God, I should’ve never flung her from the balcony. Hell, I’m not sure she can even tread water, but she must’ve passed basic training, for chrissake.
Eyes straining at the dark expanse, my throat tightens along with my resolve. We will find her. We must. I will accept no other conclusion.
Chapter 20
Landy
He threw me off the balcony?My limbs thrash and I almost shout for help until I recall the guards. Those guys are about to find their unconscious general. Resigned, I point my toes, straighten my legs, and shoot my arms above my head. From four stories up, I fall in deep, and wonder whether I’ll resurface before needing air.
Since I don’t relish drowning, my feet kick like mad toward the lighted surface. Hope flares, I break above the waves, and as I gasp, the yacht’s motor chugs a duet with gunfire. Oh God, no. The boat moves out to sea, leaving me alone in the moonless night.
I tread water, remain calm, and pray no sharks inhabit the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, the ship’s twinkling lights disappear, removing my only lifeline.
Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m in the ocean and miles from land. Do I wait for my team or swim?
Damn, I need you, bounty guy. Come find me.A Marine does not give up and although not a strong swimmer, I can perform the basics. Eyes on a point of light halfway up the volcano, I move throughout the night, alternating strokes and resting when my muscles burn.
Should I succumb to sleep, I will die. So, to stay awake, I weaponize my life’s most insomnia-inducing moments, and relive the trial that changed my life.
“The lieutenant absolutely participated willingly, your honor.” My commander sounds so damn believable, for a moment, I doubt my own sanity and wonder if the whole thing, was indeed a dream.
Hell, willing or not, a relationship between an officer and his subordinate is strictly forbidden.
I listen to his made-up story for a while, then jump out of my seat and scream, “You are such a goddamned liar.”
My lawyer shushes me, and I sit. In the crowd of mostly men, I look like the crazy one. Also, I haven’t slept or eaten, and am suffering from panic attacks. My new captain has grounded me, and the Corp is about to throw me out of my dream job; one I’ve trained and worked for my whole life.
As the attacker smirks and takes his seat, I consider ripping his fucking face off.
All night, anger keeps me awake but emotion cannot make up for physical endurance. By the time a thin yellow line brightens the horizon, I can barely move my arms. Floating on my back, I kick, veer off course, and every so often, readjust my tack. When morning breaks, I scan the ocean, and pray for a miraculous fishing boat or pleasure craft. Coming up empty, I lower my expectations and wish for a tree trunk, escaped surfboard, or any piece of floating debris.
Holy shit, am I seeing things?Despite swimming all night, landfall appears no closer.
For the first time, I wonder how people will react to my death.I’m so damn sorry, dear heart.When I jumped on my motorcycle to help Kade, I launched this giant shit-show. My man’s not wrong about me being a danger magnet, and now, I may never be able to tell him how fucking sorry I am.
I would cry, but I’m so dehydrated and full of salt water, it’s not even possible.
Having no other choice, I turn over and head toward land with renewed resolve. These negative thoughts aren’t helping me stay alive.
I’m coming home, Dash.
Chapter 21
Dash
My stomach churns as I await the sunrise and pace the length of the pier. “Let me take the boat. C’mon lads, please? Landy’s been out there for hours.”
Slate shoots Sebastian a look. No doubt, he wants my pal to calm me down, but how am I supposed to chill when my fiancé’s in the ocean, counting on me to find her?
The man who runs the most successful security agency in the world but can’t find one woman, glances up at the sky. “The sun will be up soon. No point in going out yet. Plus, drones are on the way. Your pilot is a strong woman and a former Marine. She had to have passed her survival skills test. I’m sure she’s treading water, waiting for us to find her.”
“That was a helluva speech Slate, but what about sharks?” My eyes close and I swear she’s calling out to me. All I want to do is steal the bloomin’ life raft and bring her home. The darkness be damned.
Suds shakes his head and hands me two protein bars. “Very few predators live in these waters. Eat. You’ll need your strength.”
While our Patten coordinator makes calls, I will the sun to come up faster, but the orb takes its bleedin’ sweet time. When the light finally peeks over the ocean, a powerboat, sporting huge antennas, cuts its engines and drifts to the edge of the dock.
Slate catches the rope and holds it tight. “Captain Quinton?”
