Chapter 212
Aria's POV
The seasickness medication was taking effect, clearing the fog from my mind as I carefully made my way out of the yacht's resting cabin. The gentle sway of the vessel still threatened my balance, and I instinctively reached out to grasp Devon's sleeve for support. His crisp white suit jacket felt cool under my fingertips, the expensive fabric barely wrinkling despite my desperate clutch.
Devon glanced down at my hand, the corner of his mouth turning slightly downward, but he didn't shake me off. "The medication should last about six hours. That should get you through tonight's event," he said quietly, his eyes scanning what remained of the paleness in my face.
I nodded, wondering why I so easily accepted this man's arrangements for me, while my eyes anxiously searched the horizon for any sign of our destination.
"Right ahead," Buzz pointed toward a massive white vessel gleaming in the distance. "Diamond Sky—my floating club, the most exclusive social venue on the East Coast."
The scale of the superyacht made me hold my breath as we approached. It was enormous, at least three hundred feet long, with multiple decks rising like a floating palace. I noticed Devon's shoulders tense slightly, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his thigh—a tell I'd come to recognize as his internal alert system activating.
As our smaller yacht pulled alongside the behemoth, Buzz flashed a self-satisfied grin. "Kane, I hope tonight's proposal meets your expectations. We've spent three months preparing it, after all."
Devon returned a professional smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We'll see." His voice was cool, almost frigid, and I felt a shiver run down my spine that had nothing to do with the sea breeze.
Stepping onto the superyacht, I was immediately struck by the ostentatious luxury—crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and gold-leaf decorations adorned every surface. The air smelled of expensive perfume, cigar smoke, and something else I couldn't quite identify—perhaps power itself. As Buzz led us through several decks, I noticed a secluded casino area where men in tuxedos and women in evening gowns gathered around gaming tables, stacks of chips worth more than most people's annual salaries changing hands with casual indifference.
"Stay within ten meters of me," Devon whispered, his palm resting lightly on my lower back. "These people didn't make their money through legitimate means." His touch was warm through the thin fabric of my dress, both reassuring and possessive.
We arrived at a VIP suite on the top deck, where Buzz bowed with exaggerated elegance. "Please rest for now. We'll discuss details in the conference room later." I caught a calculating gleam in his eyes as he closed the door behind him, leaving us alone in the opulent space.
Inside the suite, Devon had just finished showering, his hair still damp, wearing only a bathrobe as he worked on his laptop. The white terrycloth contrasted with his bronzed skin, and I found myself staring a moment too long before turning away. I curled up by the floor-to-ceiling windows, entranced by a pod of dolphins leaping through the waves, their sleek bodies arcing gracefully against the deepening twilight.
"Devon, look at those dolphins!" I turned excitedly, only to find him completely absorbed in his work, his expression unreadable, fingers flying across the keyboard with practiced precision. "Why did Buzz want to meet you at sea?" I asked, trying to penetrate his concentration.
Without looking up, he replied, "Perhaps to make it easier to throw you overboard to feed the sharks." Despite his joking tone, I felt a flicker of unease crawl across my skin. Sometimes I couldn't tell when he was being sarcastic or eerily honest.
"Can I go explore? I'd like to find something to eat." My curiosity was getting the better of me, and staying confined in the suite with an unresponsive Devon was becoming stifling.
Devon considered for a moment, then reached for his phone. "Roman, accompany Ms. Harper while she explores. Keep her within sight at all times." His tone left no room for negotiation, either with me or the security guard.
With the burly security guard Roman following close behind, I wandered through several decks of the yacht. His presence was like a shadow, quiet but unmistakable. I was surprised to discover that beneath its luxurious facade, Diamond Sky was essentially a high-end illegal casino, with wealthy patrons from around the world gambling enormous sums. The clicking of chips, soft murmurs of conversation, and occasional bursts of laughter created a soundtrack of privilege.
On the observation deck, a familiar silhouette caught my eye—a tall figure with a distinctive scar on his left ear and a profile similar to Devon's, but more rugged. He stood with his back to me, talking intensely with a group of men I didn't recognize.
"Is that Connor Kane?" I murmured, more to myself than anyone.
Roman immediately tensed beside me, his hand moving subtly toward his concealed weapon. "Yes, Miss. We should head back now." His voice had dropped an octave, urgency evident in every syllable.
I felt my stomach tighten. Connor's presence here couldn't be coincidental. Devon had rarely spoken about his brother, but the few mentions had been tinged with distrust and resentment.
Using the restroom as an excuse, I briefly managed to slip away from Roman. As I was about to exit, I overheard low voices from an adjacent meeting room.
"...once we acquire the quantum chip patents, Kane Technology will lose half its market value." I recognized Buzz's voice, slick with anticipation.
Another voice responded, "My brother is too confident. He thinks no one can crack his encryption system."
I froze, my hand hovering over the door handle. Connor continued, "The wine at tonight's dinner contains a special ingredient that will impair his judgment when signing. You'll get the technology license you want, and I'll gain control of the board."
My heart raced. I needed to warn Devon immediately.