“Is it necessary to continue our talk without the Captain present?” Nandi asked.
“I assure you, Signor Nandi, I have full authority to approve or decline any and all proposals.”
“We meant no disrespect,” Liam said,
“And none has been taken,” Pelt offered a light wave and a resolved smile. “Captain Diamante is a gifted navigator. I guarantee that. No man-made difficulties and few naturally made ones could keep your products from reaching their destinations. The process involved with moving those products from their places of origin through various ports of call require a certain finesse. My Captain views such details as tedious realities he’d rather not be involved with.”
Liam understood. “The Captain is blessed to have such a diligent crew.”
“Too right,” Pelt sent a grin to Nandi having adopted his earlier phrasing.
Glasses lifted then as laughter stirred between the men.
“Your offer has us intrigued, Mr. Tesano.” Pelt said. “How often can we expect shipments once we dock in Venice?”
“Our land based transport will bring the product from Trento to Venice,” Liam explained. “My associates oversee that part of the business,” he referred to Tonelo, Marco and Beniton who were also present for the discussion.
“Our biggest concern is with the bandits,” Beniton began. “Thankfully, our system of transport has so far proven foolproof.”
While the men talked, Nandi went to refresh his drink. Liam followed.
“What’s going on with you?” Liam asked when they had a measure of privacy at the bar cart.
“Going on?”
Liam’s mouth thinned, but he didn’t press for answers. Instead, he stood silently to wait out his friend’s stubbornness.
“Are you sure about her, Li?”
Liam smiled then having anticipated the man’s mood concerned Athena. “I am,” he said.
“And you’re sure about letting her into the business?”
Liam’s smile became a more rakish grin. “This about her being a woman.”
“About her being a certain kind of woman,” Nandi rephrased.
Liam’s easy manner faded. “I don’t like what you’re implying.”
“I’m implying what everyone else is too uneasy to say.”
Liam glanced to where Beniton, Tonelo and Marco were still in heavy conversation with Lindley Pelt. “What are they too uneasy to say?”
“That she’s not for you, Li. She’s not for any man-not any one man, that is.”
Liam’s brown eyes flashed wicked fire. “Are you trying to tell me something particular, Ric?”
Nandi bristled. “Not what you’re insinuating,” he inclined his head and regarded his best friend with an enlightened gleam. “I really don’t have to tell you anything, do I? You’re the smartest man I know, so you must know this.”
“Whatever I know or don’t know is no longer your concern, Ric.” Liam moved in closer to bring his low voice to an undeniable whisper. “Anything about Athena-about these suspicions-we never speak on them again after this night.”
“Li...” Nandi’s regret was completely etched in the syllable.
“I don’t want to hear it, Ric.”
“Not even if I know things, Li? Things she’s doing without question? Things that could make a fool of you?”
“We don’t speak on it,” Liam’s tone was as sharp as a blade. “I know what she is, Ric.”
Nandi blinked, a stonier resolve capturing his features. “You really don’t care, do you? You’re in love with her.”
“Maybe I see beyond what the rest of you can’t get past.”
Nandi gave a slow nod. “Alright then,” he sighed. “Alright then, Li. You have my word.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed, subtle amusement filtering them. “You think I’m an idiot, don’t you?”
“I don’t have to tell you anything, do I paesano?” Again, Nandi sighed. “Like I said, you’re the smartest man I know.”
Catching the dig, Liam grinned. Quiet laughter emerged while the men shook hands.
~~~
Somewhere in the bowels of The Venetian Sword, far below where Liam Tesano and his partners met for drinks around a blazing fire planting seeds of what they hoped to grow into a dynamic venture, far below where scores of ship’s passengers waltzed, lindy hopped or tangoed, sounds of betrayal and lust soared in the dark.
Athena welcomed the dark as she welcomed Jose Diamante. The dark was who she was, where she belonged. She told herself she had done her best to be the woman-the lady-she was supposed to be. What good had it done her? None.
Now, she was shedding the lie for the truth of who she was-who she wanted to be. The big, hairy Diamante grunted and bucked as he took her from behind. She was suspended between utter nausea and utter elation. His rough fingers dug into her hip, plunged into her sex and brought her to shocking climax once, twice.
