Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
D imitrios
Water.
The rush of saltwater slamming into the cockpit meant a critical failure. I’d done my best to land softly, but a wave had appeared out of nowhere, turning what was left of the fuselage on its side.
The plane would sink within minutes. I had to get us the hell out of here. I looked over and instantly I was driven into a series of emotions I rarely felt. I wasn’t the kind to panic. I’d been rammed from behind, plunging into a concrete wall. I’d been in a fire, barely managing to escape alive.
But I’d had only me to give a shit about.
And revenge.
When I looked over at Willow, seeing blood on her face, her head tilted to the side and her body unmoving, panic almost settled in. “Willow. Can you hear me?” I was already fighting with my seatbelt. At least I’d managed to communicate our last coordinates before we went down. However, the plane that had shot us into oblivion was still flying in a circle around the wreckage.
The bastards would continue to do so until they were certain we were dead.
With the cockpit filling with water, I had seconds to get her out safely. Jerking the seatbelt away, I crawled over to her. Water was already up to her shoulders, rising rapidly. She’d be completely underwater soon.
“Willow. Honey. Wake up.”
As I fought with the thick canvas strap holding her down, I was rewarded with a single moan, her eyes fluttering open briefly. Goddamn, they were dilated. She must have hit her head. I would kill the motherfuckers who’d put us in this position.
The plane lurched under just as I managed to yank her free. I gingerly eased her body into my arms, pulling her back with me. With one hard thrust of my boot, the window was kicked free. I placed her arm around my neck, praying she’d hear me. “We need to get out of here. If you can hear me, hold on as tightly as you can.”
By some miracle of God, she tightened her grip on my neck, opening her eyes for a second time as I maneuvered a portion of my body out the window. The plane shifted again, the nose taking a solid dunk into the ocean water.
Seconds meant everything right now. It the plane started doing a freefall, saving both our lives would become a dicey venture.
I pulled her with me as water now came in through my window. Damn it. I was losing the battle. Like hell I was. Nothing was going to take her from me.
Not now.
After taking a deep breath, I held the latch and pulled us carefully from the window. Another lurch and we were dragged down. Everything was clear, but my eyes stung from leaking fuel. I wasn’t a praying kind of man, but that’s exactly what I did. Once she was free, I kicked hard against the fuselage, driving us away from the plane. With seconds to spare, I headed for the surface.
If the fuckers were hovering, they’d need to come low to hit us with bullets, but right now, I wouldn’t put anything past their capabilities. Who the fuck had found us and how? The question would be answered immediately after I got us both to safety.
The Harbor Corps had better help me on this. We were still a couple of miles out from shore and I wasn’t certain her body wouldn’t shut down by the time I was able to swim to safety. It was entirely possible she had internal injuries. I couldn’t be certain, which was why moving her rapidly was such a bad idea.
Breaking the surface, I gasped for breath, but didn’t waste time before checking her. Willow’s face was ashen, her lips no longer rosy. Damn it. Her mouth was open. She’d possibly swallowed water into her lungs. I turned her over, being as gentle as possible and patted her back. Being in the water made it awkward. When she didn’t respond, I rolled her onto her back, doing my best to give her mouth to mouth.
Seconds passed, maybe a full minute. I pulled back, catching my breath. “Come on, baby. Come back to me.” I repeated the action for as long as possible before breaking free again.
Still nothing. When I started to repeat the effort, her body lurched and she suddenly coughed, spitting out several inches of saltwater.
I pulled her to me just as the plane rolled over our heads. The odds they’d seen us were too damn good. Taking her back under now could mean she’d drown within seconds.
The moment the pilot turned, heading straight for us, I covered Willow’s body with mine. That was all I could do to protect her. When they passed over, while zooming low to the ocean, every thought was about shooting them out of the sky. I watched as they continued heading east, further out into the ocean. There was no way of knowing when they’d return.
I’d put out a mayday so at least someone would be coming for us. If my men were on the fucking ball, they’d heard the call for help as well. I’d made certain both houses were wired with communications to and from the Harbor Corps. Had they heard anything about an unmarked plane or had the pilot gone through the traditional pre-flight checks? That included talking with one tower or another.
I would find out.
Her quiet moans drew my attention again. Thankfully, she was alive. The water was warm, but there were predators underneath. I’d need to keep a close eye on our surroundings prior to our rescue.
