Chapter 23 Captain Clarke

Early in the morning, they left the ship together and checked into the hotel for the night; they unpacked and changed. Westly suggested they wear their swimming trunks underneath their jeans.

“We might find a secluded beach.” Westly aimed to ensure Luka enjoyed the island. He continued to scan the area, but Maleko wasn’t anywhere to be seen. They took a hotel taxi to Philipsburg and rented two bright red ATVs; the four-wheelers would be ready for them in an hour.

“Let’s have coffee and a snack while we wait,” Westly suggested.

“That sounds good. I’m really excited about riding the ATVs.”

“Brock and I used to ride them when we stopped here. You’ll love it. Do you know how to ride one?”

“Of course I do. I own a dirt bike and an ATV. We ride them in the desert.”

“I bet you miss California.” Westly wanted to see if Luka’s longing to return to California had diminished. He also wondered who he meant by “we.” Did he mean Maleko and him or some other friends of his?

Luka nodded, too emotional to answer. When he was upset, he withdrew into silence. In the back of Westly’s mind was the knowledge he must find the right time to inform Luka his contract had ended. It was the wrong time now because they needed to bond more, or he would take off for California in an instant upon hearing the news. Westly planned to lighten his workload and slowly give him more freedom to roam on the ship with Charlie or other friends. The last thing he wanted was for Luka to sense anything was amiss.

The salty Caribbean air whipped Luka’s hair around his face as Westly strolled alongside him, hand in hand. Sint Maarten’s vibrant streets, a kaleidoscope of brightly colored buildings and bustling vendors, felt a world away from the cruise ship.

Unexpectedly, Luka’s hand stiffened. A scowl creased his brow as a long-haired, muscular figure rounded the corner and swaggered towards them. Westly recognized him instantly—Maleko. The only difference was his hair, which now reached his mid-back. He had a chip on his shoulder, then and now.

“Luka!” Maleko fixated on them holding hands. “Why did you bring him with you?” Maleko growled, crossing his arms, emphasizing the size of his barrel chest.

His questioning of Luka annoyed Westly.

“None of your fucking business,” Luka shot back, pushing his hair back from his face and letting go of Westly’s hand.

“It is my business. You belong to me, not that bastard.”

“I don’t belong to you after you lied to me so many times.”

“When did I lie to you?”

“You lied to me when you said you didn’t burn the captain’s home. And now I know you lied about everything else. There was never any insurance money. You used me.”

Westly grabbed Luka’s hand tighter this time so he couldn’t release it. The familiar flare of hatred rekindled in his gut as he watched the exchange. Just looking at Maleko’s brutish form brought back memories of the bloodied Marine and the smug indifference on Maleko’s face when confronted.

“I want to marry you. We talked about this back in California,” Maleko spat, taking a step towards Luka and jabbing a finger at him. “You’re just scared to go against your precious captain. But I know you, Luka. That man has nothing in common with you. You’re a pot loving hippie. He’ll never relate to you or you to him.”

Westly shoved Maleko’s hand away from Luka. “Don’t comment on something you know nothing about. Keep away from Luka.”

“You’re delusional if you think I’d ever leave Captain Clarke’s ship and break my contract for a psychopath like you,” Luka said.

“Is that so?” A cruel smirk twisted Maleko’s lips as he leaned in close, his hot breath fanning across Luka’s face. “I bet he doesn’t fuck you for hours like I did.”

Westly’s hand balled into a white-knuckled fist at his side…his vision tinting red. The audacity of that thug to insult Luka like that right in front of me.

“Shut your fucking mouth. I’ll have you arrested,” Westly said, then snapped his fingers and two security guards moved closer to them.

Luka locked eyes with Maleko, his jaw set in grim determination. “You’re really a sick motherfucker. I’m not leaving, especially not with a loser like you. So back off.”

“We’ll see about that.” Maleko straightened. “I’m gonna make you watch while I put that old bastard in his place once and for all. Then we’ll see if you still want to stick with him.”

With that, he shoved past Luka, letting his bulky shoulder slam into him as he stormed off down the crowded street. Luka looked over at Westly helplessly, regret and worry etched across his features.

Westly waved to the security to follow Maleko. After all these years, Maleko’s hatred still festered like an open wound. The threat of violence hung in the surrounding air, making the idyllic island setting seem to darken and fade away.

“What are we going to do now?” Luka asked.

“We’re going to ride.”

They walked back to the ATV rental holding hands and checked out their four-wheelers.

Westly gripped the handlebars of the ATV tightly, feeling the hum of the engine beneath him as he prepared to navigate through the winding roads of Philipsburg. Beside him, Luka sat on his own ATV, his laughter carried on the warm Caribbean breeze.

“Ready for this, Luka?” Westly called out over the roar of the engines, a thrill coursing through his veins at the prospect of exploring the island beyond the confines of their cruise ship.

Luka’s face beamed with joy as he gave Westly an enthusiastic thumbs up. “Let’s do this!”

Luka’s sunglasses drove Westly insane. Damn…he’s fucking gorgeous.

“You look sexy on that four-wheeler.” He was glad he had chosen this activity to entertain his gorgeous Luka, who needed some fun, especially after talking to Maleko. He didn’t want Luka to think he was too old and formal to have fun.

With a nod of determination, Westly pressed down on the accelerator, the ATV lurching forward as they sped off into the bustling streets of Philipsburg. The salty sea breeze whipped their faces as they navigated through the colorful array of shops and cafes, the vibrant energy of the town filling him with a sense of freedom.

“It’s been too long since I’ve taken a day off like this,” Westly admitted, his gaze sweeping over the stunning scenery. “I almost forgot what it feels like to just…relax.”

Luka nodded in agreement, a wide grin spreading across his face. “You deserve it.”

The sun beat down upon them, the warmth of its rays seeping into Westly’s skin as they continued their adventure through the streets. For a moment, he allowed himself to forget about the challenges and worries awaiting him back on the ship and here with Maleko’s potential reappearance at any time. He forced himself to embrace the simple joy of being alive on this beautiful island with Luka though it wasn’t easy erasing the encounter with Maleko. What had Luka ever seen in Maleko? His violent nature was clear in the way he carried himself, a constant aura of aggression surrounding him. He wondered if he had ever physically hurt Luka.

As they rounded a bend in the road, Westly caught sight of a secluded beach nestled against the rocky coastline, its pristine sands calling out to them. He glanced over at Luka. “Want to stop and take a dip?” Westly had a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Luka’s eyes lit up with excitement, and together they veered off the main road, their laughter mingling with the sound of the crashing waves.