The Pequod glided elegantly into more open waters, showcasing its grandiose exterior under the heavenly rays of sunlight. Fixtures of gold and Italian woods embossed the interior in gaudy spectacle. It was still better than any other luxury yacht I'd ever been on, though that number stands firmly at one still. The Don had taken me on a tour of the ship, boasting about his finest of finishes and the various conquests he'd had over the years in crafting such a beautiful ship. I nodded and smiled at appropriate times, but could only think of Jack throughout everything. However, I was fascinated by the amazing abilities of the deck crew to race around the ship, satisfying every need to be met by The Don's impeccable standards.

  “Get the toys out,” The Don celebrated, as his host of models and associates drank heavily, diving headfirst down the long attached slide into the water, while nearby jet skis made waves around the yacht. Guests dove off the side of the ship, with drinks in hand, in varying states of undress. It was a party boat if I'd ever seen one...and I had never had the displeasure...before today.

  “How 'bout you, doll?” The Don asked, guiding me around the multi-storied vessel, while guiding his eyes along my body. “I got an extra bikini with your name on it. Hell, you don't have to wear one. Fine by me,” he winked.

  “I'm fine for now, thank you.” I shuddered at the thought, crossing my arms over my chest with indifference.

  “Suit yourself...or don't.” He cackled heartily.

  Suddenly, water splashed powerfully from a nearby hot tub, which had some barely clothed women wrestling with a larger man. A geyser of water shot out and covered me from head to toe. I stood, soaking wet, in a stupor, at my usual streak of luck.

  “Want that suit now??” The Don chuckled, pleased with himself.

  I could feel my forehead beginning to glow with white hot rage as I stormed off, forgetting my position, and went down a tunnel to a quiet side of the deck, hurtling down in frustration, and tucking myself away from others.

  A static buzzing hummed in my ear. “Oh no,” I said audibly, fishing out the fried earpiece. Busted. This isn't good. I palmed it for inspection before blowing on it to try and dry the water, shaking it fruitlessly in the air, as I tested it again. Putting it to my ear, I listened again. Still nothing. Great, now I'm all alone, with no one to call, and no one to save me but myself. I exhaled and dropped the earpiece overboard with mounting exhaustion.

  “Hey, those are expensive,” a familiar voice sounded from behind me.

  I turned to find the tight outfit of a deckhand before me, sporting a bushy fake mustache. “Jack! What are you doing here?”

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  “Trying to save this mission, of course,” he sidled close to me. “And by the looks of it, I could've saved the taxpayers some money if I was quicker too," he peeked overboard at where the earpiece met its final demise.

  “How'd you sneak aboard?”

  “I knocked out one of the deckhands and took his clothes?”

  “Really?”

  “No, I gave him some cash and he handed it over willingly,” Jack smiled. “We don't always have to resort to violence.”

  “Well, I might have to, if I'm stuck with this ogre any longer,” I pouted.

  “What happened to that show of bravery earlier?” Jack grinned.

  I huffed, remembering the confident show I'd put on.

  “I still believe in you,” Jack's eyes shone upon me.

  “Thanks,” I beamed back at him.

  Jack's eyes trailed downward, a glint shimmering in them. “Though you may want to towel off first,” he handed over a towel.

  I quickly accepted his towel after noticing my form fitting dress, pronouncing even more than I'd like...in the current moment.

  “I'll be here,” Jack said,” his ears perking with footsteps coming from behind him, with a slight head turn in acknowledgment. “It's almost sunset.”

  I nodded resolutely, toweling water out of my hair now.

  “I won't let him do anything to you.” He said. "I promise." He added reassuringly, before skirting off.

  After making myself right, as right as I could, I returned to the main deck, all the while looking for Jack, but unable to spot him in the busy atmosphere. I did find The Don cavorting with one of his associates in overt disarray.

  “I told you to get it done,” The Don hissed.

  “We can't find him, Don, he's gone missing.”

  “He couldn't get the job done, and now you can't get the job done. That little rat. I'd like to string him up myself.”

  “We'll find him, Don, we'll find him.”

  “You better, or the next one getting strung up...”

  “I understand.”

  “What's all the commotion about?” I sauntered up, trying on my feminine wiles again, while gathering that that our old friend Stolaro had made the slip after all.

  “Nothing, sweetheart,” The Don's tone changed, “just work. Nothing a gem like you'd want to be privy to,” he took my hand and planted a kiss on my shoulder.

  Ick. I felt an icy chill race up and down my spine at the same time.

  “How about that sunset you promised?” I said, looking up towards the sky, which was brimming with a romantic orange glow, almost close to dipping already.

  “It's something, isn't it?” He held my shoulders firmly from behind me.

  I suddenly realized the fault in my efforts, as the sun rapidly lowered over the horizon. I had no plan to even get the information from him! I stood frozen, trying to figure out a move before our time was up. Time to call an audible.

  “Mind if I use your private bathroom to freshen up? I'll be right back out.”

  “Better yet,” The Don ran his rough hands along the nape of my neck. “We'll start the fireworks out here after the sunset. Why don't we enjoy them from my private quarters?”

  “Private...quarters...?” I gulped, looking around for Jack, and still unable to find him anywhere, my nerves setting in now. I cracked an uneasy smile, laughing awkwardly as wobbled on my rubbery legs. “Uh...I thought you'd never ask.”