Page 44 of Why Cruise

“Mackenzie, you look incredible. Was the cream I sent for your nose alright?”

“Belle Èpoque is so exclusive, I’ve never even seen it before.” Her smile got even wider.

There was a gentle touch at my elbow.

“The Meridian Steakhouse would love to accommodate your party. If you’d follow Janet,” a woman in the smart uniform the concierge team wore was hurrying to William’s side.

“Change of scenery. We’re going to the steakhouse for dinner.”

Theo craned his head to look up at me. His smirk was half amused, half delighted. He stood, then held a hand out to Mackenzie.

“Ah, the steakhouse on this ship is wonderful.” Bob said, attempting to get out of his chair. I shoved him back down and loomed over him.

“Bob,” I made his name sound as ridiculous as he was. “I would rather eat broken glass than share a table with you.” I let my aura wrap around him, an oppressive reminder that he was not top dog. Ren’s chuckle was the cherry on the humiliation sundae.

Mackenzie

Justice, with a gentle hand on Theo’s back, guided him towards the exit. I made it two steps before I noticed Ren was not following.

“Are you coming?” I asked.

“I’m not sure that invitation was extended to me. It certainly wasn’t extended to Bob here.”

“You promised.” I put a hand on my hip.

“Technically, you promised.”

“And how would you know I fulfilled my promise if you’re not there to see it?”

“Ooo, tricky logic.”

“Besides, I can’t imagine Justice could get any more annoyed.”

Ren pushed his chair out and stood gracefully. Some alphas had this thing. I didn’t know what to call it. It was like they knew they could be stronger than they looked, so they were careful with their bodies. It made them graceful in a way that couldn’t be faked. Daryl didn’t have it. Ren did. So did Justice.

“I live to annoy Justice,” he said in a purr, and nodded for us to follow.

We walked through the ship to parts I hadn’t been to before. Or maybe we had, but Theo had been leading the way. With each step, the carpets got plusher, the art on the walls more expensive. Even the air felt different here, like money could somehow make oxygen taste better. Ren stayed close to my side as we trailed behind Theo and Justice. They looked good together. Not opposites, but complements. But Ren and I, we were more of a matched set. Dark hair, dark eyes. His skin golden, mine too pale.

“The ship gets fancier the higher you go,” I whispered to Ren.

“Like Port Haven,” he said with a wry smile. “The higher up you are, the better the view.”

We reached the entrance to Meridian, where a hostess in a sleek black dress and pearls greeted us. “Your table will be ready momentarily, Mr. Twill. Would you care for a cocktail while you wait? Or perhaps an amuse-bouche?”

My eyes caught the menu posted on the wall. Lots of steak. Duh. Daryl liked his steak well-done. It had to be crispy on the edges. I liked… Did I like steak? And the prices. My stomach dropped. I curled a lock of hair around my finger. Ren caught my chin with a fingertip and tilted my head up. His eyes searched my face like a puzzle he had to figure out. I wasn’t keen on knowing what he was discovering, so I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

“It’s just that it’s more expensive than I thought.”

He held my gaze for several more heartbeats.

“Just.” Ren’s voice carried across the foyer. He took a step back and I could breathe again. Justice turned, one eyebrow raised. “Who’s paying for dinner?”

Justice looked like Ren had just asked if the earth was flat. “What the fuck kind of question is that?” He turned back around, guiding Theo deeper into the restaurant.

Ren leaned close, his breath tickling my ear. “Want to know a secret about Justice?”

I nodded.

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