16. Luce

16

LUCE

Two eternal and dull days later, I leaned against the doorframe of the cockpit, watching Rissa settle into the captain's chair. "You ready to learn how to drive this thing?"

Rissa looked up at me and batted her lashes in an exaggerated manner. "Ooh Luce, I don't know, it seems so complicated!" she exclaimed in an unnaturally high-pitched tone.

I chuckled and shook my head. This ought to be entertaining. "Come on now, a smart woman like you? Driving a boat is a piece of cake."

"Well, if you say so..." Rissa sing songed. She gripped the wheel and turned to me. "So, what do I do, Mighty Captain Lord Daemon?"

I moved closer and placed my hands over hers on the wheel, enjoying the warmth of her skin. "First, check your instruments. Throttle, navigate, communicate."

Rissa nodded solemnly. "Aye aye, sir."

Then she glanced at me slyly. "You know, I've never actually driven a boat."

"What, never?" I raised an eyebrow. "I thought you liked the sea."

"Um, have I mentioned that I hate water?" Rissa snorted. "Other than when I placed the diamond and now, the longest I've been on a boat was crossing over from Morocco to Gaul with Rey. And I was not happy about it, let me tell you."

I snorted. This woman never ceased to surprise me. "Well, there's a first time for everything. Let's see what you've got."

Rissa flashed me a wicked grin. Then she yanked the wheel hard to port, causing the boat to lurch sideways. Distant yelps sounded from the cabins below deck.

"Oopsie!" Rissa giggled, widening her eyes at me in the fakest innocent look I'd ever seen. "Like this?" She jerked the wheel in the opposite direction. The yacht pitched again as more disgruntled shouts reached my ears.

I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing. This woman was a riot. "Okay, okay, you got me. Now straighten 'er out before you make everyone seasick!"

Rissa joined in my laughter. She was stunning when she let loose like this. Part of me wanted to pull her into my arms right then and there.

But I resisted the urge. There'd be time for that later, if she was willing. For now, I'd just enjoy this playful, carefree side of Rissa—one that I had a feeling not many got to see.

Luck was on my side today. Rissa lurched the wheel too hard to the left, accidentally this time, losing her balance. She stumbled sideways, crashing right into my arms. I caught her reflexively, pulling her close to steady her.

The laughter died on my lips as I stared down into her face, mere inches from mine. Rissa's breath hitched. Neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke.

In that suspended moment, I was struck by how perfectly she fit against me, subtle curves molding to my body. By how good she felt in my embrace, all sleek muscles and soft skin. By how badly I wanted to kiss her senseless until she forgot every name but mine.

Rissa must have seen something in my expression, because her pupils dilated, darkening the emerald of her irises. Could she feel my heart hammering beneath her palm? Did she know the effect she had on me?

I swallowed hard. This wasn't just lust. It wasn't only physical attraction, though there was plenty of that between us. No, the emotions swelling in my chest ran deeper, fiercer. More dangerous.

But did Rissa feel the same? Or was this nothing more than a flirtation to her, a fun distraction to pass the time at sea? Another notch on her bedpost, albeit a very satisfying one?

I thought of the nights we'd spent tangled together in silken sheets, the way she moved under and over me, wild and uninhibited. The sounds she made when I brought her to the edge again and again. I'd had many lovers, but none like her. Rissa was...something else.

I opened my mouth to tell her that this was more than just sex for me, that I was falling for her hard and fast, consequences be damned. Before I could get the words out, Cathy's startled cry echoed from the main cabin.

Rissa and I sprang apart, the intimate bubble around us shattering. She shot me a questioning look as we hurried out of the cockpit.

We met Rey at the entrance to the living area. Pitch darkness engulfed the space, the warm glow of the recessed lights extinguished. I could barely make out the shadowy shapes of furniture in the gloom.

"What happened?" Rissa demanded, her tone sharp with concern. "Is everyone okay?"

"Just startled," Cathy responded.

As Rey moved to her side I navigated the room by memory, heading for the drawer beneath the kitchen table bench where we kept emergency supplies.

Rissa followed close behind. As my fingers closed around the drawer handle, I couldn't help but wonder if the sudden blackout was a coincidence...or something more sinister.

Flashlight beams cut through the inky darkness as Rissa and I distributed them to the others. The stark white light cast eerie shadows across tense faces.

