“Awesome,” Knox said. He turned to Jason. “See? She’s a fighter.”
Talya pursed her lips. “I’m not sure that’s accurate. But I’m definitely taking a self-defense class when I get home.”
Jason stared at her with a hint of awe. Until his face morphed into a confusing combination of shock and fury. “Wait.” He stepped closer, focusing on the left side of her face. “Did youhityou?”
She gripped his arm. Because he looked like he was going to explode. “I’m fine, Jason. I’m fine.”
“Steady,” Knox said.
Jason’s dark glare settled on Dylan. For the first time that night, Dylan looked nervous.
Knox cleared his throat.
Jason fisted his hands, then relaxed, and refocused his gaze on Tayla’s cheek. “I’m sorry.”
She squeezed his arm. “I’m alright. You’re here. I’m fine. Let’s focus on finding Leland.”
Jason gave a slow nod. He placed a protective hand on the small of her back and they both stepped closer to the helm, focusing on the dark ocean in front of them.
For the next several minutes, they fled their pursuers across the waves in tense silence. She should be concerned about surviving the next few minutes of her life, but all she could see in her mind’s eye was Leland. Smiling. Laughing. Yelling at the tv during basketball games. Repairing her garage door. Driving her to the doctor when she had the flu. Taking her to her favorite seafood restaurant on her birthday.
She needed him. She needed him alive and well.
Her thoughts derailed when she saw dozens of flashing lights. Dead ahead.
“Is that the Morghana Police?”
“Yes, ma’am, it is,” Dylan said, with an ‘I told you so’ tone.
Jason lifted the binoculars and focused on Enzo’s boats. “They’re peeling off. I don’t believe it. They’re not even going to try anything.”
Tayla watched the two boats retreat into the darkness.
Dylan smiled. “Yes, the small but mighty Morghana Police force is more than Enzo’s boys can handle. And they know it. He should’ve known better than to mess with me.”
Jason looked annoyed.
“Hey,” Dylan said. “I just saved your hide. A little appreciation is warranted.”
An almost-palpable, quiet strength radiated off Jason. A kind of strength that made Tayla feel safe. For herself—not for Dylan.
Jason’s voice, low and firm, melted the smile off Dylan’s face. “You hired the man who killed Gus Branch. We. Are. Not. Done.”
He pivoted to Knox. “Dock the boat as quick as you can. We’re getting out of here as soon as possible.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Knox said.
Jason turned to Tayla. “Stay close. We’re going to move fast. But be aware, as soon as I find a safe place for you to hide, I need you to hide, okay?”
She wanted to help find Leland and Thirteen. But running around in the dark looking for an assassin was a bit outside her scope of skills. “I understand. I’ll hide if I have to. But maybe we’ll find Leland quickly.”
“I hope so.”
She tucked some stray hairs behind her ears. “I can’t believe we’re right back where we started.”
“What do you mean?”
“Leland in danger. And missing. You and me looking for him. Together.”
