Barbara Silkstone - Wendy Darlin 01 - Wendy and the Lost Boys Read Free Page A

I knew what Hook’s little game was, I couldn’t resist baiting him. It would be fun to taunt this predator with my unavailability and goad him into buying a property from Marni – which would bring money into Darlin Realty.
    Stepping over his crass remarks like a pile of warm dog poop, I said, “I’ll be there. Where are you moored?”
    “At the Million Mile Marina near Key Biscayne. Just ask for the Predator.”
    “That figures.”
    He managed a half-sneer as he turned and walked away.
    I called Kit. “Want to tour a super-yacht?” I wasn’t going without protection.

Chapter Three
    The Predator was naked aggression disguised as four decks of white-on-white luxury but with armaments only the rich and paranoid could afford. It looked like a giant, white dagger. Its porthole-dotted hull was sleek and shiny; its angles provided perfect protection from pirate attacks.
    White-clad crew members lined up to welcome us on board. They fell over themselves in anticipating our needs. Marni smiled as though she’d found nirvana. Kit tripped over himself ogling the cute young stewards.
    It was clear our host was a swashbuckling entrepreneur with a roving eye and a laser-like focus on high living. Hook strutted around the ship pointing out the luxuries and the systems in place to secure them. “There are no standard staterooms on this baby. I had the walls taken out and made four gigantic luxury suites. The master is two-thousand square feet with a rotating bed.”
    I fought off the creepy feeling that Hook’s lecherous remarks were aimed at me.
    The master suite was three stories tall with teak floors and lots of chrome. A private elevator that would have been more comfortable if we’d been one person less carried us up to the main deck. Hook stepped aside and beckoned us into a room that glittered like Irish crystal. I was tempted to pretend to tip him.
    “This is the grand salon… ready for a party,” he announced. The room was painfully bright with infinity mirrors and ultra modern furniture.
    “Look down. That’s an Olympic-size swimming pool with a glass bottom, and below that is the formal dining room. We can look up from our lobster soufflé and watch bikinis splash about.”
    He pointed to a smaller upper deck. “There’s the golf course simulator and driving range. I never use it. And over here is the drive-in theater. The screen is hidden in the flooring. Of course, no cars.” He laughed.
    “No back seats? How do you have sex?” Kit asked.
    Hook shot him a bewildered look.
    We followed up the spiral staircase onto the helideck.
    Hook flipped his hand toward a helicopter sitting like a giant earth-bound cloud. “That’s the Shark. And here comes the pilot.”
    A young woman, barely five feet and surely less than one hundred pounds, walked toward us, her long golden curls bouncing, and extended her hand. “Welcome to the Predator . I’m Jaxbee, first mate and chopper pilot. Nice to have you on board.”
    Hook smiled at her. I wondered if they had a thing going on. Otherwise how could this kid come by such an important job?
    He continued, “I’m getting ready to take the ship on her maiden voyage, a world cruise. It costs almost a half-million dollars to fill the tank.”
    “How impressive,” Kit said rolling his eyes. Jaxbee smirked.
    Hook puffed up his chest like a rooster about to crow. “This tricked-out ship is designed to stay at sea for months.”
    “Really? The port cities of the world will rejoice,” Kit cracked. Jaxbee smiled again.
    Ignoring Kit, Hook continued, “We have huge walk-in refrigerators, fuel capacity of 200,000 gallons, reverse osmosis for converting salt water into fresh, it’s bombproof, has a state-of-the-art cloaking device, and a safe room for the guests and crew to hide from pirates.”
    “Well bite my tush!” Kit said.
    Hook paraded us into the engine room like a bunch of kindergarten kids on a tour. Pointing to monster-sized motors, he said, “With these