"Let's check the engine again," I suggested, already moving toward the stern.

The engine compartment looked unchanged from our inspection, but I scanned it with a critical gaze, searching for anything out of place.

"Two major malfunctions back-to-back like this within days?" I said out loud, frowning. "It's too much of a coincidence."

Rissa crouched beside me, her brows knitted together. "You think someone's messing with the yacht?"

I didn't want to voice my suspicions and risk stoking fear, but I couldn't ignore the warning bells clanging in my head.

"I'm not sure. Probably not, but we need to stay alert. Keep an eye out for anything unusual."

Rissa's lips thinned into a set line, but she nodded.

I peered again into the engine compartment, my flashlight beam cutting through the darkness. "The breakers must be in the bow," I said, closing the panel with a decisive snap. "Let's check there."

We all traipsed to the front of the yacht, Rissa leading the way with her flashlight held high, Jeanette, Rey, and Cathy close behind her.

At the bow, I located the breaker panel in the deck and flipped the hidden panel open, only to find a small padlock barring access. "Locked." I grunted, tugging at it in frustration. "Who the hell puts a lock on a breaker box?"

"Why would your friend do that?" Rissa asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

I shrugged. "He rents the yacht out sometimes. Probably doesn't want guests messing with the electrics. No worries." I injected confidence into my voice. "The key should be in the cockpit. I'll grab it and be right back."

I hurried to the cockpit and rummaged through the small drawer where I'd found spare tools and keys. Screwdrivers, pliers, a hammer... but no key for the breaker box. Damn it. I clearly remembered seeing that distinctive brass key in here yesterday when boredom had driven me to snoop. And what about the key to the fuel door? That was gone too. This couldn't be a coincidence.

Frustration simmered under my skin as I slammed the drawer shut with more force than necessary. Someone was messing with us, but who? And why? Jeanette wouldn't, and I couldn't picture Rey or Cathy doing anything. Was someone else on board somehow, or finding a way to come and go?

A shifter who could take on a marine shape?

I grabbed a screwdriver, the gears in my mind churning as I hurried back to Rissa and the others. Thomas wouldn't be happy about me destroying his lock, but we needed power. Explanations and apologies would have to wait.

"Sorry, buddy," I muttered under my breath as I approached the bow. "I'll make it up to you later."

Rissa's eyes locked onto mine as I neared, a silent question in their green depths. I gave a subtle shake of my head. No key. Her lips pressed into a grim line.

With a few deft movements, I jammed the screwdriver into the lock, applying pressure until the cheap metal gave way with a satisfying crack. I yanked the panel open, revealing the neat rows of switches inside.

"Here goes nothing," I muttered, flipping the main breaker.

Instantly, the yacht hummed back to life. Lights flickered on, the low thrum of the AC kicked in. Relieved sighs echoed around me.

I shut the panel, turning to face the others. "Well, that solves one problem."

Rissa stepped closer, her brow furrowed. "The key was missing?"

I nodded, frustration creeping back in. "I'm sure they were there yesterday. I remember seeing them when I was poking around. It's just...weird."

Rey glanced at us from where Cathy and Jeanette were chatting, their voices relieved.

Rissa caught his eye and bit her lip, glancing back at me. "You don't think..."

She trailed off.

Rey shook his head minutely.

I caught both their drifts. This wasn't the time or place. "Maybe I'm just imagining things," I said with a shrug, raising my voice slightly. "We must've done something to overload the system. I'll double check everything later."

Rissa played along, forcing a smile. "Right. Well, I'm just glad we've got power again. I was starting to feel like I was in a floating haunted house."

"Poker?" Rey asked, Jeanette's favorite game. She eagerly agreed and Cathy accompanied them to get the cards.

As they drifted back inside, Rissa and I lingered at the bow, the sea breeze whipping around us.

"This isn't right," she murmured, her voice low and urgent. "First the engine trouble, now this? Someone's targeting us."

"We need to stay alert," I said quietly, meeting her gaze. "Keep an eye out for anything suspicious, someone sneaking on and off the boat. Portaling somehow, maybe. I don't like this one bit."

As we stood there, the vast expanse of the ocean stretching out before us, I couldn't shake the worry.

I didn't like all the variables in this situation.