do this because I am celebrating just as much as you are,” she says softly.

Damn her, she always knows how to hit me right in the feels.

“I know. And I love you for it, and I really do appreciate it.”

“Good, now go freshen up and change. Call me tomorrow. Love you.”

“Love you,” I say before hanging up.

After a quick shower, I slip into one of the cocktail dresses Mel insisted I bring, smoothing the snug green lace over my curves and patting down the few wayward strands of hair. Slipping on my shoes and grabbing my clutch, I head out the door.

Time to embrace the adventure.

Chapter 2

Why Am I Here

EVREN

“Can I pour you another, sir?”

I’ve been staring into the bottom of my glass, hoping it’ll open a portal to the hell realm I can disappear into. That would be preferable to this circus on the sea I’m currently sitting on.

Echoes of my mother’s voice ring in my ears

“You never relax.” “When’s the last time you took a vacation?” “You’re never going to find a mate if you don’t get out of the office.” “You’re always so busy, come on the cruise with us.” “It’ll be fun!”

Fun. Sure, it might have been fun had my parents not bailed on me at the last minute. Bailed isn’t really the right term. It’s not their fault that their flights from overseas got delayed and they missed their connection. It just would have been nice to have known that prior to the ship setting sail…with me on it…for ten fucking wretched days.

Had I known, I’d have disembarked and headed home. Of all the “relaxing” things we could have done for a family vacation, a cruise doesn’t even make the list.