Page 66 of Stranded

He doesn’t even bother parking properly, steering toward the turning area at the top of the wharf. “Go!”

I leap out of the moving golf cart. I feel like a cartoon, legs whirling underneath me to keep pace with my body. Only willpower and desperation keeps me upright.

We’re too late.

The ferry is chugging off into the distance, a little too far away to holler at it… but close enough that I can see a flash of bright yellow in the luggage area.

“No!”

The golf cart screeches to a halt and Alph’s footsteps pound down the metal ramp after me.

I’m burning up with helpless fury. Gravity has seized hold of me, and I can’t stop moving—even at the bottom of the ramp. With my eyes fixed on the ferry, I’m veering off to the side, heading right for the edge of the water.

I skid across the slick boards, arms whirling as I try to stay upright.

Alph grabs me by the back of my jacket. He grabs me around the waist by the other hand, hauling me back into him.

“Fuck,” I gasp, my thighs shaking as I stare down at the murky blue water. That was way too close for comfort. Idefinitelydon’t have time to figure out a whole new outfit before the showcase.

If I even make it.

The ferry crossing is too quick. Even if we ran to the dock where the small boats moor, we couldn’t beat them to the harbour in Alph’s boat. They’re already most of the way there.

Alph lets go of me and sprints to the bar. My lungs burn. I double over and press my hands on my thighs, catching my breath. I’m surprised at how quickly I recover, though.

All that hauling fabric on and off the island has really done me wonders.

I push the door open, tailing Alph to the bar.

“—Ronan’s assistant,” Kieran is animatedly waving his hands at Alph. “Not even an hour ago. He didn’t want to interrupt you two, so I told him where you live.”

“Fuck.” Kieran turns his confused stare to me. “I don’thavean assistant. But I do have enemies.”

Kieran freezes, staring between me and Alph. “Oh,bollockingfuck.”

Alph leans over to look out the window at the ferry—it’s made it past the open water in the middle, where the floatplanes land. That means it’s just about in the harbour.

And then Derek and his cronies are home free.

Alph braces one forearm against the top of the bar and flings himself across. I gasp, Kieran leaps out of the way, and Alph grabs a radio hanging on the back wall.

“Sunbeam, this is Sunrise Harbour. Come in,” he barks into it.

I hold my breath as the line crackles.

“This is the Sunbeam, over.”

It’s his boss, Berty.

“Instruction,” Alph says, staring out the window at the ferry. “Return to Sunrise Harbour. I repeat, instruction: return to Sunrise Harbour.”

Please, please, please…I can’t breathe. I cross my fingers for dear life, leaning on the bar and waiting as the radio crackles.

“I will return to Sunrise Harbour.”

Kieran whoops and pumps his fist. I groan with relief, sagging against the counter. There’s only a few people in the restaurant at this hour, but they’re all cheering, too.

Then the radio crackles again and Alph raises his hand, shushing everyone.

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