Page 146 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“What’re you doing?” Jane cried as the cold steel bit into her neck.

“You were trying to trick me?!” His voice rose on the word ‘me’, stunned that she would try to pull a stunt on him.

“Of course not. I don’t know who they are! How could I have called them when I only just regained consciousness?”

But common sense had left the boat and was heading fast for the shore. He dragged her to the top deck where three helicopters hovered in the sky and several dark shapes waited on the water surrounding them.

It was the Harbour Patrol, with their distinct white on red sign sprayed onto each end of the boat. The knife pushed against her throat. Feeling the pressure of the moment, he felt panic grip.

“The knife. You’re hurting me!”

The spotlights suddenly swung toward them, centering until they stood in a halo of light. A commanding voice called out of a loudspeaker.

“You are surrounded Marko. Release Jane and we can talk about what’s gotten you so upset.”

It was Detective Summers. Hearing his familiar voice, some of Jane’s terror receded. He would know what to do. She wasn’t alone with Marko anymore. All these people were here to help her.

Marko glared defiantly into the lights, shifting constantly in case they had any weapons trained on him, making it impossible for them to land a hit.

“Her name is Emily! And she’s my wife!”

“She goes by the name Jane, now, Marko. Please release her so we can board. You won’t be harmed as long as you do what I say.”

Jane felt his rage grow tenfold at the detective words. The hope that had flared in her chest began to sink.

“You don’t tell me what to do. She belongs to me!”

“But you are surrounded Marko. There’s nothing you can do, so let her go and we can see that you will be fairly treated.”

She could see faces peering down at them from the helicopters, but none of them clearly enough to discern who they were. The choppy waters sent the yacht yo-yoing unevenly beneath her feet. The sound of the blades were drowning out everything around her.

Among the madness, she found herself growing quiet. In her mind, Logan’s face appeared. She smiled wistfully, wishing that they could have had more time together.

She could feel that her life was coming to an end.

Marko would never let her go.

He was too twisted, too controlling to let her out of his grasp.

He pushed her toward the edge of the yacht, fingers digging into her arm.

One of the helicopters lowered, coming as close as it could. The door slid open, and Jane looked through the group of cops inside to find Logan staring back at her, his terror palpable.

A thrill went through her.

He was here!

She was so happy to see him this one last time, she took a step toward him. Marko spun around. Spotting Logan in the helicopter, his face twisted with ugliness, his fury combusting.

“No! She will never be yours!”

He shoved her hard, sending her over the side of the yacht.

She crashed into the black water.

The frigid cold stunned her. She felt her lungs catch as she held her breath, only to realize that she was free! Marko hadn’t used the knife on her — too chicken to end her life that way. All she had to do was swim to the surface, and she’d be safe.

She’d be reunited with Logan.

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