The Alpha Bodyguards Books #4-6

Chapter Twenty-Six

W e were fucked .

I pushed toward full throttle but already there were more men running down the dock as we pulled out.

I glanced at her on the deck. Legs splayed, hand on her heart, she was smiling like she’d lost her shit.

I looked over my shoulder again.

Two men jumped on the remaining cruiser as a third untied it. At least the kid wasn’t one of them. Checking the fuel tank on the speedboat, I angled back toward the shore and headed south to the spoil island.

My borrowed cell vibrated in my pocket.

I pulled it out and answered as I cut inland between the first spoil island and mainland.

“You’re dead,” Dante clipped.

“You first.” I hung up and tossed the cell over the side of the boat so we couldn’t be tracked.

The gesture wiped the smile from her face, and her mouth opened like she was going to say something, but nothing came out.

Before we hit the northern tip of the next spoil island, I knew we were doubly fucked.

No Christensen.

I was too early. Or he was too late. Whichever, we were on our own.

I glanced behind us again.

The other boat rounded the eastern side of the first spoil island, and I only had one advantage now.

Speed.

I glanced at Ludeviene.

She looked behind us then up at me with fear.

“Hang on,” I barked over the roar of the engines.

She moved back and gripped the side of a seat.

I pushed it to full throttle and aimed at open waters, but it wasn’t a long-term solution. I needed to get back on land, preferably somewhere populated. Turning on the boat’s GPS, I programmed it to Key West, then glanced over my shoulder again.

I could still see the cruiser, but I’d put enough distance between us that they wouldn’t get a clean shot off.

I was checking the GPS when she tugged on my leg.

Adjusting course, I spared her a glance. “We’re good. We’re putting distance between us and them.”

She held her hands up, palms open.

I knew what she was asking, but I gave her shit on purpose. “You’re gonna have to use words, babe. I can’t mind read.”

Then she surprised the fuck out of me.

Frowning in frustration, she signed.

She fucking signed .

Rusty and slow, her hands still moved through the words with grace. Where are we going?

I signed back.

Key West.

Her eyes went wide, then her hands moved. You know sign language.

“Yeah.”

She signed again. Why?

“Long story,” I lied, tipping my chin at the gun I gave her that was resting in her lap. “Don’t lose that.”

Determination filtered across her face as she spelled out words. I will not lose it. Why are we going to Key West?

I glanced over my shoulder then checked the GPS as I answered. “We need to get back on land, and I need somewhere as crowded as possible.”

She raised an eyebrow at me.

“Because I’ll have a better chance of getting us transportation, and it’ll be a less likely chance of a fucking shootout.” I hoped.

Alarm spread across her face.

“Don’t worry. Dante isn’t known for public bloodbaths like some of his colleagues.” Or like my last boss, thank fuck.

Crossing her arms, she looked away.

The night dark as hell, I scanned the horizon and the faint outline of the coast. The GPS showed another grouping of small islands coming up, and I made a calculated decision. Cutting back east toward land, I headed for the groupings, but I had to slow our speed.

Ludeviene eased herself up and took the seat next me as the boat slowed.

I put my hand on her shoulder. “Not being a dick, sweetheart, but I want you back on deck. You’re out of sniper range that way.”

She stiffened under my touch, but she got back down.

I pulled out my cigarettes and lit up.

She didn’t say anything, but she made a face.

I almost smiled. “Don’t like smokers?”

She shrugged.

“Come on, sweetheart. Use those hands and talk to me, or better yet, give me your sweet voice. We’ve got—” I glanced at the GPS. “—forty-seven minutes before we hit Key West.”

She was still a moment, then her hands started to move.

I can’t speak. I don’t know why. I smelled the smoke on you before. At the club. You smell nice.

“You’re upset. You’ll talk when you’re ready. And thanks for the compliment.” I took a drag and winked at her before cutting between two small islands. “Right back at you.”

She dropped her head, but she signed again. You wear cologne. It is nice.

I laughed. “I only wear cologne if I’m on a job.”

She held her hands up again.

“Masks the cigarette smell.” Taking another drag, I glanced behind us.

No it doesn’t, she signed.

No visual anymore of the other boat, I stayed the new course and drove deeper into the cluster of islands. My attention on the depth meter, I missed something she signed. “I didn’t catch that.”

She turned her head and her hands went to her lap.

I tossed the cigarette overboard and cut into a channel that didn’t look big enough for the boat but the GPS was showing I could clear it. Slowing to an idle, I checked my clearance, then glanced at her. “Tell me again.”

Her hands moved, but she didn’t look at me.

I wish he was dead.

I didn’t ask who. I didn’t have to. “Working on it, sweetheart.”

Crossing her arms, she barely nodded.

I maneuvered the boat toward the end of the channel. “We’re almost out of here. Then we’ll cut south.” I glanced behind us. “We lost the other boat. I’ll get back out to open waters, and we should be in Key West soon.” I pulled out of the channel.

She started to sign.

But as I pulled past the mangroves, lights hit the front of the boat, temporarily blinding me.

Ludeviene gasped, and I knew.

I fucking knew .

Dante.