Page 26 of An Epic Voyage

“Long term, I would say not good.She made it clear she loves her job and doesn’t plan on leaving.”

“Everyone has a price.I’ll find hers.”

Good luck.

“Tomorrow evening, I want you and Indigo to join Jinger and me in my private dining room.”

He’d rather smear meat juice over his body and jump into the ocean.Instead, he said, “Sure.”

“I expect a deal will have been reached by then.We’ll celebrate the newest member of our staff.”

Van Houten slapped him on the back, nodded, and left.Griffin had the urge to jump in the shower.He always felt dirty when dealing with the man.

He considered going to Indigo’s room to let her know about their dinner invite, but that wasn’t wise.It would be better to send a text.

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Indigo regretted notasking Griffin to stay and have a drink ...or something.Yes, it was irrational.She’d only met him like ten hours ago.She’d never been one to believe in soulmates or love at first sight—not that she loved him.How could she when she didn’t even know him?People were in charge of their fate and created their own luck.

Indigo’s head snapped toward the door.She thought she’d heard the knob rattle.There it was again.Someone was attempting to enter her room.She jumped at the sharp rap, and her heart picked up speed.Was Griffin feeling the same way about her?Could he be as attracted to her as she was to him?

Indy leaped out of bed and pulled the plush robe she’d found in the bathroom tighter against her chest before whipping the door open.

“Hello, Indigo.”

Momentarily stunned, she couldn’t speak as Benedict Van Houten strolled into her suite as if he owned it ...which, she supposed, he did.She stuck her head outside and glanced one way and then the other down the hallway, but it was empty.Why was he here this late, and without Jinger, no less?

She closed the door and leaned against it.Her mouth dropped open as he walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of scotch.He’d removed his tie and sport coat before arriving at her room, leaving the top buttons on his Oxford shirt undone.

“Did you need something, Mr.Van Houten?”

“I wanted to chat with you, Indigo.”He took a sip.“Such a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

Warning bells clanged in her head.She’d noticed the way he’d looked at her at the restaurant earlier, then his leg had fondled hers.Now, he was here without his girlfriend and bodyguards late at night.

He took a seat on her bed instead of at the table or on the sofa.Subtle.“I plan on keeping you around.Let’s make that happen.”

“I’m going to need a drink for this discussion.”

On the way to the bar, Indigo walked by her makeup case and casually reached inside.“Let me fill that up for you.”She took Van Houten’s glass with her.“I already told you I wasn’t interested in a job, Mr.Van Houten.”

“Please, call me Benny.All my friends do.And maybe I’m not talking about work.”

Ew, the man was hitting on her while his plastic girlfriend waited for him somewhere on the boat ...unless he’d pushed her overboard.Hum.She took a moment to enjoy the visual.It wasn’t as if she was bloodthirsty.Jinger’s chest buoys would keep her afloat until help arrived.

Indigo shook her head.No time for distractions when she was dealing with a predator.She changed the subject.“This is a beautiful suite.”

While Van Houten glanced around, she filled his glass and carried it to him.“Thanks, Indigo.This room is okay.I’ll show you what real luxury looks like in my suite.The bed is twice as big.”

Oh, good Lord.She poured herself a shot of vodka and slammed it back in one gulp.

“Why don’t you join me over here?”Van Houten patted the mattress beside him.

“I’d rather stand for this conversation.”

“Very well.”

He rose from the bed and walked closer to her.She didn’t want to have to kneecap him.Her modest chest wasn’t quite as buoyant as Jinger’s.