Prest noticed that I’d noticed, his brow coming down and his shoes placing him slightly in front of his wife-to-be. “If you have a couple of hours free, I’ll escort you around and introduce you to the staff. Then we’ll be on our way.”
I scowled at the horizon. “How will you depart? I see no other yachts.”
“Phantom is behind us. They’ll be here soon.”
“Phantom?”
He cocked his head. “My own yacht. Tasmin and I have been sailing for some time—a vacation, if you will. We decided to personally deliver your purchase before we have other engagements to attend.”
I smiled. “Very kind of you to complete the hand over personally.”
“Yes, well, I don’t normally get involved with clients, but as I said, we’ve been sailing and going where the wind directs.”
“It’s been wonderful,” Tasmin said, her voice slightly husky with a thread of fierceness I wasn’t expecting. “You’ll be glad you purchased such a thing. Sailing truly is one of the best things you can do.”
“I prefer land beneath my feet,” I said.
“But you need the ocean close by, judging by how small your islands are and how private you are about your location,” Prest murmured.
I narrowed my eyes, not appreciating his astute understanding of me. “We guard our anonymity.”
“As do we.” He took Tasmin’s hand. Their height difference made it seem as if he sheltered her from everything. Her brown hair and green eyes crowned stubborn-set shoulders and a strength that didn’t come from everyday life but tragedy somewhere along the line.
What was her story?
How had they met and how fucked up had their romance been? As bad as mine with Eleanor? Was Elder responsible for the silver scars visible on her forearms as the sun caught her skin? Or had he saved her from the man who’d hurt her?
Eleanor stepped forward and touched Tasmin’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Tasmin. I’m very excited to see more.”
Tasmin jolted but swallowed and smiled politely. “Follow us. We’ll show you how to use your new floating home.” She smiled and stood taller. “There is much to go over. But rest assured, you won’t need to remember it. The staff come with the yacht and are fully trained. Elder sells a complete package so you can enjoy sailing straight away instead of interviewing for suitable crew.”
“And how much is that going to cost me?” I asked, throwing Cal a look over my shoulder as Elder Prest struck off and led us beneath the sail-shaded outdoor area complete with pizza oven, barbeque, spa, huge sitting area, and dining table big enough for a board meeting.
“Their salaries are included in the cost of running, along with fuel required for travel and onboard generators. You have your own internet network, banking system, and security programs. Every computer is encrypted with top-of-the-line software, so no one will be able to hijack your vessel remotely, and there are two bolt rooms that are bullet-proof with enough provisions for two weeks as well as access to motorised escape pods. Along with the obvious staff of chefs, cleaners, captains, and stewards, there are also five guards who are fully trained in the use of weaponry. Calypso is fitted with two cannons, three machine guns, and a few other pieces of armament that I will discuss when we arrive at that particular part of the yacht.”
My eyebrows flew up. “You make it seem like a warship.”
Prest shrugged, escorting us into a massive room with wraparound windows, sunken white lounge suites, retractable skylights showing a cloudless vista, and a blue lacquered piano next to a sparkling bar with untold number of bottles and goblets. “When you are out at sea with no law enforcement or backup, it’s better you are prepared than short-sighted.”
“Have you run into complications like that? Pirates and such?” I’d lived in Indonesia for a while now and heard a few rumours of piracy on trade boats and a few container ships that’d been ransacked. However, no one had dared come near my islands. If they tried to steal from me, they’d be fucking shark food.
Prest’s gaze darkened. He went to shake his head, but Tasmin answered on his behalf. “We have dealt with hostiles boarding our boat.” She threw Prest a shadowy look. “Elder is right. It’s best to be prepared.”
Eleanor frowned but stayed silent. Maybe renting out this yacht to sexual deviances might not be safe, after all.
“This way.” Prest stalked through the lounge and into a wide corridor where natural light streamed in, leading toward another lounge, billiard room, movie theatre, library, dining room, gym, spa room with sauna and steam, yet another impressively sized lounge with artwork and chandeliers, and finally out to the front of the boat where a sunken swimming pool glittered in the sunshine, rattan loungers waited with freshly rolled towels, and two staff members manned a cabana where snacks and drinks could be made.