Chapter 6
The Atalanta slowed to a stop. The sky was a stunning, clear blue, dotted with fluffy, white clouds. A pod of curious dolphins was swimming beside the ship.
Ren stood with his arms crossed, and watched the research team on the back deck of the ship. They were readying the UUV to go into the water for more tests.
He saw Ryan punch in a code and the side of the UUV opened. Ren could just make out the power cell.
It was smaller than he’d guessed, encased in a black box with some blinking lights on it.
Yes. This would re-revolutionize underwater drones. And plenty of people would risk a lot to get their hands on it.
He saw Halle step out on deck. Every muscle in his body went rigid.
She was wearing a wetsuit, but the top portion was hanging down around her waist. All she had on her torso was a small, red bikini top.
He shifted, willing his cock to behave. The fabric hugged her full breasts, and he could see the sweet curve of her belly. Her brown hair was up in a ponytail.
Before he realized what he was doing, he was heading down the steps toward her.
He saw people looking at her—the crew, her team members, fucking Ryan. Ren wanted to punch every one of them.
“What are you doing?” he bit out.
“Ren.” She spun, pulling up her wetsuit and sliding her arms in.
At least she was covered now. His brain managed to start working again.
“I’m going to snorkel.” She lifted up the mask she was holding. “There’s a pod of dolphins out there. I want to see how they react to, and interact with, the UUV.” She pointed to an underwater camera on the deck. It was in a special holder that would make it buoyant and easy for her to grip. “I’ll take some photos, and I get to have a swim.”
She’d always loved the water.
But they were in the middle of the ocean. He didn’t love the idea of her being out there.
“Can’t resist, can you, Ariel,” he murmured.
She winked at him and headed down toward her team.
Ren’s hands turned into fists, and he squeezed them until his knuckles turned white.
The professor waved to one of the crew, who activated the crane. The UUV lowered into the water. The rest of the team all huddled around a laptop, with Ryan at the controls.
“How’s the power output?” Professor Davis asked.
“Steady,” Ryan replied.
Then Halle dived in.
Ren dragged in a deep breath. She snorkeled on the surface. Some dolphins appeared, circling her. They were playful, and he heard her laugh.
Then a moment later she dived under the water. He could just make out her shadow.
He watched her swim and dive, taking photos, and getting farther away from the ship. He assumed she was photographing the drone and the dolphins.
There was also some flotsam in the water. Plastic. A sad reality of the ocean these days.
She dived under again, and he held his breath. A moment later, she came up.
Ren cupped his hands around his mouth. “Halle. There’s debris in the water. Be careful.”
“I see it,” she called back. “There’s more under the surface.” There was disgust in her voice.
“How’s the UUV?” Sammy called out.
“Looks great. I’m getting some good photos.”
She dived under again.
Ren watched the dolphins. One leaped merrily into the air. The scientists were talking about the UUV results, and sounded excited. He tuned them out, and focused on the water.
Halle resurfaced, swimming alongside a dolphin for a little bit before she dived under again.
He leaned on the railing. They were two days into the trip. They had three more days, and then they’d reach Hawaii.
Then she’d be gone.
His gut clenched. Yeah, he didn’t like that, but he knew it was for the best.
The quicker they got to Hawaii, and Halle got off the ship, the better. He was doing what was right for her.
Something bobbed up out of the water.
Ren blinked and straightened.
“Oh my God, is that Halle’s camera?” Sammy asked.
The team all moved to the railing. Everyone scanned the water. Heart pumping, Ren stared at the spot where he’d last seen her.
He suddenly noted that the dolphins were gone.
Halle.
Adrenaline pumped through his body. Something was wrong.
He kicked off his shoes, then ran across the deck. Without pausing, he dove off the back of the ship.
He hit, water closing over him. It was such a familiar feeling. He’d had intense training as a SEAL, and being in the water was second nature to him.
He sliced through the water. He reached the camera, then dove down deep.
There was good visibility. A second later, he saw the dolphins.
