Secrets Aboard!, page 10
“Do they know you’re gay?”
“Yes.”
“And were they okay with it?”
“No. My father doesn’t speak to me when I visit. He disappears, so I visit with my mother and sister Lauren.”
“Wow! I’m glad my parents are okay with me as I am. I’d be depressed forever if they weren’t.”
Westly’s phone rang.
“What’s going on?”
“They need you on Code two twenty.”
“Be right there.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I have to take care of a problem. You’ll have to return to the cabin. You can stay on my side if you want.” Westly handed him his cabin key.
“I remember how to get back. Don’t worry.”
Chapter 18 Luka
Luka took the long way back to the cabin, stopped off and bought a chocolate ice cream cone from the crew ice cream shop and in another store, a surfing magazine. As soon as he entered the captain’s cabin, his phone rang. He picked it up without looking at the number and answered it.
“Hey, how are you?” Maleko asked.
“I heard you’re out.” Luka poured himself a glass of scotch.
“Your old man pulled some shit on you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What’s the name of the captain of the ship you’re on?”
“Why do you need to know that?”
“Is his name Captain Westly John Clarke?”
“Who told you his name?”
“You’re so stupid and innocent sometimes.”
“Fuck you.” Luka was about to end the call. What had he ever seen in this man? Well, other than everything he did turned him on, but not today. He didn’t like it when he tried to fuck him over with his games.
“Do you know who he is, my love?” Maleko asked.
“No. Should I?”
“That’s right. You never went to court, did you?”
“No.” Luka wondered how he knew the captain’s name and what did it have to do with court?
“Captain Westly John Clarke is the owner of the home I burned down.”
“I thought you said you didn’t burn it down.” That can’t be right. It can’t have been the captain’s home. Please don’t let it have been his home.
“I did for a damn good reason. He is the owner. Ask him where he lives.”
“You’re not making any sense. He lives somewhere in Florida when he’s not on his ship.”
“That’s right. He lived in the home I burned down. I guess he lives on the ship then. No home now.”
“Why did you burn his home?” Luka didn’t believe the conversation he was having. He responded to Maleko, but none of it made sense. His father wouldn’t set him up with the man whose home Maleko entered, robbed, then burned.
“I know him. That’s why.”
“How do you know him?” Luka was sickened by Maleko’s words and reasoning. Why would he burn Captain Clarke’s home?
“He kicked me out of the Marines. I wanted to make him suffer for what he did to me.”
“You never said you were in the Marines. What are you talking about?”
“Dishonorably discharged because of Captain Jackass Clarke. I never told you. I did not know you’d be on his ship.”
“So you robbed and burned his home?”
“That’s right. He kicked me out because I was gay.”
“And you wanted me to go with you? You knew all along what you were going to do. I’m in this mess for a fucking year because of you.”
“I’m going to fix the mess. I see your first stop is Sint Maarten. I’m going to meet you there so the captain doesn’t murder you or throw you overboard. And you better believe he will. He’s a mean son of a bitch.”
“No, you’re not. I’m not allowed off the ship.” Maleko must be on drugs. He was talking like a crazy man.
“I’ll text you. Find a way off that ship. We’ll find a place to hide you and we can be together again. I want to make love to you on the sand all day and night like we used to.”
Luka closed his eyes for a minute and imagined Maleko’s long hair all over his body while he made love to him on the sand. Then he opened them and shook his head. No, he didn’t want Maleko back in his life. “I’ve got to go.”
“Wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“I love you. Let’s get married on the island.”
“Don’t bother coming for me.” Luka ended the call and blocked Maleko.
He picked up his glass, drank all the scotch, then poured another one.
Luka’s heart tangled in a web of betrayal, confusion, and a desperate need for the truth. The revelation that the captain owned the house Maleko had targeted was like a gut punch, a cruel twist of fate that left him reeling. Luka went through a few of the captain’s drawers, searching for any papers showing his address.
He felt a cold sweat break out as he clutched a stack of insurance papers, the inked address a stark reminder of his darkest night. The air was thick with tension, each breath a struggle as he considered the man who had become his judge and jury. Why hadn’t he put it together? He had known the captain lived in Florida from the article he’d read. When he first met him, the captain was mean, and as they became close, he softened a bit. What was real? Was it all a show to soften him up and catch him off guard? What did he plan to do with him? Throw him overboard? Make him suffer for his crime?
Luka’s mind raced with questions, his thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and fear. Why had his father entangled him in this web of lies? Why had the captain withheld this vital piece of information? The unspoken words between them were as sharp as knives.
At that moment, Luka was a prisoner of his past, shackled by the secrets that bound him to both Maleko and the captain. The path forward was filled with uncertainty, but one thing was clear: he could no longer run from the truth. It was time to confront the shadows of his past and hope for some honesty from the captain.
“Luka!” The walls of the room seemed to close in on him, the weight of the captain’s gaze heavy upon his shoulders.
