Danika

39

'i look forward to a drink' "only ten more minutes Danika. This has been a brilliant cruise" "I think so too. A drink though. You need to break that rule" Adrian laughed "let's change it. But.. no drinking eight hours before your shift" "YES" Adrian and Fred laughed "it's only taken years" "you should've spoken up sooner" "very true" standing on the stern of the boat, Danika looked at everyone as they stepped off of the cruise ship. Looking around, danikas heart rate increased. 'what?. Why are they here?' 'knew it' "it's time" "a drink" the men laughed as all three of them walked into their cabins and grabbed their suitcases. 'time to go have that needed drink. It's been a fun yet long two weeks. Then I'm on a plane tomorrow'. Danika walked down the ramp with Adrian and Fred to the pier. "See you in two weeks" "yeah. Don't miss me" "never" Danika grinned as the men walked off. 'keys' Alexander, Craine, Otto, carter, Shannon, vandal and Jason walked towards Danika. "You cut contact" "it's what your father wanted" Alexander embraced Danika as the others waited their turn. "Been well?" "I have" Alexander nodded as he pulled away. "You men?" "Yes. Hart closed shop" "I wouldn't know. Haven't had contact with anyone" "no one?" "Teresa and April. Gunther is still there" "I believe it's going well" Danika nodded "we'd like to spend some time with you. I understand you have only docked.." "I'm going to see Carlos" the guys grinned "then you need to drop your car off" Danika nodded 'very short but I expected it' "we will see you there" "alright" "nah I'm coming. I haven't been able to fucking annoy you in years" "great" the guys laughed "he hasn't changed a bit".
Entering her car, Danika started it up and let it warm while Carter stared at her "what?" "Just annoying you" "you really are annoying" "my partner thinks so too" Danika internally grinned "is she good?" "Well she's put up with me for two years" "she deserves a medal" carter laughed "probably. She's going to be at the hotel. Many have been trying for years" Danika nodded "I take it you are still single?" "Married" "WHAT?" "have a daughter too" carter looked at danikas left hand "fucking liar" "yep" carter laughed "I dare you to say that in front of the men" "alright" Danika drove into her driveway and locked the gates then got out with carter. Taking her suitcase in, Danika called a cab. "This hasn't changed a bit. Do you not upgrade anything?" "I like it. I'm only here one week a month anyway" "what?. Why?" "I spend two weeks on the water. A few days with April, go out and then rest for a week" "a party person now?" "No. I like to experience life. Even went to an opera. I understand it but it was boring" carter chuckled. 'the cab is here'.

Arriving at the hotel, Danika exited the car with carter. "Carter.." Danika looked at the woman. 'Brunette, hazel eyes. She's pretty' "who is this?" "Georgia this is Danika" "oh my god. Finally. I have heard a lot about you. How are you?" "Well thanks. I'm surprised you haven't left his ass. He's annoying" Georgia laughed "he's entertaining" Danika nodded "good to meet you, Georgia. I need a drink" "all of us. It's busy in there" "they can move" carter laughed 'they called everyone in'. Entering the hotel, Danika scanned the hotel before looking at Carlos. 'shes here' Carlos left his post and walked around the bar. 'only more stunning' Carlos embraced Danika "it's good to see you raven. It's been a long time. Many of us have been very worried" Danika nodded as she pulled away "a quiet one this one" "not always. A scotch?" "That would be great" "what's new?" Carter held in his laughter "married and have a little girl.." "WHAT. WHO THE FUCK IS IT. WHERE IS SHE?". Just like carter, Carlos looked at danikas left hand "SHES PULLING YA CHAIN" carter laughed "dare complete" "fucking hell. Why a way to stir everyone up" "I'm surprised your man hasn't put a ring on your finger. You are gorgeous" Danika looked at Samara "oh.." "don't be afraid of her. She likes to suss people out" "you are Shannon's partner?" "Yes" "congratulations Shannon" "HEY" the men laughed "I believe everyone is beautiful in their own way. thank you" Danika picked up her glass and sculled it. "When was your last drink?" "Two weeks ago" "you can't drink on the ship?" "I can now. Adrian changed the rules" "you mentioned it?" Danika nodded. 'there are so many here and no one knows how to approach her?. Are they scared of her?'. 'shes even more stunning now' xavion stood up and walked danikas way. "Danika?" "Hi dad" "he's your father?. You look nothing alike" "she is my late wife's twin" "you were a very lucky man then" "thank you. Have you been well?" "I have. You?" "It's been a lot more relaxed. I shut down hart. The men still get together but all of them have new positions. I'm retired" Danika nodded "more time to do what you want" "I have wanted to see you. Gunther came to visit. Told me you are doing well. You go there every month" "I do. I have my own villa. I don't want to interrupt their lives. April is doing very well at school" "I have been told all of her scores. Shes still set on being a vet" "I doubt it will change. She tries to rescue every animal she can" "Gunther said they now have three cats, a fish and a turtle" Danika chuckled "they do. Tiger is still around. Gunthers a liar" "he stuffed up.." "he said he didn't want cats and yet sits there petting them while they sit on his lap" xavion grinned "it's no surprise. What about you?" "No animals, no partner, no kids. Work and play" "you don't have a partner?" Danika looked at Georgia "no" "that I'm really surprised about" 'she may be but we aren't. Danika is set in her ways' music kicking in, Danika looked around "come on" Danika smirked "move" Danika rolled her eyes and walked to the floor with carter and Shannon. 'this will be interesting to watch. She's in her work gear' "don't know how to dance these days?" "Never have. Like this right?" Danika stepped to the side and dipped down making the guys laugh "good to see nothing has changed" 'so many men have their eyes On my daughter and yet she doesn't look at any man like that' "she's even more gorgeous now" the men nodded "well go ask her to dance" "are you kidding?" The men laughed "those two can get away with it. They have been able to break through her brick wall since they met her but they also put forward that they don't see her as partner material" "I do. She's fucking stunning. What's wrong with her? She has it all" "as Danika said, everyone is beautiful in their own way" "we need to take her out" "it won't change anything. Danika always said she doesn't want marriage and kids" "seriously?" Otto nodded. 'many would be thrilled to have a woman like her'.
Kicking it around on the floor, Danika relaxed and let loose. 'there she is' Danika flipped backwards. Carter being a smart ass, he dipped her making Shannon and Danika laugh "going back in time to the formal there carter" "ours was heaps better" "Definitely".
Ernst entering the hotel, he stopped in his tracks. "EAGLE" danikas chest raised as she looked at Ernst. "dad" Ernst walked past the men up to Danika "my words didn't come out clear that day. You took it wrong" "you stated what you did" "I would've put measures In place. Have you had problems?" "No" 'very straightforward' 'fuck I wasn't sure what my dad would do' "you left" "no" "but cut contact" "to protect your son.." Ernst lowered his head shocking many "it's what you put across. You want him safe. I respected that" "you put worry in all of us. Everyday, the more time went on, the worry only grew. Your life?" "Bliss" "involving what?" "Work, play, April and Teresa" "play?" "Experiences" "you have met someone.." "no" "I thought it may have been the case. Again, I was wrong. Your allies?" "Teresa and April. Work crew" carter cleared his throat "he must be getting sick" Ernst internally grinned "many respect you. We should talk".