“Why do they call you Cucumber?” Kirk asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. “I know they give out the nicknames to suit the personality. For you, I’d assume something with ‘Big’ in it, like ‘Big Man’.”
“It’s for my big dick,” Lucas told him in a matter-of-fact voice, as if it was quite a normal reply.
Kirk sighed. Fucking sailors. Why did he even think there would be any other answer but an anatomical reference?
“Forget I asked,” he said.
There was a short silence as they waited. He wanted desperately to get on that boat to make sure Surya was safe. A desperate SEAL was a dangerous SEAL.
* * * *
The other SEAL came out.
“What’s going to happen to her?” he asked. “When’s Vadim arriving?”
“He isn’t.”
Surya watched as Mark silently moved from behind and smashed the butt of his weapon on the back of his friend’s head. The other man crumpled to the ground. She didn’t move as Mark efficiently tied him up. He then stood and came toward her.
“I know you have a tracker on you,” Mark said, “so you’re coming with me. Makes things easier when they know where I’m heading.”
“Why did you do that to your buddy?”
He glanced back. “He has to live to tell our side of the story, I guess.”
She didn’t like the tone of his voice. “Being all mysterious will not save you,” she told him. “If MacKenzie is on that island and you want to talk to him, just give up to the ones behind us. Isn’t that the easiest way?”
Mark laughed. “Nothing’s easy for the SEALs,” he told her. “We’re getting on this inflatable boat and heading to the island. Now, I know you’re armed and thinking about using it on me, but can you hold off until we get on land? There will be fireworks enough then to lure your terrorists out to investigate. And if you’re any good at it, I’ll need you to start shooting at them for me.”
“Why would I want to protect you?”
“Because I know where the rocket is. That’s why MacKenzie and his team are on the island, right? To take out the missile. We’re out of time. He’ll be sending his men on this boat soon. They’ll find your scientists safe and sound and my sleeping buddy will explain it all when he wakes up. Let’s go.”
Surya had to hand it to her captor. He was in full cocky SEAL mode and wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Damn it. She hadn’t even spent enough time vacationing to justify the expense of her hotel room and she was going to get killed by friendly fire. She’d been planning fun things to do with Kirk and food too.
* * * *
Kirk turned to Lucas. “Declan’s sending Brady and a few others to the boat. Get ready to—”
“Movement,” Lucas said. “Looks like our guys are leaving the boat on an inflatable.”
“How many?” Kirk asked, leaning forward.
“Two figures.”
“Just the SEALs? Where are the prisoners?”
“Not with them.”
Kirk activated his mic and related what they saw to Declan.
“Brady’s on his way,” Declan told them, “I’ve informed him to be careful of explosives, just in case. We’ll find out about the situation soon. Follow the inflatable, Cucumber.”
“Aye, aye, Sir.”
Kirk wanted to be the one going on the boat. Explosives.Please let Surya be tied up and be safe. He didn’t want her moving around.
“Wait. Surya’s GPS is beeping from the inflatable.”
What? Surya was with the rogue SEAL? Kirk tapped on his mic.
“Why is he taking her and not one of the scientists?”
“I’m thinking he knows we’ll be meeting him on the beach,” Declan said.
Kirk tapped Lucas on the shoulder as he picked up the paddle. “I want to be on that beach before any firefight, Cucumber. I want to negotiate for my girl.”
“We’ll be there,” Lucas assured him.
