CHAPTER 95: BACK IN LONDON COURAGE (1)

After lunch, the group split ways. Oliver returned to the police station, while the ladies... at Vicky’s insistence... wandered off to shop. Liam and Nick, however, headed straight for the port after news came that Nick’s ship had just docked.

As they strode along the port, Liam couldn’t help but ask. "Are you really okay with losing your Captain’s license?" Liam asked with concern. "You know Oliver can fight it and win for you, right?"

"I know," Nick replied without hesitation. "And I’m sure. I won’t be needing it. Not the professional one, at least, not for large vessels. I still want to operate our yacht sometimes."

Liam frowned. "I don’t get what’s going on with you, man. All these sudden changes... everything you’re doing for Georgia."

Nick’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk. "It’s not complicated. I like Georgia. I want to date her. And I can’t do that if I’m always out at sea, commanding a ship. I think it’s the right time to make the changes in my life, don’t you think?"

Liam stopped dead in his tracks, his jaw dropped in disbelief. His brother... the man notorious for his string of lovers, his selfish streak, his untouchable freedom—was ready to throw away a career he’d bled for... just to be with one woman.

"Close your mouth before a bug flies in," Nick teased, catching his expression.

"You’re joking, right? This is just a prank?" Liam asked, still half-expecting a laugh.

But Nick only gave him one last smirk, the kind that carried both promise and challenge. "You’ll see," he murmured, clapping Liam on the shoulder before striding up the ramp and onto the ship, leaving the question hanging in the salt-laden air.

"Hey! We’re not done yet. Answer me," Liam demanded, but Nick only laughed at him.

"Why don’t you join me in. That way you’ll understand better... I noticed how you stare at Ella. Don’t you dare deny it!" Nick said as he continued to walk up the ramp.

That shut Liam up instantly. He swallowed hard, the weight of Nick’s words settling in his gut, and for once decided not to press further.

Nick caught the silence and let a slow, knowing smirk curl his lips. Bullseye.

"You actually showed up!" Steven, the ship’s Chief Mate, barked the moment Nick’s feet hit the deck.

Nick grinned, stepping forward for the usual bro hug, only for Steven to lunge in, hook an arm around his neck, and squeeze with the force of a vice.

"You’re still breathing, you son of a bitch! I ought to finish you right here, right now!" Steven growled, his grip tightening. "How dare you ditch me and still be alive?"

Liam burst out laughing, hands in his pockets, watching his brother thrash in Steven’s headlock like a caught fish. "Want me to save you, or bet who’s gonna win?"

"Enough, you two!" Evelyn’s sharp voice cut through the ruckus, but it was Sarah’s gasp that truly broke the moment.

"Nick!" she cried, rushing across the deck. Without hesitation, she tore Steven’s arm away and pulled Nick into a fierce embrace, her slender frame trembling against him.

Nick coughed, still feeling the burn in his throat, and gently pried her off with one hand while rubbing his neck. "Damn, you’ve got a grip," he muttered, eyeing Steven.

Steven only smirked, then yanked him into a real hug this time. "I’m glad you’re alive, brother... even if I still want to kill you for making me worry."

"Yeah, me too," Nick said. "Almost died, though. Got food poisoned from an oyster. Good thing Georgia was there, shoved her disgustingly bitter herbs down my throat until I could function normally again." His lips curled into a proud, almost defiant smirk.

Sarah froze mid-step. "That bitch is still alive?!" she spat, her voice sharp enough to cut through the sea breeze.

Liam caught the flash of possessiveness in her tone and nearly burst out laughing, but quickly hid it behind a cough and his hand.

"Of course she is," Evelyn replied, her gaze steady on Sarah. "Why wouldn’t she be?" She turned to Nick, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "Is she with you? I’d like to see her again."

"She is," Nick answered smoothly. "She’s with my sister and her friend, shopping at the mall nearby. I can tell them to drop by if you want. I need to head to my cabin anyway, grab my things, clear it out."

Sarah’s frown deepened. "Clear it out? You’re leaving? You still have two months on your contract."

"I know," Nick said, voice low but final. "But I’m not finishing it."

He turned to Steven, laid a firm hand on his shoulder, and added with a half-smile, "This man here is your new Captain. Unofficially, for now. Not until his certification and paperwork are sorted."

Evelyn’s eyes widened, a grin breaking across her face. "Oh my! Congratulations, Chief—or should I say Captain? What on earth do we call you now?" Her playful tone earned a round of chuckles from the group... all except Sarah, whose disappointment hung heavy and unspoken in the salty air.

"What do you mean you’re not coming back? Are you sick? Injured?" Sarah’s voice was sharp with alarm, her eyes scanning him as if searching for hidden wounds.

Nick’s lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile. "Relax. I’m perfectly fine. I just decided... this Chapter is over. Once the authorities take my license, I won’t be fighting to keep it."

Her brows knitted. "Why?"

Before she could press further, Steven stepped in, his voice uncertain. "Wait... you’re serious about promoting me?"

"Absolutely." Nick clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder, his tone both firm and final. "I’ve already sent my letter of recommendation to the main office. I’ll handle the rest when I reach the city. I’ll be transferring to the main office as soon as I get back."

Sarah’s gasp cut through the air. "The main office? You hate working there. You belong out here. You like working at sea and traveling."

Nick’s smirk held a quiet defiance. "Not anymore, Sarah. My priorities have changed... and so have my desires." His eyes lingered, as if those words held a secret no one else in the room could decipher.

Without waiting for her reply, he turned toward the bridge. "Liam," he called over his shoulder, "tell Vicky to bring Georgia and Ella here. I need to wrap things up."

Liam nodded, already pulling out his phone. "I’ll check the main deck—those cargoes belong to my company, right?"

"Yeah, I’ll come with you," Steven said, falling into step beside him.

The two men disappeared toward the deck, leaving Sarah and Evelyn in tense silence.

When Evelyn noticed Nick was still within sight, she dashed forward. "Captain! Wait, I’ll help you pack!"

Nick didn’t stop walking. He just lifted a hand, giving her a casual thumbs-up before vanishing inside.

Sarah stood frozen, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her glare locked on the door he’d gone through. A storm brewed in her eyes as she muttered under her breath, "That woman will never get close to Nick... not while I’m still breathing."