Page 50 of Honor Code

They lay in an exhausted silence for a while, listening to the waves crashing on the distant reef, the whispering palm trees, and the seagulls as they flew overhead. It was kind of idyllic. Under different circumstances, this would be a beautiful place to take a vacation or explore on a day off. Now they were here, being chased by men who wanted to kill them.

“I think Henderson is involved,” she said softly, once she’d regained some of her strength.

He glanced over at her. “What makes you say that?”

“He hired me,” she admitted, still feeling the crushing embarrassment of being played. “I think he did so expecting me to be too young and inexperienced to lead this project.”

“You’re perfectly capable—” Phoenix said.

“No, I’m really not. My only other role on a rig has been as part of a large team. I thought it was strange at the time, but it was good for my career, so I jumped at the chance.” She bit her lip. “Meanwhile, he was using me because he thought I’d do my job and not ask too many questions. A more experienced engineer would have realized something was off with the survey reports long before I did.”

Phoenix was silent for a moment, processing what she’d said. “Do you think he was the one who cut the railing, and tried to harm you during the storm?”

“It’s possible. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and he could have staged the accident to get me and Suzi up on deck. It was right after I’d voiced my concerns to him.”

Phoenix shook his head angrily. The violent spark in his gaze made her catch her breath. He looked so dangerous in that moment, so lethal, with his granite expression and menacing stillness. She almost felt sorry for Henderson. Almost, but not quite.

“He may have set off the IED,” Phoenix muttered. “Could it have been him you saw in the speedboat?”

“It could be, yeah. The man I saw had a similar height and build, now that you mention it.”

“I think I know what happened.” Phoenix’s whole body bristled. “Henderson detonated the bomb, hoping to take out the rig, then he sped off to a waiting yacht when he saw you coming back. He informed the people he’s working for, and they ordered two hired mercs to come after us. I’ll bet they were there to tie up any loose ends.”

“That’s terrible,” Ellie whispered, shocked at the extent of the scam. “What about the survivors? Do you think they made it to the Discoverer?”

He gave a grim nod. “I’m sure they did. We distracted the bad guys for long enough for Billy to get the others to safety.”

“Thank goodness for that.” She shivered, but not because she was cold. She couldn’t believe someone would resort to such extreme measures for pure greed.

“When you’re ready, we should try to find the ranger’s station.” Phoenix glanced up at the multicolored sky. The sun was setting, turning it into a rainbow of pinks, oranges and yellows. “It would be good to find shelter before it gets dark.”

Ellie groaned and pushed herself up. Exhausted didn’t even begin to cover it. Every tendon, every muscle in her body was aching. She wasn’t even sure she could get to her feet.

“Let me take a look at your leg,” he said, rising effortlessly. Even with a concussion, he was in better shape than she was.

His torso was pumped up from the swim, muscles bulging and rippling under tanned skin still glistening with saltwater. Years of intense training had sculpted his body into a work of art, all hard planes and ridges of muscle without an ounce of extra fat. His shoulders were broad, tapering down to a trim waist and abs you could grate cheese on. A trail of dark hair started below his navel and disappeared tantalizingly into the waistband of his shorts.

Ellie swallowed hard as he inspected her leg, her exhausted body suddenly flushing with heat that had nothing to do with the warm sand beneath them. She dragged her gaze back up to his face, trying to focus but finding it difficult. The man was built like a Greek god, for heaven’s sake.

“Yep, that’s a jellyfish sting. Is it very painful?”

“No,” she said truthfully.

He smiled. “I’ve had plenty. I know it stings like hell.”

She made to protest, but he held up a hand. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

“Wait! Where are you going?”

He disappeared into the bank of trees flanking the beach and was back before she had a chance to react. “Here, let’s rub some of this on it.”

She looked at the succulent green plant in his hand. “What’s that?”

“Aloe vera. Its sap is brilliant for stings and bites. We often use it for bluebottle stings and the like in the Navy.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of aloe vera before. I didn’t know it grew here.”

“It grows on most tropical beaches.” He squeezed the juice onto her leg and rubbed it in. His fingers were gentle, caressing her leg like it was the most natural thing in the world. Then he stopped, but his fingers lingered.

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