FreedomofThree by Liberty Stafford Page B

cosmic wraith’s information to Botanica.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twenty-Two
    Getting To Know You
     
     
    When Brandana and Raniko met in the hotel reception at lunchtime, both were looking a little disappointed. Neither of them had been able to locate Devon whose contract had been terminated and he had, of course, left no forwarding address. Both of the women were eager to try and find him, although for totally different reasons. Both also believed that Devon would not be far away and might even possibly come back to the hotel since there was some outstanding salary to be settled. A leisurely lunch was what both of them needed since they had been travelling for some time and were both more than a little weary.
    They met in the foyer and adjourned to the restaurant which was themed on the tropical surroundings. Tables, chairs and other furnishings were fashioned from pieces of driftwood, either bolted together or tied with thick rope. Tablecloths of spotless white linen draped down towards a bleached wooden floor. Cutlery was wound round with thin rope on the handles and the menus were printed on pressed, bleached seaweed paper.
    Both women had been back to their ships to change and Brandana had given Hans leave to explore the resort for an hour or two. Although neither of them fully recognised it yet, their meeting had created a powerful spark. Confused as yet with the thrill of taking down the Ratt Pirate, something romantic had begun to blossom and both wanted to look their best.
    Raniko wore a cream silk trouser suit which clung to her firm thighs and flared out elegantly towards her gold, designer shoes, the material billowing like the sea as she moved. Her blouse was cut low to the belly button, secured with tape around her curvaceous chest, into which spilled a long necklace of two golden strands fastened together with a good sized square diamond. Her hair was wild and flowing, showing her lustrous thick tresses to the full. Brandana wore a red halter dress in a soft, dreamy, jersey fabric that appeared to be melted onto her skin. Her hair was tied back loosely, framing her pretty face.
    Ordering a seafood platter to share, swimming in creamy tarragon sauce, they served themselves in the giant oyster shell bowls.
    “Your rebellion sounds interesting,” Raniko said. “Unfortunately I can’t help you.”
    “Why?” Brandana flinched. “I know you don’t support the pirates.”
    “No,” Raniko laughed, “nothing of the sort. I’m a bounty hunter. I do what I like and I certainly don’t trust pirates.”
    Brandana nodded. “A bounty hunter? You don’t look like one, although you do act like one. My brother, he looks like a bounty hunter, all scruffy and ratty. So what brings you to Botanica?”
    “Just business, nothing important,” Raniko lied.
    “Not for a bounty?”
    “Something like that.”
    “Of course, you can’t talk about it, I understand.”
    “What about you, Brandana? What brings you here?”
    She sighed. “A man, I’m afraid.”
    “I see.” Raniko arched her brows. “Have you come far for him?”
    “I suppose so. We have a bit of history together.”
    “Dangerous.” Raniko wrapped her tongue around a curled, pink tentacle of squid.
    “Isn’t that what women like us want?” Brandana asked, her question surprising them both.
    “Danger?” Raniko repeated. “Amongst other things. Good food and diamonds rank pretty high, too. Is he handsome?”
    “Yes,” Brandana lost herself in her thoughts. “It might sound ridiculous but I can’t get him out of my mind. I’ve never felt anything like it before. If I’m honest, I don’t know if I like it. I don’t feel in control of it.”
    “Must be love.” Raniko scowled.
    Breaking up their good natured banter was an old local woman dressed in lace skirt and shawls who often came to the hotel selling roses to romantic couples. Seeing the two women deep in conversation, supping oysters and juicy prawns, she had something she