They were hovering right near where Halle was struggling in the water.
Her leg was caught in an old fishing net.
She was fighting and twisting, trying to get her leg free. As he watched, her movements turned sluggish.
No. Halle.
She was thrilledwith the photos she’d taken.
Halle swam closer to the dolphins. They made her smile. God, her mom would have loved this.
The shadow of the UUV was nearby, but she couldn’t hear it. The team would be happy. She’d analyze the noise data later.
What didn’t make her smile, however, was the debris in the water. It was probably waste dumped off cargo ships. There was trash, plastic, old fishing nets.
She took a big breath and dived deeper to take some more photos. The dolphins were curious about the UUV, and she watched one swim up to it.
She hovered in the water and snapped some more shots.
When she went to swim upward, she felt a tug on her leg.
She looked down. Her leg was caught in a fishing net.
Crap. She pulled, but she couldn’t get free.
Adrenaline pumped into her system. She kept tugging, but the bottom half of her leg and her fin were wrapped in the netting.
She let go of the camera and it drifted upward. She grabbed at the net, trying desperately to free herself. She yanked, but the net just tangled tighter around her.
Tightness was building in her lungs. She bit down tighter on the mouthpiece of the snorkel. She wouldn’t be able to hold her breath much longer.
Halle kicked harder. She was too deep for the others to see what had happened from their vantage point on the ship.
She spat the snorkel out, panic building. Bubbles escaped her mouth. Her lungs were starting to constrict and burn.
No. She had too much to live for.
Ren. She pictured his handsome face in her head.
She was starting to feel lightheaded, and soon she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from opening her mouth. Panic was hot and slick inside her.
Suddenly, a dark shape sliced closer.
Her heart hit her ribs. Then Ren was in front of her, still wearing his shirt and shorts. He had a fierce look on his face.
He touched her cheek, then kicked lower. She felt a hard tug on her leg.
Thank God.Her panic subsided. Ren was here. He’d get her out.
There was a giant tug. She was really dizzy now, and her lungs were burning.
Don’t open your mouth. Don’t open your mouth.
Then Ren wrapped his arms around her, and kicked. They shot toward the surface.
A moment later, their heads broke the surface.
Halle frantically heaved in air.
“You’re okay, baby. I’ve got you. Just breathe.”
His voice soothed her. He turned her so that her back was resting against his chest. She felt his warm lips against her cheeks.
“Lean back, and just breathe,” he murmured in her ear.
Then he kicked. He pulled her back toward the ship. Each powerful kick sent them sailing through the water. Halle just relaxed against him and let him tow her.
Safe. She was safe now.
But before they reached the Atalanta, the shivers started. She felt so cold.
She’d almost died.
Worried faces on the deck peered down at her as they reached the ship. She closed her eyes. Ren handed her up, and two crew members pulled her aboard.
“You’re okay, now,” one man murmured. “We’ve got you.”
Irrational panic trickled back into her system and she pulled away from the man. When Ren was holding her, she’d felt safe. Giant shivers wracked her.
“Halle, shit.” Sammy arrived, wrapping a towel around her.
Fitz, Ryan, and Professor Davis hovered nearby, worry on their faces.
Ren climbed aboard. He was dripping water, and he yanked his wet shirt off.
Even with shivers overtaking her, she let her gaze run over his bronze skin and firm muscles.
“She needs to get warm,” he said. “She’s in shock.”
“My camera—” Her voice shook.
“I don’t give a shit about your camera,” Ren said.
“We’ll get it,” Professor Davis said.
“Be careful of the debris.” Ren reached down and lifted her into his arms. “There are old fishing nets in the water. That’s what she got tangled in.”
Halle clung to him. He was so hard, so warm.
He strode down the main deck, and she buried her face against his neck. She sensed him going up the stairs and inside, the sun giving way to shadows.
She looked up and saw his jaw was tight. “You’re mad at me.”
“No. I’m mad that you almost…” His voice broke. “Just hold on, Halle. I’ll get you warm. You’re safe now.”
“I know.”