So, of course she was going.


    Besides, there were a couple of old friends she hadn''t seen in ages, and they''d all be attending. It was about time she caught up with them.


    Time really does fly.


    In the blink of an eye, the day of the charity g and auction arrived.


    Calliope finished packing up her things, and Damien had already changed into a sharp suit, sticking close to her side.


    "Ma''am, Mr. Myers asked me to stay with you at all times," Damien said seriously. "He can''t be here tonight, so I''ll make sure you''re safe."


    Calliope nodded.


    She sat down on the couch, sent a couple of texts, then looked up and chatted with Damien for a few minutes.


    After a little while, her phone buzzed-Portia was calling.


    They were on their way too, and Portia told Calliope to head out. They''d meet at the harbor.


    When Calliope arrived, Portia''s family had just pulled up as well. All four of them climbed out of their SUV, looking over in her direction.


    Portia was the first to run over.


    "Callie, let''s go!" she said, grabbing Calliope''s arm.


    Calliope smiled at her and turned to greet Portia''s family, who all waved back. Portia''s mom paid Calliope a few sweetpliments.<fnb6d0> For original chapters go to FindN0vel</fnb6d0>


    Then everyone boarded the cruise ship together.


    Their rooms were all grouped together, and thanks to Portia''s arrangements with the organizers, she and Calliope were sharing a cabin.


    Once they''d dropped off their bags, Portia grinned, practically bouncing on her heels.


    "Let''s go get some food! The auction''s not until tomorrow, so let''s have some fun tonight."


    Calliope nodded. "What do you want to do?"


    "Obviously, hit the casino!" Portia said, eyes gleaming. "It''s been forever since I yed."


    She was practically rubbing her


    hands together with excitement et


    Too bad Mavis on the if the thre@of us teamed up, we''d clean the ce out!"


    "But hey, we''ll manage on our own! And if we win big, we''ll take Mavis and that rascal Archie out for a celebration!"


    "Sounds good," Calliope agreed with a smile.


    The moment the two of them stepped into the hallway, they found Damien


    standing guard outside their door, looking as formal as ever.


    "Damien, what are you doing? You scared the life out of me!" Portia said, eyes


    wide. "Go enjoy yourself. I''ve got Callie with me!"


    "I have to stay with Ma''am," Damien replied earnestly. "Mr. Myers asked


    le to make sure she''s safe. The


    guest list tonight is eclecticI''m worried something might happen."


    Portia rolled her eyes. "She''ll be fine with me. I''ll protect her."


    Damien did not look convinced. Was she protecting Callie, or was it the other way around? Honestly she didnt strike him as the bodyguard typè.


    SWI


    He nced at Calliope, looking a little conflicted.


    After all, Mr. Myers'' orders were absolute, but this Portia was a handful. In truth, she kind of scared him.


    "It''s fine-let Damien tag along," Calliope said to Portia. "If there''s any trouble, he can handle it."


    "Alright,” Portia said after a pause. "I''m gonna see if my brother wants toe." She let go of Calliope and darted next door to knock on her brother''s cabin.


    "What''s up?" Crispin Sutton asked, buttoning his shirt cuffs.


    "Callie and I are going for some food, maybe hit the casino. You in?" Portia asked.