Chapter 2
Ren heaved a box, then carried it into the storage room on the main deck, and set it down. The team had a lot of gear.
He’d been trying to avoid Halle and doing anything to keep himself busy.
Halle was on his ship. His hands fisted.
Seeing her again had been like a punch to the gut. Young, gorgeous, a smile that lit up the room. She was so beautiful.
He never should have kissed her. It had been during her 20th birthday party. He’d gone to get a beer from the kitchen, and she’d been there in a pretty, blue dress. Just the two of them. They’d talked, laughed, and it had just happened.
And it had been fucking amazing.
“She’s your best friend’s daughter, asshole,” he muttered.
Not to mention he’d seen shit, done shit. Shit she would never understand. Things he never wanted her to know. Old memories cluttered in his head, making his heart squeeze. They’d faded over time, but they never went away—a woman’s scream, a girl’s broken sobbing, a man’s roar of anguish.
Ren shook his head. He didn’t deserve to touch someone as fresh and gorgeous and good as Halle. She had her whole life ahead of her, and she deserved someone without his kind of baggage.
Not to mention, Tom would kill him.
“Ren, where do you want these?” A crew member, Sean, appeared, with a heavy-duty crate in his hands.
Ren jerked his head. “Over there.” Turning, he scanned the deck and saw Captain Shroff approaching from the upper deck.
Shroff was an older man, with a weathered face, and a long, black beard speckled with gray. He wore a white polo shirt with the ship’s logo on it. “Ren.”
“Jay.” He had an excellent working relationship with the older man. Jay Shroff was a hell of a captain, and knew everything about ships, sailing, and the sea.
“Everything stowed?”
“Almost. And I’ve assigned the scientists their cabins.” He’d done a last-minute switch to ensure that Halle was close to his stateroom. Just so he could keep an eye on her.
That was the only reason.
“Excellent.” The captain nodded. “We have a briefing with the research team in the mess.”
Ren nodded and followed the other man up the stairs. The next level of the ship held the dining room, galley, a small lounge and some cabins. He followed Jay into the mess. It was spacious, with a wall of windows framing the water, and several wooden tables that were bolted to the floor. From the sounds coming from the adjoining galley, he knew their often- unpredictable Russian chef was busy getting all the supplies put away. Ren made a mental note to talk with Petrov and soothe any ruffled feathers over the supplies.
But none of that mattered right now because Ren’s gaze went straight to Halle. She was sitting with the rest of her team at one of the tables.
When she saw him, she smiled.
And he felt a damn stutter in his chest.
Ren cleared his throat. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce our captain. Captain Shroff, this is the research team.”
Professor Davis rose and stepped forward. “I can’t tell you how excited we all are for this trip.”
The captain nodded and shook the man’s hand. “Welcome aboard the Atalanta, the finest research vessel on the seas. We’ll do everything we can to make this a productive trip for you.”
The professor nodded. “Thank you.”
“Now, in order to make that happen, we need you to tell us more about your project, Professor.” Ren hitched a hip against one of the tables. “You’re aware that both the captain and I have security clearance.”
The man nodded. “Of course. Our project code name is Deep Water. We’re testing a next-generation UUV.”
Ren raised a brow. An unmanned underwater vehicle, or underwater drone. The Atalanta had several submersibles and ROVs aboard—all state-of-the-art. But some of the remote operated vehicles were on tethers, or couldn’t go very far from the ship before they needed re-charging.
But he knew that wasn’t what this team was testing. He knew the Navy had been experimenting with UUVs that could go longer distances, and operate for long periods of time.
“You’re talking about something like DARPA’s manta ray drone?” he asked.
“Similar,” the professor replied. “The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency drone project runs alongside ours. The manta ray is a large UUV, one they want to make capable of carrying a payload. Our project has the potential to align with that one in the future.”
“And you may have heard of the GhostSwimmer.” Ryan pulled a face. “Hotshots out of MIT are working with the Navy on that one. Looks like a shark, and moves like one too. They’re trying to mimic the dynamic movements of a fish.”
