Captivating The Bear

“Dave?” Rick sounded surprised. “He’s right here.”

“Ask him why he left his post without permission.” The impulse to smash something was becoming overwhelming. He could hear the murmur of voices as Rick relayed his message to the other guy.

“Boss?” Rick’s bewilderment was even more evident. “Dave says he stayed outside your room until Lidi came out. He offered to take her to Khan’s room, but she said she knew where it was. She refused to let him escort her.”

Ged muttered a curse as he swiped the screen to end the call. What the hell were you thinking of, Lidi?

But he already knew the answer. She had gone because he had told her he couldn’t help her. Now she was out there all alone, with no money, no transport and no one to turn to next time Vasily’s men caught up with her.

It was like déjà vu. In another time and place, he had failed the woman he was responsible for. Alyona had died and now Lidi was facing the same fate. Because I didn’t protect her.

Feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness crowded in on him, crushing his chest until he couldn’t breathe. He was immobilized by fear, his usual decisiveness deserting him. Gradually, he forced his limbs into action.

Do something.

He was the guy who rescued shifters from danger. Since Alyona’s death and his exile from Callistoya, it had been his way of giving something back. His personal mission. For Alyona and for his missing brother, Andrei. During the years of his exile, Ged had built up a worldwide network of contacts, shifter and human.

Focused now, he moved with increased purpose. If anyone could find Lidi, he could. All he had to do was get to her in time.

* * *

The prospect of retracing her steps across thousands of miles made Lidi’s heart sink, but she had no choice. At least she was able to slip out of the hotel without anyone noticing her. Although the lobby was swarming with police officers, they were too busy concentrating on the ruined furnishings and the traumatized employees to pay attention to anything else. The scene was chaotic and, even though Lidi couldn’t understand exactly what was being said, there was clearly some confusion around exactly what had taken place.

Once she stepped outside, she could barely move for the hordes of people. The elegant promenade had become a battleground as reporters and photographers vied for the best story and camera shot. Keeping her head down, Lidi pushed her way through, emerging close to the beach. Feeling slightly disoriented, she followed a route that led her away from the town toward the harbor. Anything to get past the crowds.

Cannes harbor was huge, with a range of vessels moored within its confining walls. Lidi guessed some of the larger, gleaming yachts must belong to the celebrities who were staying in the same hotel as Beast. With their helicopters and satellite systems, they resembled floating palaces. Nearby, the tiny, colorful fishing craft were dwarfed by them. She followed the line of the water’s edge before sitting on the harbor wall, planning her next move.

After a while, one boat drew her attention away from her thoughts. Long, low and colorful with loud pop music blaring from its decks, it didn’t fit in with either the billionaires’ yachts or the working vessels. Intrigued, Lidi got to her feet and moved closer so she could read the painted sign on its side. Although it was rough and ready, it had been translated into several languages, including English.

Party Boat! Cruise with Us from Cannes to Genoa.

The Mediterranean climate was mild, but the middle of winter seemed a strange time to offer cruise parties. Then again, what did she know about such things? If there was a cruise happening, it interested her for one important reason. The Italian port of Genoa was a long way from home, but if she could get there, she would be heading in the right direction.

Lidi studied the boat, considering her options for how to get on board and remain hidden for the duration of the journey. As she did, a man sprang down from the deck. Landing neatly on the quayside next to her, he gestured to the vessel with a grin.

“N’est-elle pas belle?”

Although she didn’t speak French, Lidi understood enough to know that he was inviting her to admire the boat.

“Beautiful,” she agreed, speaking English. It wasn’t necessarily the first word that occurred to her as she looked at the garish craft, but politeness prevented her from telling the truth.

“Ah, you are English? American?” He switched languages easily.

“Russian.” It was the language that was closest to her mother tongue and it was easier than trying to explain where she actually came from.

Since she was trying to figure out a way to stow away on the boat, she didn’t really want to get into a conversation. But it seemed the man had other ideas. It was impossible to judge his age. With skin that was tanned almost mahogany and dreadlocks tied back in a ponytail, he was dressed in jeans and a sweater that were both faded almost to the point of extinction.

“Ah. So, you say ‘preevyet.’ Yes?”

“Preevyet.” Lidi returned the greeting with a smile. Despite the urgency of her predicament, it was impossible not to like him. And by talking to him, she might be able to find out more about his journey. “Are you going to Genoa today?”

“Tonight. This is not usually the season, but it’s a private party.”

Having spoken to him, she felt bad about her plans to trick her way on board. Not bad enough to abandon the scheme, of course. Getting to Genoa would take a big chunk out of her journey. She decided on a risky strategy.