Page 50 of Silk Shadow

Phoenix started the engine while Viper pushed the boat out into the shallows. When it was deep enough, he hopped in.

Izzy, unable to help herself, burst into tears. She couldn't help it.

Viper scooped her off the floor and placed her on the seat next to him. "You're safe now. There’s no need to cry."

She heard his words but couldn't stop. “I’m just so happy to be alive.”

"I know. You're in shock but try to relax. Everything's going to be okay."

She buried her head in his shoulder and hung on to him as Phoenix propelled the inflatable through the waves.

Would it? Would it be okay?

They had no idea who had kidnapped her, or why. She took some deep breaths and tried to calm herself. She was alive, that was the main thing. She hadn't been shot in the jungle. Thanks to Viper and Phoenix, she was safe.

For now.

CHAPTER 21

Viper held her close until she stopped crying. She felt so good in his arms, goddamn it. Better than she should, given the circumstances. He stroked her hair and whispered that everything was going to be all right.

She clung to him, her arm wrapped around his waist, her face buried in his chest. A shadow of the confident, cocky woman she'd been in San Diego. A wave of possessiveness like he’d never known swept over him. All he wanted to do was kiss away her fear and make her smile again.

Fucking hell. She’d really gotten under his skin.

He tried to tell himself this was a once-off, a bad experience that she’d forget in time, just like she’d forget about him, but it wasn’t working. Right now, feeling her trembling beside him, all he wanted to do was envelope her in his arms and keep her safe.

Phoenix drove like the wind, parallel to the shore and away from the storm. The gang didn’t follow. They weren't willing to risk their lives for the sake of three strangers. Wise move.

"We've got less than a quarter of a tank," Phoenix warned, glancing at the gauge. "We're going to have to go in soon."

"Take us up the coast as far as you can." Viper watched the endless stretch of jungle go by. As they headed north, it gradually gave way to patches of palms and then to more arid scrubland. The coastline was becoming more developed with occasional signs of human habitation.

"What's that?" Phoenix pointed ahead to the shore.

Viper squinted through the darkness. Years of practice had fine-tuned his night vision. "It looks like some sort of resort. Those are lounge chairs on the beach."

Izzy raised her head. "And folded up umbrellas. It is a resort!"

There was no mistaking the relief in her voice.

Phoenix angled the boat toward the shore. Izzy watched eagerly as they got ever closer.

"Hold on," warned Viper, as Phoenix climbed the back of a wave. "It's going to get bumpy."

She gripped the guard rope, her other arm still around his waist, and hung on as they flew over the crest and into the trough. Once again, the momentum shot the inflatable forward and they surfed the whitewater into the beach.

It was quiet and calm as they pulled the boat up onto the sand. The canvas of night was dotted with stars that sparkled down on them, oblivious to the traumatic events that had taken place far below.

"Looks like we might be able to give the CIA their boat back, after all,” Phoenix said, making him smile.

Viper helped Izzy out of the boat. She stumbled, her legs shaky.

"You okay?"

She gave a little nod but clutched his hand like she was afraid to let go. This needy, clingy Izzy didn't fit with the feisty, independent woman he’d gotten to know these last few days. But then, she'd had a shock.

Truth be told, he didn’t mind. He liked having her close to him, her hand buried in his, even if it was making him think things he shouldn’t. Once they were inside and surrounded by managers and staff and normality, she’d revert back to her normal self. He was sure about that.

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