Ren frowned. “So how is your drone different?”
“It’s not the actual UUV we’re testing,” the professor said. “Our design is small and quite simple.”
“We’re testing a new power method,” Sammy said.
Professor Davis nodded. “The problem with most UUVs has always been fuel. Whatever they’re fueled by can’t last long enough. They either need to return to a base, or be re-fueled or re-charged some way before they can even get very far.”
“That’s where our drone’s different.” Fitz leaned forward, brushing his sandy hair off his pale face. He was looking a little queasy. “We’re here to test an experimental hydrogen fuel cell.”
Ren’s eyebrows went up. “I thought hydrogen fuel cells weren’t really viable.”
“They haven’t been for cars,” Professor Davis said. “They aren’t as clean or efficient as electric options, and the infrastructure isn’t there.”
“But,” Sammy said. “Hydrogen fuel cells can go farther and refuel much faster.”
“And our new fuel cell is smaller than anything created before,” Professor Davis said proudly, “and if our tests go well, we can confirm we could run a UUV for not weeks or months, but years.”
Hell. “A lot of people would be interested in that,” Ren said. Including a lot of unfriendly governments and terrorist groups.
“Yes, that’s why our project is highly classified,” the professor continued. “Once our UUV passes testing, it will change the landscape of underwater drones.”
“Then we need your test plan, so we can ensure you achieve everything you need on this trip,” Captain Shroff said.
“I’ll also be running several tests, and have sensors on the UUV,” Halle said. “To assess its sound levels and impact on the marine wildlife.”
The captain nodded. “We want this to be a smooth trip to Hawaii for all of us.”
Fitz raised a hand. “Smooth would be good. Really good.”
Sammy elbowed the man. “Sweetie, you need to toughen up.”
“Easy for you to say, since you’re actually tough, and I’m…” He waved at his slim build.
Halle rose. “Now that everything’s aboard, we’re planning to celebrate the beginning of our trip. We’re going to a local bar here at the docks. The Ketch Bar and Taps. I hear it has good beer. All the Atalanta crew are invited.”
Ren felt her gaze shift to him. Shit, going to drink with Halle wasn’t a good idea. He gave a brief nod. “If I have time, I’ll stop in.”
He watched her face dim.
He looked at the crew seated at the nearby tables. “If you’re not on shift, you’re welcome to go.”
As everyone rose and started to leave the mess, Halle came over and grabbed his arm. “Ren, please come. I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“Halle, I have a lot to do—”
“Please.” Her eyes were a shimmering blue.
He was so weak. “I’ll come.”
The smile that broke out on her face was blinding. “I’m glad.”
He wanted to stay right there, close to her. He wanted to catch up, hear her laugh. He made himself step back. “Then I’ll see you later.”
Ren strode out of the mess, then paused on the stairs. “You’re an idiot, Santoro.”
He cared for Halle, and he’d promised Tom he’d take care of her.
That meant not touching her. And definitely not kissing her.
Halle tookanother small sip of her one glass of wine. She scanned the bar. The Ketch Bar and Taps had a modern tavern vibe, with lots of wood and metal. It had an amazing back deck overlooking all the boats in the marina.
There was no sign of Ren.
She tried to hide her disappointment. There were plenty of other crew members from the Atalanta who’d joined them at the bar for a while.
He wasn’t coming.
She was wearing her favorite jeans that did great things for her ass, and a fitted blue shirt that matched her eyes. She’d spent way too long on her hair, which was loose in gentle waves. She’d kept her makeup natural, because she hated too much makeup, and usually didn’t wear much.
Around her, the others were chatting, talking with the ship’s crew, enjoying their drinks.
She took another sip of her white wine.
There was something between her and Ren.
Ever since that kiss, she’d known it.
And she knew him. He was an honorable man, who could be funny and charming. She knew he’d done tough missions in the military. Over the years, she’d seen him harden—the lines bracketing his mouth had deepened, the look in his eyes had darkened, he laughed less.
She’d hoped when he’d left the military, she’d see more of him. But since he’d gotten the job on the Atalanta, she’d rarely seen him.
