Captivating The Bear. Jane Godman

yachts must belong to the celebrities who were staying in the same hotel as Beast. With their helicopters and satellite systems, they resembled floating palaces. Nearby, the tiny, colorful fishing craft were dwarfed by them. She followed the line of the water’s edge before sitting on the harbor wall, planning her next move.

      After a while, one boat drew her attention away from her thoughts. Long, low and colorful with loud pop music blaring from its decks, it didn’t fit in with either the billionaires’ yachts or the working vessels. Intrigued, Lidi got to her feet and moved closer so she could read the painted sign on its side. Although it was rough and ready, it had been translated into several languages, including English.

      Party Boat! Cruise with Us from Cannes to Genoa.

      The Mediterranean climate was mild, but the middle of winter seemed a strange time to offer cruise parties. Then again, what did she know about such things? If there was a cruise happening, it interested her for one important reason. The Italian port of Genoa was a long way from home, but if she could get there, she would be heading in the right direction.

      Lidi studied the boat, considering her options for how to get on board and remain hidden for the duration of the journey. As she did, a man sprang down from the deck. Landing neatly on the quayside next to her, he gestured to the vessel with a grin.

       “N’est-elle pas belle?”

      Although she didn’t speak French, Lidi understood enough to know that he was inviting her to admire the boat.

      “Beautiful,” she agreed, speaking English. It wasn’t necessarily the first word that occurred to her as she looked at the garish craft, but politeness prevented her from telling the truth.

      “Ah, you are English? American?” He switched languages easily.

      “Russian.” It was the language that was closest to her mother tongue and it was easier than trying to explain where she actually came from.

      Since she was trying to figure out a way to stow away on the boat, she didn’t really want to get into a conversation. But it seemed the man had other ideas. It was impossible to judge his age. With skin that was tanned almost mahogany and dreadlocks tied back in a ponytail, he was dressed in jeans and a sweater that were both faded almost to the point of extinction.

      “Ah. So, you say ‘preevyet.’ Yes?”

      “Preevyet.” Lidi returned the greeting with a smile. Despite the urgency of her predicament, it was impossible not to like him. And by talking to him, she might be able to find out more about his journey. “Are you going to Genoa today?”

      “Tonight. This is not usually the season, but it’s a private party.”

      Having spoken to him, she felt bad about her plans to trick her way on board. Not bad enough to abandon the scheme, of course. Getting to Genoa would take a big chunk out of her journey. She decided on a risky strategy.