Free Blood Cruise: A Deep Sea Thriller by Jake Bible Page A

herself like she was used to working hard and being rewarded generously for that hard work.
    “Ms. Romanski,” Nick bowed. “It is an honor to have you here.”
    “The honor is mine, Mr. Sheeran,” Evgeniya Romanski said. “And I was only playing about this being your home.”
    “Maybe it’ll become your home?” Nick grinned.
    “Do not push it, Mr. Sheeran,” she replied. “And call me Niya, please.”
    “I’m Nick, Niya,” Nick said as he took her hand and kissed it. He turned to the other guests. “Oh, I know these three! Carlos, Jessica, Lane. It is great to see you.”
    A short man with dark, pockmarked skin flipped Nick off then laughed.
    “I’m only here because of your friend, Nicky,” Carlos Whittier said. “I do not need another yacht.”
    “You’re right,” Nick said. “You don’t. But, you do need this yacht. You can get rid of those pieces of crap you have docked in Baja. They are nothing compared to the Lucky Sucker.”
    “Horrible name,” Jessica Holstein said.
    Short, with close-cut brown hair and fine, delicate features, Jessica was almost the opposite of Niya. She moved with the grace of a dancer, and would have looked completely at ease in any ballet company in the world, except for the long scar that went from one side of her jaw, down across her neck, and back up to the other side of her jaw.
    “If I buy this thing, I’ll be changing the name instantly,” Jessica said, giving Nick a quick hug and a kiss on both cheeks. “How does Naughty Nicholas sound?”
    “Like I should be honored and insulted at the same time,” Nick chuckled. “Lane!”
    “No,” Lane Garfield said and pushed past Nick. “I’m here to play cards and meet Ben Clow. He is here, right Sheeran? This isn’t another one of your bloody bait and switch capers, is it?”
    “Dude, one bad condo deal and you still give me shit?” Nick asked, looking offended. “Come on, man, we both know that wasn’t my fault.”
    “Wasn’t mine, either, mate,” Lane said. “So there we stand.”
    “Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” Nick said. “I should have researched that Zeus guy better.”
    “Zeus? You did business with a guy named Zeus?” Jessica laughed. “You two deserved to get screwed.”
    “Bite me, Jessie,” Lane said. Average height with thinning brown hair and bright gold eyes, Lane Garfield spoke with a refined British accent that was obviously an artificial cultivation hiding his obvious working class history. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder at the man standing behind him. And the armed men behind the man. “Thought you said no bodyguards and no firearms? Grumpy here brought both.”
    “Yes, I did say that,” Nick said as he turned to the last of the guests and the man’s entourage. “Mr. Giraldi, I am pleased you could make it. But I am afraid I do not have room for your men here. Perhaps they could return to shore with the helicopter? I’d feel a lot better if they did.”
    “No,” Tony Giraldi replied. “Not until they have swept this boat to my satisfaction. I don’t know you, Sheeran, which means I don’t trust you. No offense, but putting my life in the hands of a stranger isn’t exactly how I have become the successful man I am.”
    “I do not know him yet I did not arrive with a small army,” Niya said. “I thought the Italians had more balls than this, Giraldi.”
    “You want to see my balls, Romanski?” Tony snapped.
    “You two know each other,” Nick said cautiously. “Great.”
    “We have had dealings,” Niya said. “They have been pleasant in the past. I am sure Giraldi would like to keep our dealings that way.”
    “Pleasant dealings?” Tony laughed as he licked his lips. “I guess you can call them that.”
    The man was tall and large. Not fat, but certainly heavy and muscular. His accent was a mix of many European countries, but heavier on the Italian side. His black hair was surprisingly long and hung down to his shoulders. The man’s eyes were black