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.

narrowed in

Caleb vanished in a

the crisp, polite inquiry of

please allow me

held out his hand

pragmatist, reacted first, handing

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

”

to check the

voice, firm as a ship’s anchor, tugged Hannah back

the shimmering elevator,

a floating Xanadu, a glittering oceanside suburb

leviathan of luxury,

haven of plush cushions and opulent

French windows, the sea danced, a tapestry of shimmering turquoise and emerald, casting the space in an ever-shifting ballet of light and

to inhabiting a submerged palace, one where the tide lapped at the very

tone both

houses the spa sanctuary, where tranquility

to embrace the Zen

of aquatic delights,

for