Page 15 of My Boyfriend Bites

“Apparently not, sir.”

It was frustrating and oddly refreshing to have a woman not fall easily into his arms. Even without using his vampiric power of persuasion, the opposite sex had a tendency to throw themselves at him—usually naked and eager.

But not Selene.

Her pride had her determined to not accept his gift or his company. Therefore, he did something rare. He sought her out.Brought himself to the crowded dining hall, a veritable buffet of blood had he chosen to partake. Only he didn’t come to eat but to persuade.

It didn’t work. A good thing he’d devised a backup plan.

Upon leaving Selene and her soaked cabin, he returned to his suite and glanced at Rennie working on the laptop. “Good job with the flooding. I take it you weren’t seen?”

“I’m not a newbie,” scoffed Rennie. “The folks in the cabin above were gone to dinner. Wasn’t all that hard to shove a washcloth down the toilet and flush it.”

“And you bribed the person who upgraded her to not say a word?”

“The man could have been bought for half the price.”

“Excellent.”

Rennie put his laptop aside. “This seems like an awful lot of effort for a woman who seems uninterested.”

“She’s interested.” The perfume of her desire when around him made that clear.

“If you say so. And where is she now?”

“In her new suite.” Alone. Because she’d refused his company.

“Putting the reluctant lady aside for a moment, how goes the real reason we’re on board?”

“Thus far, I’ve located three compromised crew members.” By compromised, he meant they were most likely accomplices to some pirates acting in the area. “And you?”

A grimace tugged Rennie’s features. “Nothing pertaining to our task. Although, if you need drugs, I know who to speak with.”

“A passenger list of those partaking would be more useful.” Those under the influence were more susceptible to his brand of hypnosis, where he could convince them nothing happened. Thehickey on their neck with two pinpricks? Spider bite or a really fun and sexy time with someone they didn’t recall.

“I figured you might, hence why I’ve jotted down a few room numbers.” Rennie pointed to a note pad on the table. “Of those you located, any of them spill when we should expect trouble?”

“Alas, the crew members I questioned thus far didn’t have an exact time or date, just that it would happen during this voyage.” Which currently had six days left. “Tomorrow, we dock in Costa Maya.”

“Need anything from the locals?” Rennie asked, seeing as how Dante would be ensconced in his dark room during the daylight stop.

“No, but if you could keep an eye on Selene, I’d appreciate it. It’s not unheard of for tourists to go missing, especially pretty ones.”

“Assuming she goes ashore.”

“If she does, follow and try to not be noticed, and by that, I mean you should probably think of ditching your usual suit for something that blends better.”

“I don’t wear shorts,” Rennie’s stiff reply. The man might have started out in poverty, but he’d grown into someone with a sense of style that didn’t often include casualwear.

“Pants are fine but try to look like a tourist. Hit the gift shop if you need something more appropriate.”

“The things I have to do.” Rennie sighed.

“Ah yes, your life is so terrible. Forced onto a tropical cruise. Having to eat fine foods. Getting to laze by the pool.”

“I don’t laze.”

“Maybe you should.” Dante waved his hand. “Go out, have a bit of fun. Perhaps find yourself a companion for the night.”

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