Page 66 of The Bad Girl

Chapter 24

Nadine

Once the men are done using the bathroom, it’s Lady Elaine’s turn, and I’m stuck waiting with Eliza.

“I hope you’re well,” I tell the pretty redhead.

Her nostrils flare, and she diverts her gaze.

“Look,” I say, “we’re stuck in this together. There’s no point in fighting. There’s a chance one or both of us could die at any moment, so we might as well work together.”

“Work together?” Eliza says with a sneer, but the look in her eyes tells me she’s more than a little afraid. “How do you expectusto do anything to help this situation?”

“I’m not saying we’re going to save the day, but we need to stay vigilant.”

Lady Elaine opens the door and steps from the bathroom. “Smart girl,” she says, positioning herself between Eliza and me, “and if I were you, Eliza, I’d take heed. You’re the most expendable one of us. If he wants to make a point with that gun of his, it will be you he targets.”

Eliza replies with silence, but the look in her eyes says it all.

“After you’re done washing up, we’ll reconvene in my cabin and have us a chat down here, while they have their shenanigans going on up there.”

?

Maxwell

“I can’t just get a briefcase with thirty-million-dollars in it, Johnson,” I reason. “You know this.”

“Ya know,” Johnson says as he paces the deck, “I’m not so sure about that.”

“The banks are never going to release thirty-mil from my phone app!”

“But you’re not going to call a bank. You’re going to call that friend of yours. That Harry guy.”

“Harry? Jesus! Even if I had thirty-million-dollars hidden, the second I tell Harry where it is, consider it gone.”

“Why don’t ya let me talk ta him?”

“I can get you you the private jet, no problem,” Harlow cuts in. “What’s a ride between friends? But let’s be honest, Stryder has a point. That kind of money isn’t easy to move and transport.”

“What is this I hear about money?” Lady Elaine steps onto the deck.

“Get down below!” Johnson growls.

Lady Elaine takes a bracelet from her wrist, holding it out to Johnson. “I guess I could take another nap, but any reason you choose not to include me in the conversation is quite daft.

Johnson holds out his hand, and she drops the bracelet into his palm.

“There’s a cool million right there,” Lady Elaine says.

“Thanks, now give me the rest.” Johnson nods at the rest of her jewels.

“Not so fast. First, I get to be included in on the big boy conversation.” She looks to the bartender. “Miguel, mix me a hard one.”

“Coming right up.”

“Where’s that slutty redhead?” Lady Elaine mutters. ”What’s her name?”

Eliza creeps out from below deck, and for a moment, I fear my heart is going to seize, but when Nadine does not appear behind her, I breathe out a sigh of relief.