Page 41 of Sailor's Delight
“Is that what you told Trey?”
Casey wouldn’t meet her eyes again.
“That’s what I thought,” she said. Thinking back to her confrontation with Trey, she sighed. “I have bad news for you.”
Casey looked up, his expression alarmed.
“I seriously doubt that Trey is going to come after me, let alone trade his whore’s bauble for me.”
Casey raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? He’s super into you.”
Jenn shook her head. “Nope. I thought so, too. But turns out, he’s been seeing another woman on board this entire time.” She had a sudden realization. “Maybe even before the cruise.” She swore, punching the mud. “I’m pretty sure he bought the bracelet for her.” She laughed without any trace of humor. “In fact, he probably thinks you did him a favor. After what happened last night, I kind of doubt he’s even coming after me.”
***
“I’m going after her!”
Trey flitted around the cabin like an injured hummingbird, opening drawers and closing closet doors as if heexpected something useful to have materialized since the last time he’d looked.
Chloe and Desire sat on the edge of the bed, trying and failing to keep out of the way in the tiny interior cabin.
“Trey, you can’t go after her alone: look at you! You basically have to hop on that ankle.” Chloe’s voice was gentle, pleading.
“What she means to say,” Desire spoke up, glancing at their partner. “Is that this is way more than we signed up for, you’re in no shape to be pursuing a kidnapper, and it’s time to involve the authorities.”
Chloe glanced at Desire. “That’s not what I said, and please don’t put words in my mouth. You know I don’t like it when you do that.”
Desire sighed sharply. “I’m sorry. I’m just not comfortable with this. I was on board with the original plan. This is something else entirely.” They pointed toward the hull of the ship and what lay beyond it. “That’s Mexico out there. You fuck up out there, it’s not exactly a slap on the wrist you’re in for. They don’t mess around.”
“And this is based on what?” Chloe asked, turning to face her partner. “Narcos?”
Desire blushed slightly but continued. “All right, but you know that was based on a true story, right?”
“It wasn’t even based in Mexico! And not every person living south of the United States is in a cartel. You know who you sound like, right?” Chloe glared at Desire, then turned her attention back to Trey.
“That’s not what I was saying,” Desire countered, clearly hurt. “It’s just… not what we agreed to. At all.”
It was Trey’s turn to interrupt. “I know it isn’t, and I’m not asking you to help. But I’m doing this, one way or another. I won’t risk anything happening to Jenn.”
Chloe was nodding. “Of course. And honestly, it’s not that big a deal; whoever it is, they were pretty clear: hand over the bracelet and Jenn goes free.” She gestured at the black velvet bag on the vanity outside the bathroom. “It wasn’t even a huge part of the plan. Just turn it over, get Jenn back, and we’ll take things from there. I still think we can make this work.”
Trey smiled halfheartedly. “Right now, I just need to focus on Jenn.”
Both of the other occupants in the cabin nodded their silent agreement.
***
“So, what happens next?” Jenn asked dejectedly. “We keep pushing on through this sludge until we get to this waterfall I kept hearing so much about?”
Casey chuckled. “No. There’s no way Trey would ever find us there. It’s a legend among the crew because there’s inevitably passengers who try to get there who end up missing the departure. Every damn time.” He laughed again. “No, I just said that so April would come with us.”
“Yeah, she seems nice. I’m gonna kill her,” Jenn said flatly.
Casey laughed out loud, an altogether not unpleasant sound. “Her heart’s in the right place, but you’re right: she isn’tvery bright.” Casey managed to stand upright, this time without his third leg making anything but a subtle appearance behind his shorts. “We should head for the meeting spot.”
“Which is?” Jenn accepted his offered hand to help her up.
“An abandoned sugar processing plant.”