Chapter 25 Captain Clarke

As soon as they returned the ATVs, Westly suggested they have lunch before they went to another activity he had planned.

“Do you like Indian food?” Westly asked.

“Love it. One of my favorites.”

“Mine too. I know a good Indian restaurant here.” He took Luka’s hand, and they took a taxi to the main street.

Westly and Luka stepped into the Indian restaurant, surrounded by the tantalizing aromas of spices and sizzling dishes. Luka eyed everyone’s plate as the server led them to a table. The vibrant tapestries, intricate carvings, and soft lighting created a romantic ambiance. Bright colorful linens covered the tables, and the room was filled with the chatter of diners. He recognized some from the cruise ship.

As they settled into their seats, Westly admired the perfect blend of Indian elegance and island charm. Luka’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he perused the menu. His enthusiasm was contagious.

“This place is amazing.” Luka’s gaze flashed from one dish to another on the menu. “I want to eat everything!”

Westly’s heart filled with a deeper affection for Luka. “I’m glad you’re excited about the food. Let’s indulge ourselves.”

The server, dressed in colorful traditional Indian attire, took their orders.

“I don’t think Maleko is done with us,” Luka said.

“We’re not going to allow him to destroy our time together.”

His phone rang, and he picked it up. “Yes.”

“Maleko got away from us. We looked everywhere.”

“How the hell did he get away from you?”

Westly nodded in thanks as the server set their plates on the table.

“He went into a store. We followed him, but he wasn’t there. We looked everywhere, in and out and around the store. We found his clothes, so he must have changed to throw us off.”

“Keep looking.”

As they dived into their meal, they exchanged light banter about their favorite dishes. Westly didn’t want to discuss Maleko while they were eating. He was full of curiosity and concern about Luka’s relationship with Maleko, leaving him with a long list of questions he wished to pose to Luka. Luka’s presence must have compelled Maleko to change his ways on the surface until their trip to Florida. Luka wasn’t one to tolerate verbal or physical abuse from anyone, but Maleko had skillfully concealed his dark side and Luka had remained oblivious to his true nature. Perhaps Luka was the one who’d captured Maleko’s love. Luka had an undeniable charm, making him loveable. Does Luka still have feelings for Maleko? Luka confessed he had thought he was in love with him, his words hanging in the air, heavy with possibility. He’d stayed with him long enough to think he was in love.

Now he had to tell Luka the truth about his freedom before he found out from someone else. If he found out another way, it would be the end. If I tell him, it’s too soon for him to love me enough to stay. He didn’t know what to do. The battle inside him paralyzed him.

“This butter chicken is incredible!” Luka exclaimed, scooping up another mouthful. “I could eat this every day!”

Westly grinned, watching Luka’s enthusiasm with fondness. “I’m glad you like it. And this lamb curry is amazing too.”

“Can I taste your lamb?”

“Sure you can.” Westly sliced off a generous portion, the lamb’s savory aroma wafting through the air before he gently fed it to Luka.

“Wow! That’s great. I’ve never had lamb before.”

“I’m glad you like Indian food. It’s one of my favorites.”

Luka cut a large piece of his chicken and fed it to Westly.

“Delicious. Thanks.”

Midway through their meal, Westly’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. He furrowed his brows in concern as he answered the call from Brock, which couldn’t be a good thing.

“Is there a problem?” Westly asked.

“Yes, you need to get back here as soon as you can. Someone set a fire in the main elevator. Everyone on board was sent to their cabins. Some left the ship. The fire is out, but we haven’t caught the person. We have it all on the security footage,” Brock said. “He’s not a passenger or a crewmember.”

“Did you see it?”

“Yes.”

“Did the person have long black hair?”

“Yes. Do you know who it is?”

“It’s Maleko. I’m going to have two security men take Luka to your room. Send Charlie there to answer the door. I’m leaving now.”

“I didn’t recognize him. I’ll get on it.”

“Meet me in front of our bar and I’ll explain. Call the local police to search for him.”

“What happened?” Luka asked.

“We need to go back to the ship immediately,” Westly said, his voice laced with urgency. “Something’s happened, and I need to handle it.”

Luka’s eyes widened in alarm as he quickly nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Does it have anything to do with Maleko?”

Westly sent a message to the security guards to come to the restaurant.

“I think so. Someone set a fire in the main elevator. I’m going to pay for our lunch, then we’ll wait until security gets here. They will escort us to the ship and you to Brock’s room where Charlie is.”

He left and paid the bill, then returned to their table. Luka had stopped eating, disturbed by what was going on.

“Did Maleko ever physically abuse you in any way?”

“Never. He was never violent around me. I don’t understand why he’s setting fires, but…”

“But what?”

“I think he might have burned my car at the university.”

“I don’t want him near you.”

When the two security guards arrived, they all got into the security car. The driver dropped them off at the ship. He hated leaving Luka in Brock’s room with Charlie, but he was safer there. After he called to tell the hotel he was sending a security guard to pick up their things, he sent a message to another security guard to pick up their suitcases. He made a quick stop at his cabin to retrieve his trusty weapon before continuing on his way.