If that hadn’t been intercepted and denied as well.
“Can you hear me, little dove?”
Her eyelids fluttered open. “Di-mi-tri-os.”
“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Just rest, but try and stay awake.” I brushed hair from her face while still keeping her afloat. Anger washed through me, the emotion erupting in my system so powerful spots of blood formed in front of my eyes. I would kill the people responsible and take great joy in doing so, torturing them for hours until they begged to die. Would I grant their wish? Fuck, no. I’d start all over again.
She shifted only moments later as I tried to keep us from drifting further out to sea. I was finally able to grab a broken-off wing, using it as a float. The rest of the wreckage was gone, lost to the water’s depths. With no boats in sight, timing would soon become crucial. My arm hurt like a son of a bitch, cut on the plane’s glass as I’d pulled us from the cockpit.
Blood was in the water.
Sharks could smell the sweet copper from hundreds of yards away. My heart thudded rapidly as I continued pushing us closer to the shore, hampered by a stronger current from the tide rolling out. This was one of the most dangerous things I’d been involved in.
But nothing was going to stop me from protecting her. Even if doing so meant taking my last dying breath.
“Where are we?” she asked, her voice a little stronger.
“Not far from the shore.” It was one huge lie, but I didn’t need her to panic at this point.
“Liar,” she breathed. “You’re… terrible at it.”
I chuckled, but the sound was hollow. “We’ll be safe soon.”
When she grabbed my hand, able to turn her head slightly, ugly emotions swelled up from within the very depths of my being. I wasn’t good at reacting to anything out of my control. This day, this horrible moment only reminded me of how dangerous my world truly was.
“My head hurts.”
“I know, baby. You’re going to be fine.” I continued to search for a return of the assailants, but they appeared long gone. My bet was they were certain we’d be fed on by the sharks.
Minutes passed, at least thirty if not more. There were no sounds, no sense that help would arrive in time. I continued to try to reach the shore, ignoring exhaustion and self-doubt. She drifted in and out of sleep, increasing my fear she would soon slip into a coma.
The rage continued to build, every thought and image penetrating my mind one of violence and death. As a stronger wave splashed water over us, I did what I could to protect her. My hands were slightly numb, yet nothing would force me to lose my grip.
While I knew she remained alive, every breath she took seemed shallower. Goddamn it. This had been my fucking fault. If I hadn’t insisted on heading to the island alone, this never would have occurred.
“It’s not your fault,” she whispered minutes later.
“Like hell it isn’t.”
“If I forget to tell you. I had a really good time.”
I brought her closer, able to feel life ebbing from her lithe body. I closed my eyes, daring the gods or the devil himself to heed my call.
The sound was in the distance. Uncertain if I was hearing things or not, I swam around in a circle, still searching for sharks.
Willow lifted her head, her agonizing sigh penetrating my eardrums. “A boat,” she managed.
“Maybe.” Another sound from behind us caught my attention. I turned my head, hissing as soon as I did. My worst fears were recognized. The fuckers were rare in this part of the world, even if the Great White shark had been witnessed on more than one occasion.
But the water had been baited, the lure strong. My arm continued to bleed.
Time was running out.
The next sound confirmed a boat was headed in our direction. There was nothing left to do but wait.
I sighted two fins in the distance, both indicating the beasts were headed in our direction. I struggled, but managed to yank my gun from my pocket. The barrel was filled with water, which would dramatically decrease the range that the bullet could hit. The fuckers would be allowed to get too close before I was certain a gunshot would stop their advance.
But goddamn it, I had to try.
“Willow, you need to gather your strength,” I told her as I hoisted her onto as much of the wing’s debris as possible. “Hold on. Whatever you do, hold the fuck on. Help is on the way.”
She listened to me, grabbing as much of the edge of the wing as she could.
As the sharks approached, the sound of the speedboat became louder. But the predators were fast, able to move quickly through the water.
I couldn’t pay a damn bit of attention to the approaching boat, required to concentrate on the danger heading in our direction.
“They’re coming.” Her tone held the kind of terror I never wanted to hear.
My mind held additional fury. The sharks split apart, now coming at us from two sides. I waited, calculating as best I could how effective the gunshots would be.
The sound of the boat’s motor was matched by the yells I heard from those aboard. With any luck, they’d fucking seen us.
