Tayla considered lying, but there didn’t seem to be any point. She nodded.
“Where is your uncle?”
“I don’t know.” And that was the truth.
“And the other WhiteRock boys? Two others, I believe?”
“I really don’t know.” His information must’ve come from Eric. Where was Eric? She didn’t especially want to see him, but his absence was confusing.
He looked out the windows, searching the darkness beyond the pier. A thin veil of composure almost hid his unease. “I don’t believe you, Miss Faraday, but they didn’t send you in here on purpose. So, whatever their plan was, it’s gone sideways now. And we’re hauling out of here before they can do anything about it.”
He turned back to her, looking both annoyed and amused. “Miss Faraday, welcome to The Sea Queen.” He lifted his chin toward the tall killer next to him. “This is Thirteen. That’s not his given name, of course. Even I don’t know his real name. But I call him Thirteen because that’s my lucky number. And he’s been very lucky for me.”
Thirteen’s ice cold stare—simultaneously intense and unemotional—made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
Dylan turned to Thirteen. “So, what’s your suggestion? We need to get going.”
“Yes, you do. We part ways here. I only came for the rest of my money.” He patted his chest pocket.
“Fine. But what about the girl?”
“You need her. You didn’t have a good plan tonight. You’re not in the clear until everything is unloaded.”
Dylan winced at Thirteen’s superior tone, but he seemed to seriously consider his words. “Okay, but before you leave, tie her up. I need to secure one of the crates and untie the lines so I can shove off.”
Thirteen scowled at him.
“Hey, I paid you more than enough. You can spare two minutes to tie her up. Come on, I need to get this stuffdelivered. And I’ll have another job for you in a few weeks. You’ll be able to name your price. So, get her tied. I need to get out of here.”
Thirteen didn’t argue. Which Dylan seemed to translate as agreement. Because he nodded and left.
Thirteen pushed Tayla into a chair and grabbed some rope from a box near the door. He gripped her arms and crossed her wrists. “Hold still.”
The shock she’d been swimming in since Charlie first grabbed her morphed into fear—fear she was now drowning in. This was really happening. Gus’s killer was here, touching her, cinching a tight knot around her wrists. And she hadn’t caught a glimpse of Jason. Or Leland. Or Knox. Where were they? Did they not see her escorted onto The Sea Queen?
She pulled against her bindings at first, but regretted it. Her efforts only rubbed her wrists raw.
A cold nauseating chill seized her body—they may have been hiding and not seen her at all. Jason may think she’s still waiting in the bushes by the road. If they didn’t know she was taken, they wouldn’t be coming for her. No one would.
Should she scream? Yes. It would anger Thirteen, but she had to be sure someone knew she was on The Sea Queen.
Except fear froze her. And took control. She wanted to scream. She wanted to kick. But her body wouldn’t listen. And nausea roiled through her.
She was barely conscious of Thirteen’s efforts to tie her ankles together. Bile rose in her throat. She concentrated on not vomiting.Slow deep breaths, slow deep breaths, slow deep breaths.
The rough rope dug into her skin. Feeling Gus’s murderer’s hands on her did nothing to quell her nausea. Or the panic threatening to steal her steady breathing.
He, on the other hand, didn’t seem affected by anything. His movements were quick and mechanical. He didn’t look her in the eye until he threw a quick smirk as he turned to leave. Then he was gone.
And she was alone. So very alone.
Through the closest window, she watched Thirteen cross the pier. The lights of The Sea Queen cast a soft glow over him as he stooped to loosen a rope, then stood and boarded a speed boat. He started the engine, but as hepulled away from the pier, a familiar form darted across the pier and leapt into the boat.
Leland!A breath later, beyond the reach of The Sea Queen’s lights, the darkness swallowed them.
What might be happening on that speedboat—and whether or not she’d ever see her uncle again—plunged cold terror through her body.
Her next thoughts strangled the last of her hope. Would Leland have taken off if he knew she was tied up on The Sea Queen? Were his actions proof that no one knew where she was?