Westly stormed through the corridors of his ship, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and determination to find Maleko. Smoke still lingered in the air from the fire Maleko had set in the main elevator. There was no one around except for the security personnel. Brock had ordered everyone to their cabins and told them to lock their doors, seeking to protect the passengers from potential danger. Westly clenched his jaw, his mind racing with thoughts of the havoc Maleko could wreak if left unchecked. How the hell had he gotten on this ship with all the security?

Westly found Brock waiting outside their favorite bar. They began walking and took the stairs to the top deck.

Brock matched his brisk pace. “We need to find Maleko before he causes any more damage,” Westly said, his voice tight with urgency.

Brock nodded grimly. “Agreed, Captain. The security teams are combing every section of the ship. He can’t hide for long.”

Together, they swept through the labyrinthine corridors, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. The ship seemed eerily quiet; tension lingered in the air.

Suddenly, Westly spotted movement up ahead—a figure darting into a side corridor. “There! Maleko!” he exclaimed, pointing.

Brock nodded, and they quickened their pace, closing in on their target. Maleko turned a corner, only to find himself face to face with Westly and Brock.

Maleko’s eyes widened in surprise, quickly followed by a sneer of defiance. “You think you can stop me, Clarke? You and your pathetic crew are nothing, just worthless.”

Westly’s jaw tensed, his gaze hardening. “Your vendetta ends here, Maleko. You’ve caused enough trouble.”

“Luka isn’t who you think he is. He’s like his father. He didn’t just wait outside. I protected him. He went inside with me and helped me burn down your home. Watch your back!”

“Stop your damn lying!” Westly shouted. “This is over. You’re going to prison. This time you won’t get out.”

“You’ll never be safe if you don’t send Luka back to me.”

Before Maleko could make a move, Westly shoved him against the wall. He kicked him behind the legs and tripped him. Then he pulled out his weapon and pointed it at him. “Don’t move or I’ll blow your head off.”

Brock searched Maleko and removed a weapon from his pocket, then spoke into his phone and held him against the wall. “Security, we’ve apprehended Maleko. Send a team to the Lido deck immediately.”

Maleko struggled against Westly and Brock’s grasp, his defiance wavering as the weight of his actions bore down on him. Security arrived swiftly, restraining Maleko and escorting him away.

As Westly watched Maleko being taken into custody, a sense of relief washed over him. The threat had been neutralized, but the scars of Maleko’s betrayal would linger—a reminder of the lurking dangers.

They returned to the bridge, and Westly made a ship-wide announcement. “The ship has been cleared of the threat and the fire has been extinguished. Do not use the main elevator until further notice.”

“Let’s have a drink before we go back to get Luka and Charlie,” Brock suggested.

Westly nodded. Maleko’s claim about Luka’s part in the crime lingered in his mind. Maleko alleged Luka had gone in with him. Had Maleko protected him from the authorities by lying about the extent of his involvement? Maleko was a known liar, yet Westly couldn’t help but question if there was a kernel of truth hidden within his words. He believed Maleko loved Luka in his own way, and he thought Maleko might have shouldered all the blame, considering it was his idea.

What invalidated this theory was Luka. I can’t believe he would break into a home, my home, and set fire to it. He is a loving and kind young man. As far as Maleko suggesting Luka was like his father in relation to crime, he didn’t buy it. Luka spent most of his time with his mother, who selflessly dedicated her life to helping those less fortunate. She had played a major role in shaping Luka’s values. Though he had to admit, his father was likeable and displayed a great deal of love for Luka even though he was a criminal.

After his drink with Brock, he collected Luka, and they went to his cabin.

“I guess you got him,” Luka said when they were inside.

“Yes. Are you upset about that?”

“I have mixed feelings about Maleko.”

“Explain them to me. I don’t understand where your heart is.”

“I was with Maleko for a long time. He was my first love. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun until he changed.”

“How do you feel about him now after he burned the main elevator on my ship?”

“I don’t understand why he wouldn’t enjoy being free. He lucked out of prison, and he pushed his luck. Now, he’s going back there. I don’t like him. He’s locked up, and I don’t want him around me because he was using me.”

“What made you fall in love with him?”

“He loved surfing like me, and we did a lot of beach activities together. He took me on boats. We read the same books and watched similar movies. He made me feel special and loved. I guess I was wrong.”

“I think he loved you in his own way. I love you too. I can see why he fell for you.”

“Do you really love me, or are you just saying that?” Luka asked.

“I love you. I don’t want you to leave.”

“I had a lot of fun today. I’m sorry it was cut short.”

“The next stop I promised Brock he could go, and we’ll do the one after that.”

“Where are we going to stop when we can visit?”

“Saint Lucia. We can zipline if you like.”

“I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“They have scooters for rent, beautiful beaches, and hiking too. Does that sound like fun?”

“Yes, it does.”

“I’d like you to work alongside me. We’ll order food later. I have tons of papers to fill out and need to make some statements for the police too.”

“Of course I will.”

“It’s not the day I planned for us, but we’ll make up for it at Saint Lucia.”