Page 75 of Lord of Debauchery

“Mmm… That’s very good to hear, sweet Ken-ya.”

Why was he over-pronouncing my name? I turned back toward the ocean waters, trying my best not to stare at him. He was getting at something. What? Why? The questions were right there on the tip of my tongue, but I was terrified I wouldn’t want to know the answers. We both stood quietly for a few minutes doing nothing but enjoying the scenery and the chilled champagne. The bubbles tickled my tongue and lips, but it was the news that continued to sweep through my mind.

Even though I feared the change in his tone, his voice was still as if I’d been swaddled in the softest blanket, held close to keep me warm.

“We’re going to have a feast. I’m certain you’re very hungry,” he said as he crowded my space, pressing the full weight of his body against me.

“I can’t lie. I am.”

“Please, never lie to me. That’s vital for our continuing relationship.”

Another clue. I was swimming in too many of them. “I won’t. I promise you that.”

“Good girl. I like to hear such strong conviction in your voice. Especially since you’ve become very important to me. In fact, I do plan on keeping you in my life always.”

It was a romantic yet strange passage for him to say, the overriding feeling he was picking me apart still there. Still painful. Still… unnerving. I only hoped that when he did learn the truth about who I was, he could learn to forgive me.

“What happens when people lie to you?” I was crazy for asking.

Once again, I was rewarded with a whole lot of quiet. I couldn’t even tell for certain the man was breathing. He pulled me close, using his face to push my long strands of hair to the side. After biting my earlobe, he chuckled.

“Simple, my sweet. They die.”

CHAPTER 20

Beckham

The steward scurried from one side of the table to the other, refilling our wineglasses as he’d done four times during the course of our dinner. It was the last of bottle number two, a fine vintage that little did she know or care cost more than most people made in a year. Meanwhile, the chef looked on lovingly. The man had been in my employ for some time. His father had also served as executive chef to my father during his regime.

Kenya looked even more exquisite in the flickering light of the candles. At least her extreme fear that I’d seen more than once appeared to be gone. But she remained cautious around me even though we’d engaged in some fairly lively conversation. What I found fascinating was that she seemed to know much more about the makeup of the yacht than she wanted to let on.

Perhaps that would make sense since oligarchs were usually into purchasing big boats. They were the kind of brutal men who believed they deserved the finer things in life.

I leaned back in my chair, shifting it until I could comfortably cross my legs. Meanwhile, she was toying with the rim of her crystal stem, running her finger around and around, able to make it sing a sweet melody. Yes, she was far too comfortable in remaining the quiet, almost impassive dinner companion.

She shifted her attention to the outside, taking a deep breath as she studied the grand, vivid colors of the sunset.

“Have you ever spent several nights on Lady Blue?” It was another question coming from left field. Perhaps she was well adept at altering the conversation to best suit her needs. She slowly lifted her gaze when I wasn’t quick to answer, a sly but adorable smile crossing her face.

“I have many times. It’s a perfect vessel to head to the Bahamas in.”

“Why not the real Caribbean?”

“I’ve been there too.”

Easing closer, she placed her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand.

“I’ve also been to Mexico.”

“Where haven’t you gone?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Russia.” Yes, I was baiting her. I wasn’t certain why since I wasn’t having any fun doing so. My mother had always warned me about playing with my food and that’s exactly what I considered her at this point.

A delicious treat for my discernable palate.

Sighing, I drummed my fingers on the table, looking back at the chef and nodding. It was time for the man to leave us alone, signaling everyone but the captain that beginning right now was our private time. I was still determined to spend the night on the water, which would allow me to unlock all the delicate secrets she held tightly knit around her, keeping them interwoven with the armor she’d carefully crafted.

Hell, I would have done the same.

---