Luka was completely unaware of his presence, so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn’t heard him enter. He stood there, paralyzed, the weight of the papers he held immobilizing him.
“Why are you going through my papers?” Captain Clarke moved, so they stood face to face and grabbed the papers from his hands.
“I had to.”
“You had to go through my papers? Explain yourself now! I don’t understand why you would invade my privacy. I never gave you permission to go through my private things.”
“Now, I understand why you wanted me on your fucking ship.” Luka no longer felt safe on the ship. What if Maleko is right about Captain Clarke?
“What are you talking about?” He grabbed Luka’s shoulders, losing his patience.
“It was your home that went up in flames. You took me on this ship to punish me for burning your house down. Why would my father make a deal with you?”
“You didn’t burn my house. You sat in the car, or so you said, and I believed you.”
“Why didn’t you mention this to me or my father?”
“Your father sought me out, not the other way around.”
“Why would he send me to you, of all people? A man who would hate me.”
“I don’t hate you.”
“I should have been given this information before I agreed.”
“Your father told me not to tell you. I promised him I wouldn’t. I didn’t want it to affect our relationship.”
“How the hell can this not affect our relationship? You think I destroyed your home?”
“No, I don’t think that. It doesn’t have to affect anything. Give us a chance.”
“This isn’t the first time you’ve left me in the dark. We can’t have a relationship without truth.”
“We must have a decent one for you to complete your year on board. I want it to be an educational time for you.”
“Decent. There’s nothing decent about you. Maleko was right about you. You want to destroy me, don’t you?”
“Maleko? Did you talk to Maleko?”
“He called and told me who you were.”
“Oh, did he? Did he also tell you he deliberately set my house on fire?”
“What does it matter now?”
“It matters. Your boyfriend set my house on fire and destroyed everything in the world that was precious to me. Did he tell you why he did it?”
“He said you threw him out of the Marines for being gay. How could you? You’re gay.”
“That’s not why I threw him out. He lied to you.”
“Why did you then?”
“He used drugs and sold them to other service members.”
“Drugs. What drugs?”
“You weren’t supposed to have any contact with Maleko.”
“He called me.”
“Hang up next time.”
“What’s it to you? You won’t be fucking me anymore.”
Luka picked up his glass of scotch, turned, stomped to his side of the cabin, and slammed the door. He put his drink beside his berth, then threw himself on it. What was my father thinking?
He called his mother, but her phone was offline, something she did while she was in surgery. He needed to discuss his father and this insane deal he had made with the captain. Did she know who the captain was? Had she agreed to this too? How dare they put him in such jeopardy? No wonder he was so fucking mean when we first met. He had it all planned to make me pay for what Maleko did. Then why would he try to get close? How can I make any sense of a man who has a revenge agenda with me as the target?
Chapter 19 Captain Clarke
Westly didn’t know what to do about Maleko. He should have blocked his number, too. Hopefully, Luka blocked that idiot’s phone number after he had called, but if he hadn’t, Westly planned on doing it. Apparently, Maleko didn’t know Luka had gotten off too, and this was no time for Luka to find out. He surely would leave. He wanted to go to Luka, but he needed time to adjust to the new truth. Once they stopped in Sint Maarten, they could spend some quality time away from the ship. He leaned against the door between them and didn’t hear a sound. What was he doing in there? What if he left his cabin? He wouldn’t dare, would he?
Westly poured himself a drink and sat down in his chair. He had to go in there and check on him, but it might make him angrier. Nothing could be solved with Luka stewing on his side and away from him, though. He would try to explain why he took him on when his father asked. He’d tell him the entire story and hope.
After he finished his drink, he walked over to the door and opened it. Luka was on his knees, looking out the porthole. He was completely naked.
“I want to talk to you.”
“About what?” Luka turned around to face him.
“About my contract with your father. I want you to know all of it.”
Luka got up and sat in one of his chairs. “Could you sit so you’re not standing above me like you own me?”
Westly didn’t verbally respond but sat down across from him.
“I’m listening.”
“Your father called and asked if he could meet with me. He explained who he was, and that you drove the car but didn’t take any other part in the crime. I agreed to see him in Miami.”
“How did he know about you?”
“Court papers. We met at a bar and had a few drinks. Right off, I liked him. He was straightforward with what he wanted from me and why.”
“What did he want?”
“He wanted me to remove your name from the complaint claiming you were part of the crime. He told me you were a good kid and would never damage property. He told me how young you were, and that he wasn’t around to be a good role model for you. He asked me if I could teach you some skills and how to be independent. He wanted me to make sure you didn’t repeat your mistake. He said, ‘don’t be easy on my son.’ He needs to learn to be a man and accept the consequences of his actions. He told me you were gay, and he feared for your life in prison.”
“And you agreed to that when you knew I was involved with the destruction of your home?”
“I agreed with most of it. I kept your name on the complaint but made an agreement with the court for an alternative to prison. I intended to make you suffer. That all changed when I met you. I could see you weren’t a person who would destroy property or commit crimes.”
