Page 202 of Assassin

It was gorgeous.

The emerald cut was perfect.

“Oh, Remington,” she said, as she held out her shaking hand.

This was so surprising.

Honestly, Calyx expected him to fight it all of the way, since the first part of their courting had been difficult. Only, Remington shocked her by jumping in with both feet and without inhibitions.

Thank God.

She was getting her man.

Gently, he slipped the rock onto her finger, and then, stood to take his woman into his arms. He planted a kiss on her lips, and enjoyed every second of it.

Behind them, Merry and Boone clapped and whistled, and over the com, the Marines finally spoke.

“Thank freaking God,” Zayn said. “It’s about damn time, man. You dragged that poor woman on a slow ride to crazy town.”

Maura laughed.

“We’ll congratulate you in five. Brace yourselves. It’s about to get bumpy,” she said, warning them.

As soon as it was out of her mouth, and they heard her, the boat lurched to a stop, throwing Shing off balance, Merry into Boone’s lap, and Calyx against Remington.

They all looked around like they didn’t know what happened.

The captain tried to cover.

“Oh, something must be wrong with the motor,” he said, using his walkie talkie to talk to the other people on the boat.

Oh, they knew what was wrong. The boat had encountered a few Marines.

Chances were, it was never going to be the same again.

Meanwhile…

Maura gave the signal, and they all sank into the murky water and made their way toward the boat. Marines were really good at a few things.

Disappearing in plain sight.

Blending in.

And amphibious warfare.

When people believed that to be a Navy thing, the Marines proved them wrong. They worked best in the cover of water.

As they each reached the side of the boat, it didn’t take much to grab on. They used handheld suction cups to cling to the boat, just out of view.

“Begin the climb,” Maura said, as she and Jagger were on one side, the Snakes on the other, and Heath and Zayn by the back.

“I’m onboard,” Eve said, as she reached back to pull Jinx onto the boat.

“Same,” Zayn said, helping Heath up with him.

Maura reached the top first. When she went to reach back to Jagger, something happened.

She was pulled backward, and they heard the fight.

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