Page 83 of Descent

“You trust me?”

“Of course,” she says.

“Good,” I nod, before pushing the door open.

Half a dozen security guards are surrounding the door, all waiting for us. I drop my hold on Skyla, handing her the bag before I take on the first guy, punching him in the throat before kicking in his kneecap. He screams, falling to the floor as the rest charge me. I take each down, one by one, before I reach out for Skyla. She runs to me and I rush her to the edge of the boat, grabbing the rope ladder and throwing it over the side.

Her terrified eyes meet mine and I nod as I take her bag, throwing it over the edge. She looks over to see it sail through the air, landing just barely in Wesley’s arms. He’s trying to maneuver the boat close enough to us, without getting in the way of the ship’s wake.

Another security guard charges me as Skyla begins scrambling down the side of the boat. I pull out my gun, jamming the butt of it against the bridge of his nose. He howls in pain, stumbling backwards as I jump onto the ladder, following Skyla before she reaches the end.

The breeze is forcing the ladder from side to side and Wesley is trying to reach for her while steering the boat at the same time.

“C’mon, little one. I got you!” he shouts over the roaring of the ship.

She glances anxiously at the distance between them before looking up to me. I give her an encouraging nod and she leaps through the air, my heart seizing in my chest when I see she didn’t jump out far enough.

Wesley miraculously scrambles to the edge of the boat, holding his hands out for hers as she slips into the ocean. His hold on her keeps her head barely above water, before he’s pulling her body out and into the boat.

Once she’s safe, he wraps a blanket around her before steering the boat closer. I climb the rest of the way down before springing off the ship and onto the boat. I land in a crouch and next thing I know, Wesley flips us around to head back to shore.

Skyla is shivering and I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my lap as we sail through the water. Flashing lights are easily seen on shore from here and I share a look with Wesley as he veers off, heading for a more discreet docking position.

I’m sure the Brethren will be down our throats for this one and I have no idea how we’re gonna explain it away.

Chapter Thirty Three

Ronan

I’m sitting at the table, my knee bouncing anxiously as I watch the door. Wesley called me twenty minutes ago and said that they have Skyla, that they were on their way home. They should be here by now, though.

Asher is pacing the same six feet, over and over, his eyes moving from his steps to the door– back and forth. Liam is sitting on the side of the bed, facing the entrance as we all just wait.

Finally, the door opens. Asher and I sprint towards it while Liam grabs his crutches and lifts himself to stand. When we get there, Vincent is holding a soaked and shivering Skyla. He doesn’t say a word, just carries her upstairs, assumingly to get changed.

Wesley trails in behind them, shutting the door before looking at me.

“What happened?” Asher asks.

“She got on a cruise ship to Canada. I don’t know what her plan was.”

“How’d you get her to come with you?” I ask.

He shakes his head and holds his hands up.

“I just drove the boat. Vincent pulled some mission impossible shit getting on and off the ship. I don’t know how he talked her into coming with him, but there’s a fuck-ton of security guards looking for him.”

Lovely. Another mess to clean up.

“Why would she do that?” Liam asks, hurt clear in his voice.

“My guess is she feels responsible for what happened to you,” Wesley answers Liam.

“Well, that’s fucking stupid!” Liam snaps. “She can’t just flip out and leave us like that. Can’t fucking smash my heart through text just because she’s scared. She can’t…” he trails off, his chest fuming.

Asher reaches out to clap his shoulder, but Liam jerks away from him, using his crutches to move back into the living room before getting on his bed. Leaning forward, Asher offers Wesley his hand.

“Thank you,” he says, the sincerest appreciation I’ve ever heard come out of my nephew’s mouth.

---