CHAPTER 97: BACK IN LONDON COURAGE (3)

The moment Vicky received Liam’s message, she, Georgia, and Ella didn’t linger in the mall. As soon as they bought what they needed, they made their way to the port.

"You must’ve made quite an impression on Nick’s ship, Georgia, for Evelyn to request for you," Vicky remarked as they crossed the parking lot toward the vessel.

Georgia gave a dry laugh. "I’m not so sure about that. Honestly, I think it’s the other way around. Nick forbade anyone from speaking to me except Evelyn and Steven. The rest look at me like I’m some sort of a threat who would swallow them alive—except Sarah, who looks at me like she’d devour me alive and drag me straight to hell."

Vicky laughed, shaking her head. "So that’s the story! I know Sarah well—our families are close. Their company supplies manpower to us. Nick’s possessiveness over you must’ve scared the entire crew. That’s what’s making Sarah furious."

"Don’t tell her I said that," Georgia replied, feigning nonchalance, though her eyes glinted. "She might kill me in my sleep. Nancy’s enough trouble for now. I don’t need another woman aiming for my throat."

That sent Vicky and Ella into laughter.

"Oh, don’t get me wrong," Vicky added quickly. "She and I are not that close. Sarah only follows me around because I’m Nick’s sister. She wants to win my favor. She’s been in love with him since high school—took maritime studies just to follow in his footsteps."

"So... they’re together?" Ella asked with curiosity.

Vicky hesitated, glancing at Georgia, who seemed indifferent. "Uhm... how should I—"

"They’re fuck buddies," Georgia cut in smoothly, her smirk sharp. "No need to sugarcoat it, Vicky. Everyone on the ship knows. They don’t even try to hide it."

"I see," Vicky murmured, a small smile tugging her lips. "Well, my brother’s always been a womanizer. I suppose all men are—until they find the love of their life. Don’t you agree?"

Ella nodded thoughtfully. "That’s what they say."

Georgia’s voice was calm, but it carried an undercurrent of warning. "I don’t care what they are... as long as they don’t stand in my way or destroy my happiness. The moment they break my trust, I’ll walk away faster than a snap of the fingers."

Vicky chuckled. "Scary. I should warn Nick to stay still and behave." Her teasing earned another round of laughter.

When they reached the ship, Liam and Steven were already waiting on deck.

"Where’s Nick?" Vicky asked.

"He’s finishing paperwork for the endorsement," Liam replied. "Packing up after that."

"He’s probably on the bridge by now. Let’s head there," Steven said, leading the way.

But when they stepped into the bridge, the space was conspicuously empty—no sign of Nick. Even Sarah, who should have been on duty for her watchkeeping shift, was nowhere to be found. Only a lone cadet stood near the navigation console, eyes darting between them with mild curiosity.

"Have you seen the Captain?" Steven’s voice carried a sharp edge.

The cadet straightened. "He went to his cabin... to pack his things."

Steven’s jaw tightened. "And Sarah?"

"She followed him," the cadet replied, casual... almost oblivious to the tension rippling through the air.

Vicky’s pulse spiked, an uneasy heat crawling up her neck. ’You’d better be behaving, Nick. Don’t you dare fuck this up.’

Even Steven’s composure began to crack. Liam had already told him about the chaos after Nick had leapt overboard for Georgia, and Steven knew his captain too well.

And knowing Nick for years, he already knew what exactly was going on between Nick and Georgia.

That particular combination, Nick and Sarah, could only lead to trouble, or to be specific... It would only lead to bed, with Nick inside Sarah.

’Damn it, Sarah. I won’t let you ruin this for him,’ Steven swore silently, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

Liam shifted uneasily, the prickle of dread running through him. ’What the hell are they doing right now? Saying their goodbyes in bed?’

Georgia said nothing, her lips a neutral line, but Ella caught the subtle tightening of her fist—a sharp, silent tell of brewing fury. Her eyes betrayed nothing... but her body spoke volumes.

She knew Georgia better than anyone, and today, every subtle flicker in her friend’s eyes told her exactly how she felt about Nick. And Ella would be damned before she let another man break Georgia’s heart the way Raymond had. Not again. Not on her watch.

"So... are those two fucking right now or not? Should we go? We wouldn’t want to interrupt, would we?" Ella’s voice dripped with sarcasm, her words slicing through the tense air.

That was the moment Georgia snapped. Her hand shot out, gripping Ella’s firmly.

’Not this time. I won’t face this alone again.’ The memory of Raymond’s cabin flashed in her mind—the door swinging open to reveal her fiancé tangled in another woman’s arms, lips locked, bodies pressed together on his bed. The humiliation. The gut-punch betrayal.

"Let’s go. I know the way," Georgia said, her voice low but resolute.

Ella didn’t resist; she simply nodded, letting Georgia drag her forward, their footsteps echoing like a battle drum as they strode toward the Captain’s cabin.

Behind them, Vicky, Liam, and Steven stood frozen, caught in the electric stillness of the moment—as if time itself had stopped and was holding its breath for what was about to unfold.

The three bolted after Georgia and Ella, but the women moved with a purpose, swift and unyielding, like soldiers charging into battle. Determined and full of conviction.

At the far end of the hallway, Georgia and Ella slowed just enough to listen... and there it was. Low, unmistakable sounds that curled under the skin and set the blood humming.

They quickened their pace, almost running now. The closer they drew, the clearer it became—the noise was coming from Nick’s cabin.

Georgia’s pulse thundered in her ears, every beat a rush of heat and dread. ’What the hell is going on, Nick?!’ she screamed inwardly, her steps breaking into a full run as she yanked Ella with her.

********

Thank you for the Golden Ticket!

Cherry_Pei