Was she kidding herself? She was twenty-three years old. She was smart, and hard-working, but she didn’t have his experience. She knew he used to be quite the ladies’ man—her father had mentioned it.
She could easily see why any woman would take one look at Ren Santoro and be attracted. The hard, muscular body, the handsome face, the charming grin.
She took a larger sip of wine.
She’d gone to college and tried to move on. Hell, when a man kisses you, then runs away to sea to avoid you, it’s not great for the confidence.
Had he hated kissing her that much?
She spun the stem of her glass in her hand. She’d dated other guys, but never let it go very far. Because whenever she thought of being with a man, she thought of Ren.
“You look like someone stole your favorite toy.” Sammy appeared, sipping a large cocktail with a pink umbrella in it.
“I was hoping Ren would come. He said he would. I should’ve known he’d avoid me.” Halle sipped her wine again, but this mouthful tasted like vinegar. “He’s good at it.”
“Girl, I get the attraction to the older, sexy man. You sure he’s the one you want?”
“It’s not just his looks, Sammy. He’s a great guy. He’s a hero. He had this entire military career he can’t talk about. He served his country.” She sighed. “He loves old sci-fi TV shows like me. We used to watch them together when I was younger. We’re both addicted to cotton candy. He sends me bags of it on my birthday.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Maybe you’re right. I’m imagining he likes me the way I like him. I mean, he could have anyone.”
Sammy was staring at her.
“What?”
“He sends you cotton candy?”
“Yes.”
“Halle, he could have anyone. The guy is gorgeous. And even if he isn’t an asshole, which it sounds like he isn’t, you’re the full package. Smart, pretty, kind. Nice.”
Halle wrinkled her nose. “No one wants to be called nice. We all know that’s code for boring.”
“You’re not boring, but you, Ms. Bradshaw, are one of those positive people who looks on the bright side all the time. Even when it’s pouring rain, and the boat is sinking.”
Halle rolled her eyes. “Let’s not talk about sinking boats before we set sail, on a boat, to Hawaii. And I’m only positive in contrast to you, who loves her mean, tough Brooklyn vibe.”
Sammy’s lips twitched. “Trust me. Just spend some time around him and be yourself. He’ll cave.” Her friend took another sip of her cocktail. “Ryan won’t be happy.”
“I’m not interested in Ryan. He’s asked me out, and I turned him down. He’s…”
“A little cocksure and overconfident.”
“He just needs to grow up a bit.”
“Especially for the girl with eyes only for the older hottie.”
The older hottie who clearly wasn’t going to show tonight. She sighed. “I’m going out the back to get some air.”
Sammy took Halle’s wine glass and nodded. “Chin up.”
Halle stepped out onto the back deck. Now that night had fallen, it was cool outside, so there weren’t too many people sitting at the tables. Spring was coming, but the air was still brisk. She pulled on her jacket.
She saw a couple at one table, hands entwined, smiling at each other.
Her chest tightened, and she kept walking. She stepped off the deck, listening to the lap of water on the moored boats. There was a small side alley, no doubt to give access to people who owned the boats. She spotted a few more tables with umbrellas, but no one was sitting at them.
Her thoughts were all tangled up on Ren.
She walked past the tables. The alley was blissfully quiet.
You’re in charge of your feelings, Halle. You need to stop obsessing over the man.
Suddenly, tires squealed on pavement. She looked up and saw a black van back into the alley, fast.
What the hell?
The vehicle screeched to a halt in front of her, and the side door was flung open. Two men in black ski masks leaped out.
Halle stumbled back.
One man lunged forward and grabbed her.
“Hey!” Adrenaline hit her system. “Let me go!”
This couldn’t be happening.
She fought, twisting her body, and trying to wrench her arm free. She was the daughter of a Navy SEAL, after all. Her father had taught her some self-defense moves. She rammed an elbow back into the man’s stomach and heard him grunt.
She yanked her arm down and out, managing to break his hold. But a second later, the other guy was on her.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and dragged her toward the van.
Halle opened her mouth and screamed.