“Et moi aussi,”Jean-Luc added, easier now. “I got a score to settle with Raines, me. Worth comin’ out of retirement for, yeah?”
The team settled into planning mode. Elliot brought up detailed schematics of the yacht model, and Liam began marking entry points. Bridger outlined the security systems they’d likely encounter. Griffin and Weston debated extraction options. Throughout it all, Jean-Luc offered quiet insights that revealed his deep experience—things no civilian would know,things only someone who’d spent years in covert operations could contribute.
After twenty minutes, they had a solid plan.
“My daughter, she tells me you took a bullet for her,” Jean-Luc said suddenly, turning to face Dom. The sudden shift made Dom feel like a spotlight had been thrown on him.
“Uh, yeah. I did. And would again.”
“Vivi been takin’ care of herself since she was barely tall enough to reach the countertop. Never needed nobody standin’ between her and trouble.” He paused. “Makes me wonder why she let you do it.”
“I didn’t ask permission.”
“Non, I expect you didn’t.” Jean-Luc grinned. “She also tells me you reckless. Bad judgment. Got a habit of actin’ before you think,you.”
Weston snickered at that. Griffin thumped the back of his head with an open palm, but was also smirking.
Jesus. Nothing like being interrogated by your lover’s father in front of your nosy family.
Heat crawled up Dom’s neck, and he reached for the bottle of water on the table in front of him in an attempt to cool off. “Yeah, that’s… all accurate.”
“She said it like it’s a criticism, mais her maman used to say the same ‘bout me ‘fore she married me.”
Dom wasn’t sure what to do with that.
“Vivi, she got terrible taste in men, historically speakin’. I was startin’ to worry, me. But I like you. You got a good face. You and Vivi gonna make my Claire some beautifulpetits-enfants.” He clapped Dom on his good shoulder. “So when you gonna marry my girl, hein?”
Dom choked on the sip of water he’d just taken. “We’re not—I mean, we haven’t even?—”
“Son, I knew you was in love with my daughter from the first time she said your name.” Jean-Luc’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “And I knew she was in love with you when she couldn’t stop complainin’ ‘bout how much she hated you.”
“It’s... complicated.”
“Always is, cher.” Jean-Luc gathered his gear and headed for the door, then paused. “Mais, Dom? You ever hurt her again, bullet or no bullet, I’m gonna introduce you to my pet gator,ouais?”
The threat was delivered with such pleasant cheerfulness that it took Dom a moment to register that it was, in fact, a threat. By the time he did, Jean-Luc was already moving down the hallway, calling out, “What y’all waitin’ for? Let’s move. Bad guys ain’t gonna kill themselves.”
Weston leaned in over the table. “Do you think he actually has a pet gator?”
twenty-eight
Black water slappedthe side of the inflatable as they cut through the darkness. Dom braced with his good arm, his injured shoulder throbbing in time with the quiet hum of the electric motor. No stars. No moon. Just the faint silhouette of Raines’ yacht growing larger against the horizon, and the weight of his tactical vest pulling at muscle that hadn’t finished healing. He focused on the mission ahead. The pain became background noise.
“Five minutes,” Davey whispered.
Dom checked his weapon one last time, the movements practiced despite the limitations of his injury. Across from him, Jean-Luc sat completely still, massive frame somehow compact in the confined space. He watched the yacht, unblinking, already tasting what came next.
The two inflatables separated silently. One veered toward the stern where Liam and Bridger would make their ascent. The other carried Griffin and Weston around to the main deck entry point. Dom’s boat continued straight for the port side, where the boarding would be most challenging but least expected.
They approached the yacht’s hulking shadow, cutting the motor and drifting the last twenty yards. The hull loomed above them, black against black. Davey secured the grappling hook on his first try, tested it with a sharp tug, and gave the signal.
“I go first,” Dom whispered.
“You’re injured.”
“Exactly. If I can’t make it, you need to know before you’re halfway up.”
Davey didn’t like it. He nodded anyway.
