Chapter 6

Francesca was different than most of the girls he knew that tried to get his attention by cornering him on the lower decks or by exposing their body parts. She was timid and avoided the wild shipboard parties that were frequently thrown by the crewmembers. She tried to conceal her delicate beauty, but it was hard to hide even if she kept her head ducked most of the time. And for some reason that he could not fathom, she seemed to only have eyes for him no matter how much he tried to dodge those big brown eyes.

Gio began to wonder if a relationship on a ship could work—with the right person.

And then Nicco had begun to appear, always making her smile, inviting her to exclusive shipboard events that the hospitality crew didn't have access to. And Gio had backed away. He was thirty-three and too old to play games of competing for a girl's attention—at least that's what he told himself, but in truth, he just wasn't ready to open up again.

Nicco had won the girl, but it soon became evident that she was just a game for him. Gio had once seen her leaving one of the crew parties in tears because of Nicco's open flirting and the other man seemed unfazed. Gio had wanted to go after her and comfort her, but what could he say? Nicco had hurt her but hadn't he done the same by not acknowledging their mutual attraction?

So instead he'd called Nicco out and had ended up making a laughing stock of himself. As everyone said, it wasn't his business. But once Nicco knew how Gio felt, it only caused the man to be even more cruel to the sweet girl, so that by the end of the cruise she had left the ship with a heart as bruised and broken as Gio's had ever been.

When he had later learned that he'd lost the Superior Genie position to Nicco, it was the straw that had broken the camel's back. After thirteen years of working on cruise ships, Gio had turned in his notice. He knew that he could easily get another job. Over the years he had been pursued by rich as well as famous celebrities that had been impressed with his expertise.

After this tour he would have a very nice cushion in the bank so that he could take his time selecting his next job, and that wasn't factoring in the gifts and tips that he always received from his guests.

Nicco finally continued with his meeting, pointlessly going over minute details that the small crew of eight would already have drilled into their DNA. None were fledglings. But instead of allowing them to enjoy their final hours of freedom he was actually making them work.

"There's going to be a slight change to the schedule," Nicco said while staring at Gio. "Giacomo, you will take over the duties for the American in PH-2. I'll be taking over the VIP Loft." Nicco waited for Gio's reaction but Gio didn't so much as flinch.

Only two penthouses required 24-hour butler service and on this tour only one had been booked. Traditionally the Head Superior Genie would have taken it because it was an unwritten rule that they took the hardest jobs.

It wasn't easy being on call all day, every day. Sometimes guests become inventive in the middle of the night taking glee in finding some obscure task in the wee hours of the night to test whether their genie was truly available 24-hours a day.

Unlike the butlers that worked from morning until ten p.m., the 24-hour genies were sometimes forced to call in replacements, especially when dealing with a family of four or more.

He'd obviously done it many times before when both penthouses had been booked. He had taken pride when he didn't have to call in replacements, but there was no doubt that it was a more difficult job.

"That's supposed to be your assignment," Paolo said finally breaking the silent stalemate. When he spoke, others grumbled in agreement.

"Paolo. It's fine." Gio said casually. "I don't mind the extra tips." He gave Nicco a smug look.

Nicco ignored him but turned his attention on Paolo, a slender Brazilian young man that was popular with the guests due to his easy smile and humorous observations. Today, though, Paolo was far from his happy-go-lucky self.

"Paolo," Nicco said while crossing through an item on his clipboard. "Since you are so worried about your friend's abilities you can be his replacement."

Paolo raised his brow. "So, you don't want me assigned to VIP C?"

Nicco grinned. "You can do both, can't you?"

Paolo frowned. "Of course, I can. I'm a Super G."

Replacements rarely got tipped which is the reason that it was typically worked on a rotational basis. But he'd taken a stand and Paolo refused to back down. The others would see that Nicco was a dictator.

Nicco walked up to both men and this time he smiled. "Your guest is an American. She's contacted the ship no less than three times already. I'm sure she'll be a delight."

Gio followed the man with his eyes, refusing to react and after a moment Nicco inhaled and backed down.

He concluded the meeting after a few more unnecessary instructions to his crew and then they disbanded to prepare for their guests.

"He's even more of a dick now that his new position has gone to his head." Paolo said after checking to ensure that Nicco wasn't behind them as they headed down the corridor.

Gio shrugged. "Thanks for looking out, but now you're in his crosshairs and I'll be gone."

"Gio, you don't have to leave. Just work different ships-"

Gio placed an arm around his friend. "It's not just Nicco. I'm ready for a change."

Paolo nodded. In the past he had poked fun at Gio for not engaging in the shipboard frolics, but he'd also respected him. It was hard to maintain relationships when you worked for a cruise line that rotated their staff between a fleet of four ships. It might be years before you worked again with someone that you'd connected with.