As soon as both beasts dove underneath the water, I knew I had to react. With no seconds to spare, I fired off the weapon.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
To Willow’s credit, she didn’t panic. As she fought to climb all the way onto the wing, I spun around in a circle. The movement caused the water to become unclear, but I fired again when seeing a shadow.
She screamed, the terror of hearing it tearing through me. I spun around, catching sight of one shark rising from the water.
Pop! Pop!
Waves from the approaching boat spilled all over us. Even though water was tossed over us, I could clearly see a man standing on deck holding a weapon. I aimed the barrel toward him, preparing to send him off to meet his maker when a rush of water caught my attention.
Boom!
The weapon the unknown man fired was a direct hit, the shark pitched back by a few feet. The engine was slowed, the boat pulling up alongside.
Fuck.
“Mr. Nomikos,” one of the men called.
“Yes.”
“ Eísai tycherós pou se vríkame. Oi syntetagménes pou mas dóthikan ítan lanthasménes .” Hearing what the Harbor Corps member said pissed me off almost as much as what I’d been lured into.
“You’re lucky we found you. The coordinates given to us were incorrect.”
As Willow was gently lifted onboard, I took a deep breath. Not only had my stay at the estate on the islands been betrayed, so had the flight coordinates.
Someone would pay.
“How is Willow?”
Hearing Havros’ voice as he moved to my side provided some sense of comfort. I stood staring through the glass window, watching Willow rest. “Lucky to be alive.”
Christos approached from the other side, his expression grim. Men had arrived with both, Nico and Atticus standing against the wall. The press had already gotten wind of the ‘accident.’ I’d made certain that was the news they reported. With Leandro’s murder already out in the open, the last thing the family needed was an additional blow to our reputation.
“You’re also lucky to be alive from what I heard,” my younger brother stated.
That much I did know.
“Thankfully, Willow will recover. She has a slight concussion along with scrapes and bruises. She also has a bruised spleen, but at least the organ won’t need to be removed. She’s the lucky one.” My words had never sounded so hollow. We’d been taken to the hospital by helicopter, the emergency team deeply concerned about her condition.
Standing inside the hospital did nothing more than remind me just how fragile life truly was.
“You saved her life, bro.” Havros patted me on the back. “Sharks too? You know how to live.”
“What the fuck do we know?” I countered. Reliving the experience wasn’t something I cared to do.
“The mayday you placed was intercepted, at least according to the people I talked to.” Christos was guarded with his words. He knew how enraged I could become.
“Was the fucker responsible found?”
“Not yet.”
I turned my head toward him. “I don’t care what it takes. Find him.”
“Don’t worry. I will. That much I promise you.”
“As requested, the funeral is in a couple days. It was announced in the news this morning,” Havros told me.
I’d known that as soon as we’d been brought in the evening before. “Are all the arrangements in place?”
“Yes.”
What I didn’t like was the location of the actual burial. While the cemetery was positioned on a beautiful plot of land with a spectacular view, it was also very much out in the open. Granted, using publicity as a lure was part of the game, but not at a funeral. The day would be difficult enough for all of us, my parents especially.
My mother had contacted our chef while midflight, arranging for a catered event for all those determined to pay their condolences. In my mind, it was merely a chance to see others of wealth and good fortune suffering. I wouldn’t attempt to try to convince my mother it wasn’t in our best interest. She needed to grieve and I refused to be considered the terrible son.
“We need to remain on guard,” I told them.
“A large group of my men will be present,” Havros said as he studied Willow’s sleeping form. “The press is all over your involvement with her.”
“As I knew they’d be.”
Christos leaned against the glass. “Are you certain creating all that publicity was a good idea?”
At this point, I wasn’t, but I refused to admit that to anyone. “The bait will be claimed and I’ll be there when it is.”
“You’re playing a very dangerous game, including with Willow’s life. Are you that willing to risk it?” Havros turned toward me, his eyes searching mine.
“There is no other choice.”
Especially now given the attack by air in broad daylight. In the eighteen hours since our safe return, there’d been no chatter whatsoever. Either the attempted murder hadn’t been brought to anyone’s attention or they’d been paid well to keep their mouths shut. I’d paid the harbor master to keep his. Defying me would alter his course for the future. However, our rescue had brought a crowd to the dock. There’d been no way to stop pictures from being taken.
We stood in silence, but I sensed my father’s approach before I noticed him. I’d already been told my parents had returned for the upcoming funeral, both still devastated by the news. They’d pushed hard to return, ignoring my request to stay away so they’d be safe. Maybe it was better we were all together.
