Chapter 4 #2
The Zodiac rose and fell, as she waited, praying the other men made a move before her window of opportunity closed. The wind howled past, the rain getting impossibly heavier, when the boat ghosted into view on their stern — more gunfire zinging past them.
That had her laser focused as she took off, manipulating her speed just enough to lure the pirates before hitting the throttle.
The Zodiac shot forward, the bow pitching up then planing out as she raced toward the wave — making it as close as possible without killing them.
She hit the leading edge, milking every ounce of speed out of the engines, as the boat tipped up.
It hung there, bow at a forty-five, the outboards trying to push them over the top, that wave cresting above them, before the Zodiac caught enough momentum it plowed over the ridge and down the other side, more water pouring over the edges.
The spray soaked through her clothes as she banked right, riding that surge as the other boat missed the mark, tipping back on itself beneath the force of the water. The navigational lights flashed amidst the churning ocean, a few shouts rising above the wind, then nothing.
No gunfire.
No pleas.
Just the waves crashing against the Zodiac’s hull. The wind raging around them.
Zain shook his head and grabbed some bandages and some clotting powder out of the first aid kit. He slipped her arm out of her jacket and cut away enough of her sweater he could clamp his hand around the wound. “You’re insane, you know that?”
She bit back a curse, grunting through the pain as she glanced at him, still racing for home. “I’m not the one who hits moving targets while bouncing around on a speeding boat with the ocean tossing us about like confetti.”
Zain shrugged. “That’s a different kind of crazy. You…” He glanced at her shoulder, paled.
She sighed. “Not your fault. In fact, if it weren’t for you, I’d be dead.”
“Says the woman who pushed me out of the way. You should have let me take the hit.”
“That’s not who I am. Besides, we both know you planted your ass up here instead of at the stern so you could do the same damn thing.”
His left eye twitched. “That’s different.”
“Why?” She blew out an exasperated breath when he simply stared at the ocean, head still on a swivel as he continually scanned their surroundings. “You can’t have a do-over of our date if you’re dead.”
He inhaled, then leaned in close. “You might want to take your own advice.”
“Ride’s not over yet, Zain. There could be a third boat.”
He stared at her, scanned the horizon, then laughed. “You’re definitely one-of-a-kind.” He poured on the powder then tied a layer of bandages in place. “And you’re either letting Chase treat this or going to the hospital as soon as we get back so, make peace with that, now.”
She rolled her eyes, then focused on the water, bouncing along the waves as she closed in on her dock. Zain had resorted to using his handgun, though, she bet her ass he’d still hit targets at some insane distance .
Foster’s boat bobbed against the pier as she finally slowed, guiding the Zodiac next to his.
Hanging lights brightened the darkness, swinging roughly in the wind.
She stared at them, an eerie sensation shivering down her back, that face from the boat wavering in the shadows.
Hadn’t the lights been swinging that night, too?
Just like now. A storm raging around them. An odd tone taking her to her knees.
“Saylor!”
She blinked, focusing on Zain’s handsome face. His short brown hair spiked up in all directions, his amazing blue eyes stole her breath. Hijacking every thought but how much she wanted to taste his full lips.
Zain frowned. “You back with me?”
She groaned inwardly. “Never left.”
His frown deepened, but he didn’t call her out. Instead, he hooked his arm through hers, leading her over to the side.
Blue lights flashed in the parking lot, reflecting off the puddles already lining the pavement as a second police car pulled in behind Greer’s sheriff vehicle. Bodie jumped out, joining Greer as they talked for a moment, nodding and looking over at her.
Chase stood on the dock, medic bag slung over his shoulder as he shook his head, then gave her a hand up. “You know, I stayed behind because I just knew one of you would get hit. I swear you two need adult supervision.”
She scoffed. “It’s a scratch. Like I told Zain, not my first rodeo.”
“Which isn’t the point. ”
“How’s Atticus?”
Chase thumbed toward the parking lot. “Mac ferried him off in the chopper. I don’t think his ankle’s broken, but he’ll be hobbling for a while.
They’ve already landed at Providence. A quick x-ray, and I suspect they’ll slap a Tensor bandage on him, toss him some crutches, and he’ll be cursing with his ass in his chair in a couple hours. ”
“And everyone else made it back safely?”
“Unlike you.” Chase held Zain’s gaze as he pointed at Saylor’s shoulder. “Can what’s hiding beneath your patch job wait until we get home? Or are we heading straight for Providence, as well?”
Zain moved in beside her, one palm landing on the small of her back. “Nothing you can’t treat. It’s more the blood loss than anything else, but I used the clotting powder. It should be fine for the ten-minute drive. Why?”
“Other than the torrential rain and the real possibility some asshole on a boat might try a drive-by shooting?” Chase motioned toward Greer and Bodie.
“Greer wants this place sectioned off until the Coast Guard gets back to her about the salvage ship and the pirates. She needs to collect any useable evidence from Saylor’s boat.
Bullets, I guess. In case this crew can be tied to other crimes, and we all need to make an official statement, but she said that can wait until tomorrow.
But it’s best if we give her some space. ”
Saylor groaned. “Great. Nothing says, come for a tour like crime scene tape.”
Chase chuckled. “The weather gods say this system’s going to be hanging around for a few days so, I doubt anyone would be brave enough to chance a spin. Not to mention, your ride looks like it needs some work.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. At least in the Coast Guard, I didn’t have to fix all the shit I broke.”
Zain urged her forward. “It wasn’t your fault, and I promise I’ll help. But first, we need to get your shoulder fixed and both of us warmed up.”
Saylor glanced at her loft. “Shouldn’t I grab some clothes from my place, then?”
Chase shook his head, already opening his truck door. “You can borrow something from Zain. Greer really wants to get everything squared away before this weather gets any worse. She’ll call when they’re done. Either Zain can give you a lift back or you can stay with one of us.”
She froze, looking over at Zain, wondering if his heart had stopped cold when Chase had mentioned her staying over? If she was the only one struggling to breathe as she climbed into the cab, scooting across the seat when Zain jumped in beside her.
She arched a brow. “Don’t you usually ride shotgun?”
He smiled, leaning in until he was insanely close. “Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t pass out.”
“So, this is strictly for safety reasons?”
“That, and I thought we could pick up the conversation that was rudely interrupted.” He reached up and brushed some wet strands off her face. “What’s it gonna take to get a do-over?”