Touring the Ship

ZANE

Once everyone had found their rooms, I took my sweetheart’s hand and we set off to explore the ship.

We asked Max and Brandon to keep their distance for now, but they trailed behind us for a bit.

We discovered where all the shops were, the casino, and all the different restaurants. Then we strolled up to the top deck.

“Is that a go-kart track on this damn boat?” Conner stopped dead in his tracks.

I laughed and nodded. “Yes, man, that’s why we chose this cruise. We’ve reserved it just for us a few times while we’re here.

“I spoke to the cruise line last night and they said I could, so it’s reserved for tonight, again in two days, and then once more before we disembark. We have it for an hour each time.

“There are also massive water slides at the back of the ship that we can use. This ship has six pools, hot tubs, and a mini water park at the back.

“We’re here to have fun this week, and I made sure that we got the best of the best.”

Conner dashed off to check out the track while we continued our tour of the top deck. Shay paused to gaze out over the rail, her beautiful hair fluttering in the wind.

“This is going to be so wonderful for all of us, Zane. You’ve really outdone yourself this time. Is there anything you can’t do?” she said, her eyes on the water.

I stepped up behind her, wrapping my arms around her.

“Not really, love. Money can buy you anything and everything. You might as well get used to this because this life will be yours from now on.

“You and our child will have everything you want or need for the rest of our lives. We have so much money that cost means nothing to me if you want it.”

She spun around in my arms and planted a kiss on my lips. I deepened it as she clung to me, pulling me as close as she could. Pulling back, I smiled at her.

“You keep doing that and we’ll have to head back to our room for a midday nap, love.” She patted my crotch and turned back to lean against the rail.

I growled in her ear, “You’re a tease—you know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, baby, but I’m enjoying this too much right now to be dragged back to our room for an afternoon quickie. It’ll have to wait for now.

“I’m getting hungry since it’s past one now. Junior down here is demanding food right now, and he doesn’t want to be jostled around before he gets his food.”

Laughing at her comment, I took her hand as we headed back down toward one of the restaurants. “Which one do you want to try this time?” I asked as she surveyed the four we were standing at.

“Any of them will be fine with me. Just pick, and we can try whichever one looks inviting to you this time.”

She scrutinized each one before pulling me into one that was bathed in purple lights. We grabbed a big table for all of us, sat down, and perused the menus.

Suddenly, I had a strange feeling and my eyes darted up, scanning the place. Not seeing anything, I tried to return to the menu, but the feeling wouldn’t leave me alone.

I pulled out my phone and texted Max to sweep the area around us for anyone from the pictures I showed him.

“Boss, is everything okay? You’re acting like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, man.” Noah was also scanning the area.

“A weird feeling just hit me, and I can’t shake it. I could swear someone is watching us, but I don’t see anyone around here. Max said he couldn’t find anyone either.

“Maybe I’m just nervous about all of this since he disappeared. None of our contacts have been able to locate him.”

Just then, Forest walked up to the table and joined us. “Sorry I’m late. We couldn’t find the damn floor you rented out for us. This place is huge.”

Shay jumped up and gave him a big hug. “I wasn’t told you were coming on this with us.”

He chuckled as he hugged her back. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. A week’s vacation paid for? I’d be stupid not to accept this invitation.”

“How many men did you bring with you?” I asked, not looking up from my menu.

“Twenty in total. They’re sharing ten rooms, with two queen beds you got for us. I’m on the same floor as you but about five rooms down in a very nice suite, thank you for that.

“Your men had all the rooms around you, so we just went down the hall some and got the next set of rooms.”

I smirked since we’re getting along so well with each other, and my eyes still scanned over the menu, trying to find something I wanted to eat. A waitress came over to take our drink order.

“I’ll take a bottle of Jack Daniels and whiskey for the table, please,” I said, ordering for the men.

Her eyes landed on my sweetheart. “What can I get for you, miss?”

“A strawberry milkshake and a Diet Coke, please.”

“Would you like alcohol in that shake?”

“No, thank you, just regular, please.”

Forest looked over at her. “You’re gaining weight, princess. How’s the pregnancy going for you?”

“Ugh! I’m tired all the time, and then it seems like every four hours, I have to eat because I’m starving.

“I dread what the next six months are going to be like with this baby. I already have to use the bathroom more and more, so I can imagine how much worse it’s going to get.”

The waitress brought our drinks and we ordered our meals. That feeling never left me as we sat there chatting and eating our food.

“Forest, this feeling of being watched is getting worse. Can a few of your men do a quick sweep for me? I don’t know if I can’t relax or what’s going on here.

“Conner, can you check the cameras? See if there’s a signal piggybacking on them. Someone might be spying on us.”

“Sure thing, boss,” he replied, pulling out his phone and getting to work.

Forest sent a few of his guys to sweep the perimeter, but they didn’t find anything. Conner showed me his phone. “There’s a signal, but I need my computer to trace its origin.”

I gave him a nod, and he left for his room to dig deeper. Meanwhile, I decided to take my girl out for a bit, let her explore the shops.