At first, neither one of my parents said a word, but their expression highlighted just how close our family had been through the years.
My mother’s face illuminated the hundreds of tears she’d shed, the area under her red eyes puffy. While my father had always carried a poker face, today he appeared haggard.
I remained where I was, my hands still in my pockets where they’d been for a full hour. I’d done nothing more than sit by her bed and stand by the window when the nurse had shooed me out. While Willow needed rest, I’d made a promise I’d protect her at all costs.
And I’d failed.
That would never happen again, so help me God.
“Son,” Pops said as he took a step closer.
Apollo Dimitrios was a powerful man even now, the number of gray hairs and his difficulty breathing from years of indulging in cigars unable to diminish his ruthless behavior. Or his reputation.
He stopped long enough to acknowledge my brothers before advancing, throwing his arms around me. “ O gios mou. Dóxa ston Theó pou eísai zontanós .”
My son. Praise be to God you’re alive.
The words were cathartic. How many times had we stood as a family in this very hospital, wondering if the man would live or die?
I shot a glare toward Havros who shrugged. I’d insisted my brothers not mention the plane wreck. “I’m fine, Pops. Just a little banged up.”
He pulled back, his grip on my arm painful. With his eyebrow lifted, I could tell he sensed I was in agony, but not from any injuries sustained.
“You’re a strong boy,” he said. To him, I would always be his firstborn. “You’re getting married.”
He made the statement as if he’d already accepted his son’s decision. His eyes were filled with sadness, but for a few special seconds, there was the old twinkle in them. As hard a man as he was in business, he was always laughing at home, the life of the party. His look of exhaustion concerned me. The toll had been harsh on the entire family.
Acts of revenge had a way of taking a lot out of a person.
“Yes, Pops.”
“We need to make an announcement so every one of our friends and family can share in the joyous moment,” he declared. What Pops said usually went, even now.
Joyous. I doubted Willow would agree to that sentiment.
“Not until after the funeral.” I wasn’t one for typical tradition, but a man’s death needed a day of observance.
My mother was already hugging Christos then Havros. When she came to me, she cupped both sides of my face. “My boy is getting married. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Christos coughed purposely and it was all I could do not to give him the finger.
She glanced into Willow’s hospital room, immediately saying a short prayer for the American woman marrying her son. “I remember her fondly. Such a lovely girl. Willow will need a mother figure. I will be with her.”
“I know you will, Mama. I know you will.” I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her close as I bent down to kiss her forehead. “Havros. Ensure our parents get back to the estate. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Atticus, you’re in charge of providing twenty-four-hour security on Willow’s room. Once news of our survival gets to the assassin, he’ll try again.”
“I’ll make certain of it, boss,” Atticus answered. “I checked on what Willow told you about her parents. I found the second mortgage. It’s hefty. But it left him with enough cash to pay off the insurance bills you mentioned.”
At least the information was consistent with what Willow’s mother had mentioned to her. “Anything else?”
“No. I also tried to check on Shane’s personal information.”
Exhaling, I lifted an eyebrow. “Let me guess. He has every detail locked down.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve called some contacts we have in Paris. Maybe they’ll be able to provide something about his job,” Atticus added.
“Good thought.”
While I’d spent my night at the hospital, it was important I have a discussion with my father away from the sterile, claustrophobic setting.
Havros looked like he wanted to say something but nodded instead. Christos remained behind, likely for support.
The last week or so had been trying for all of us.
Nico and Atticus remained, along with one of Christos’ men. I waited until they’d walked away before approaching.
“We need to ensure all the bases are covered at the funeral. I’m putting you in charge of security. Work with Atticus.”
“What about Havros?”
“You know how Mother relies on him. That won’t change.”
Christos nodded. “Do you really think the assassin will make an appearance?”
“I can almost guarantee it, although he might not be ready to shower us with his presence.”
“You’re so certain it’s a male?”
I took a deep breath, needing to make certain Willow was still breathing. I could see the rise and fall of her chest from where I stood. If only that would take the edge off my emotions. “Yeah, I’m certain. He had no understanding when he decided to attack this family what price he’d pay.”
“What price is that?”
My brother was grinning. Not only did he already anticipate the answer, he was eager to partake in making it happen.
“‘Death.”