“Be my guest.” Alicia lowered her voice. “By the way, after traveling all the way to Singapore, there’s no way I’m leaving here empty-handed. I’m stealing all the full-size soaps and shampoos from the en suite.”

“Do it! And I’m totally packing that robe. Did you feel how soft it is?”

“I didn’t even see it.”

The two women talked for a while, and then Alicia collected Nicole’s bag from her room.

THE NEXT MORNING

The bed had been big enough for them both to have plenty of space, so Nicole woke the next morning surprised at how fitfully she’d slept.

She and Alicia debated going to breakfast. There was no telling what kind of mood Salim would be in. Would he be angry? Repentant? Out for vengeance? Finally, they decided if he wanted to harm them, he would have done it during the night.

Still, before they left Alicia’s room, Nicole went into the bathroom and removed a Gerber Terracraft tactical knife with a four-inch fixed blade from the false bottom in her makeup kit. She’d balked at packing it, but Nir had insisted she have it along for these sales calls on strangers’ boats. He’d been right. She strapped it to her upper calf under her orchid-pink linen Cabo pants.

Once their bags were packed, a steward stationed not far from Alicia’s room told them breakfast was on the top deck. As soon as the elevator opened, Nicole heard Saad’s voice.

“Ladies, welcome to another beautiful day in the South China Sea.” The two men stood next to a table filled with fruit and pastries and what appeared to be a mimosa at each place setting. “Please, come sit down.”

Arash and Saad had each taken position behind a pulled-out chair. Nicole sat in the one in front of Arash. Then once both women were in place, Saad said, “Before I sit, may I first say how sorry and embarrassed I am at my behavior last night. I wish I could blame it on the alcohol, but I was wholly in my right mind. I’ve just been dealing with some family and business pressures, and I let them cloud my judgment. I am without excuse, and I beg your forgiveness.”

Nicole said nothing, but Alicia answered. “You were a real jerk last night, and where I come from, people have been shot for less than what you did.”

Saad smiled. “Yes, the Wild West of America.”

“I’m not talking America. I’m talking Texas. In my state, we tend to give people second chances, but my mom used to tell me Sorry is as sorry does. So I look forward to seeing if your apology is genuine.”

“I hope I may be able to prove the veracity of my words to you.”

Arash had already taken a seat on the other side of the table, and Saad joined him.