The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never by Gilbert Soysal

She found it curious that only men were stripped of their coats, their privacy laid bare, while women sailed through unchecked.

Curiosity tugged at her, but before she could delve deeper, Winston’s voice reached her ears.

“Don’t Linger.

It’s our turn.

”

The bodyguard, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, examined their credentials.

A flicker of recognition passed through his gaze, then with a curt nod, he ushered them aboard.

But as Hannah stepped onto the opulent deck, a familiar face, half-hidden in the crowd, sent a jolt through her.

Her brow furrowed, a memory stirring at the edge of her consciousness.

“What is it?” Winston asked, his voice laced with concern.

“What did you see?”

For a moment, the figure seemed to be Caleb.

eyes narrowed

the phantom Caleb vanished in

with the crisp, polite inquiry of a well-dressed

sir and madam, please allow me

his hand

ever the pragmatist, reacted first, handing over their tickets with a

scan of the confirmations, the waiter announced, “Your rooms are on the third floor, if you’ll

”

check

a ship’s anchor, tugged

after him into the shimmering elevator, the world shrinking to the

entering a floating Xanadu, a

ship; it was a leviathan of luxury,

each a two-floored haven of plush

vast French windows, the sea danced, a tapestry of shimmering turquoise and emerald, casting the space in

where the tide lapped at the

waiter explained, his tone both

sixth floor houses the spa sanctuary, where

invites you to embrace the Zen spirit amidst the thermal

a playground of aquatic delights, while

offers a curated emporium for those with discerning