“But you lied to me all this time. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’ve already told you I had promised your father to keep the details of the deal from you. He didn’t want you to know who I was.”
“Tell me why you came on to me.”
“Why do you think?”
“To set me up and take me down, destroy me emotionally.”
“Luka, I told you I don’t do relationships well. I want you in my life, and I may have done it all wrong. Please, I want you to give me a chance to make this up to you.”
“Make what up? All your lying?”
“I didn’t lie. I kept my promise to your father.”
“I don’t know how I feel right now.”
“And how do you feel about Maleko?”
“I don’t owe you an inventory of my feelings.”
“I guess you don’t, but I want to have a relationship with you.”
“I’m not sure I want one with you. I’ll always feel you blame me for what happened. I can never make up for agreeing to go along with Maleko’s plan or for the destruction of your home.”
“I don’t blame you, Luka. If I did, you’d feel my anger. I don’t hold that against you. I know you wanted to keep Maleko and worried if you didn’t help, he’d find someone else. From what I know about him, he would.”
“I know all that, and I don’t plan on letting any man make a fool out of me again.”
“That’s not what I’m doing with you. We have an agreement and so far, we both are keeping to it, with one exception.”
“What’s that?”
“Me falling in love with you.”
“In love with me?”
“I feel something very deep inside for you. Now, mind you, that wasn’t my original plan. You’re tougher than you think. You’re determined to do your time without blaming anyone. I admire you for that. There are other things I love about you.”
“I thought I admired you and believed you’d help me straighten out, but now I’m not sure you have my well-being on your list. I wanted a relationship with you. I really did, but now I’m not sure.” He stood, walked over to his berth, and slipped beneath the covers. “I need to sleep, since I have to get up and scrub decks all day in the scorching sun.”
“I wish you were staying on my side.”
“Good night, Captain Clarke.” Luka closed his eyes, pretending he was sleeping.
Westly had no other option but to leave. He wouldn’t beg. There was no point pressing his luck tonight. He’d give Luka some time and space and then see if he’d want to talk more. He hoped Luka would miss spending time together. He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Luka.
Captain Clark: I’m sorry you’re upset with me. I hope you’ll come to understand my situation. Remember the day after tomorrow we’ll be stopping at Sint Maarten. You’ll have to come with me since I have business there. Hope you sleep okay. I miss you.
Westly waited for a response, but there wasn’t any. He didn’t know what to do to get Luka back into his bed. He turned on his laptop, did some research on Sint Maarten, and made some reservations for them.
Chapter 20 Luka
Luka tossed and turned all night, unable to find a comfortable position to sleep. His thoughts were a whirlwind, darting from one idea to another. The thought of Maleko wanting to meet him in Sint Maarten with his baseless marriage proposal sent an icy chill running down his back. While he had no fear of Maleko, he was terrified of the consequences of breaking his contract with the captain. The intensity of his anger grew, directed not only at his father but also at Maleko and the captain. Every time he let his guard down and placed his trust in someone, it ended up blowing up in his face. He desperately wanted to salvage his relationship with the captain, but he felt completely clueless about what steps to take.
He reread the captain’s message, going over the words repeatedly, as if trying to decipher a hidden meaning.
Captain Clark: I’m sorry you’re upset with me. I hope you’ll come to understand my situation. I wouldn’t have taken you on my ship if I thought you destroyed my home. Remember the day after tomorrow we’ll be stopping at Sint Maarten. You’ll have to come with me since I have business there. Hope you sleep okay. I miss you.
Luka stared at the message from Captain Clarke.
He claims to be sorry, but it’s only because he knows I’m upset with him. He hopes I’ll understand and forgive his dishonesty. He wants me to believe he took me on because he doubted my involvement in helping Maleko destroy his home. Little did I know he had a connection to my ex-boyfriend in the Marines, a fact he conveniently kept to himself. What else is he keeping from me? And Maleko never mentioned he was in the Marines, let alone was kicked out.
Luka got up and checked the door to the balcony. Much to his surprise, it swung open easily, revealing the breathtaking view outside. Without hesitation, he stepped out onto the balcony with no clothes on, feeling the cool tiles beneath his bare feet. His mind raced with possibilities, and he realized he needed some time alone to figure out what he wanted to do about the captain.
The salty wind teased Luka’s hair as he leaned on the wrought-iron railing of the balcony. Below, the endless expanse of the ocean stretched towards the horizon. The beauty did little to soothe the turmoil within him. Captain Clarke’s words hung heavy in the air, laced with regret and a stubborn pride mirroring Luka’s own.
The bitter anger continued to twist in Luka’s gut. The gentle sway of the ship did nothing to calm the intense emotions churning inside him. His father, the man he’d always put on a pedestal, had decided for him to serve Captain Clarke? He scoffed, a sound barely audible above the rhythmic whoosh of the waves. The revelation had ripped open a chasm of doubt, making him question everything he thought he knew about the captain and their connection.
