Threading behind Noelie through a dark wooden enclave resembling a Spanish galleon crammed with nautical memorabilia, Raisa could barely hear herself think above the din of conversation, the clang of serving bells and rousing seafaring music. Toward the rear of the bar, several tables had been pushed together. Nick and most of his staff huddled together talking and nursing drinks. He smiled broadly when he saw Noelie and Raisa. “Here are my two favorite girls,” he said, rising to give each a hug and pulling out chairs for them. “Thanks for coming.” Raisa settled between Nick and Noelie. Some of the staff had not come as promised, and she realized that she would not have a chance to say goodbye to them. As she turn to drape her purse over her chair, she noticed the scrutiny of a sharply dressed man sitting with two other polished executives at a nearby table. With her sultry Latin looks, flashing dark eyes and voluptuous figure, she was used to attracting both male and female attention, but when her gaze met his, her heart skipped a beat.
