The Wrong Gentleman(18)

My gaze fell on the four people following Walt—two men and two women. Were they two couples or was one of them Walt’s significant other? One of the men slid his arm around one of the women and pecked her cheek. Okay, so it looked like they were a couple.

“Captain,” Walt said. “Happy to have you on the team.” Walt’s gaze darted to me and I smiled my warmest, most professional smile. “Thank you for agreeing to take the helm of the Sapphire.”

“It’s my honor,” the captain said. “We have a great team for you.”

Before the captain could turn to introduce me, Walt had fixed his smile on me. “I see you have found some very beautiful people to work with you, Captain.”

“This is Skylar, the best stewardess I’ve ever worked with.”

“And you know how I like to be surrounded by the best.” Walt finally broke our gaze and nodded at the captain.

“Anything you need, just ask,” I said, keeping my smile wide and professional.

“I’ll remember that,” he replied.

He made his way down the lineup, shaking hands with the crew.

“Skylar,” he called from where he stood by Landon and Marge. “Please show me aboard.”

I glanced at Captain Brookes, who gave me the nod, and I stepped out of line to join Walt.

“May I take your briefcase?” I asked, deliberately avoiding Landon’s gaze.

“You may not, but please arrange for our luggage to be collected from the end of the dock.”

“It’s already done, sir,” I said, leading the way onto the main sundeck.

“Oh yes, ‘sir.’ I do like that. What else am I going to like about you, Skylar?”

The sliding doors into the main saloon opened and we stepped through. “Everything, I hope, sir. I want your stay to be the best you’ve ever had.”

“Well, you’re setting the bar mighty high,” he replied.

Before I had the chance to respond, Walt pulled in a deep breath. “Good, the decorator has freshened things up in here,” Walt said. “How’s the rest of it looking?”

“It’s a beautiful yacht, Mr. Williams.”

“Please. I prefer Walt. Or sir. But yes, she is beautiful, isn’t she? The best you’ve worked on?”

“Absolutely,” I lied. It certainly wasn’t the worst, but some of the charter yachts I’d worked on were bigger and more glamorous.

“Good. Have you worked in yachting long?” He handed me his now-empty cocktail glass and sipped on the champagne he’d taken from August.

“About eight years, sir.”

“And before that?”

“I was back home in Ohio.”

“I took you for more of a California girl,” he said. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but I decided to take it as a compliment.

“Thank you. And you’re a Texas man from what I understand?”

“Born and bred.”

“You get back often?” I asked. Life in Texas must be very different to life on board a luxury superyacht.

“Not as much as I’d like. But it’s where my heart is.” He rested his palm on his shirt.

I smiled, warmed by how down-to-earth he seemed and continued our tour.

We stopped by the kitchen, spoke to the chef, and Walt made a point of speaking in French, which seemed to genuinely impress Chef. And me.

“Okay, I’m going to freshen up, and then I’d like some lunch,” Walt said as we exited the kitchen.

“Of course. As you saw, Chef has all your favorite dishes on the menu.”

“Thank you, Skylar.”

“Thank you. Let me know if there’s anything you need.” My smile was genuine. Walt seemed like a great guy. Respectful of the crew, down-to-earth, and friendly. My day—my summer—was looking up.





Ten





Landon


Portside of the top deck, I bit down on an apple and watched as sailing boats passed us heading out of the marina. My shift didn’t start for twenty minutes, and I was taking the opportunity to listen in on a conversation Walt was having in the hot tub with one of his male guests, Bob. Spying wasn’t part of my brief—all I had to do was report everyone’s comings and goings—but it was in my nature to over deliver. And anything I could do to stop the bad guys from killing people. It wasn’t as if I didn’t know how to cover my tracks and not get caught.

I’d not heard anything interesting so far. The two of them were talking about Walt’s oil business.

“Have you heard from the new client?” Walt asked just as the wind changed direction and the voices became muffled.

I stepped closer to the bow so I could hear better.

“Thursday, I think. And then I think we’ll need a trip. It’s not like these guys can enjoy life in the Med without going detected.”

Shit. Which Thursday?

“Will they come onto the yacht?” Walt asked. “It’s very private. We can bring them out by tender.”

“We don’t get to call the shots on this one. Going on what my contact has told me, they will want to do a social dinner. So it doesn’t look like a meeting. You know, with wives and girlfriends. It’s all about building trust. These guys don’t make friends easily.”