Page 240 of Bossy Hero

The rumble of the yacht’s engine pulsates from the soles of my feet up my legs.

We made it on board, seemingly undetected.

So far, so good.

Taking cover behind two oversized deck chairs, I scan our surroundings from this new vantage. We’re on a platform that juts from the back of the boat on the first deck above water level. A windowless exterior wall separates it from the main cabin. Along the wall is an outdoor stairwell leading to the upper decks.

I holster my rifle and switch to my SIG. Considering we’ll be navigating the boat’s tight corridors, I’d rather not whip a long fucking gun around like I’m in a big dick-waving contest.

“We’re coming in hot, Boss,” Aaron announces over the comms.

“Translation—they’re sprinting across the parking lot,” Mia tacks on.

“Copy.”

I’ll feel much better about our odds when we’re five-strong. Well, four plus Patterson. Not sure whether he’s an asset or a liability. My gut says the latter.

I snap at him to get his attention. “We need to keep the boat from leaving the marina. As soon as my team gets here, you and I will disable the engine.”

“Let’s go to the bridge instead,” he suggests.

Asinine.

I glare at him. “Are you trying to die?”

“If we can get up there undetected, I’ll force the captain and crew to hold the ship here.”

This guy is as useful as a soup sandwich. A box of dildos would have been a more capable partner. At least I could throw them at the enemy.

“Detective, has thinking ever crossed your mind? They won’t listen to you.”

“I have a badge that says they will.”

“Do you hear yourself? A crew bought and paid for by Lenkov won’t listen to a cop.”

He screws his face to the side, then darts his gaze around the port side of the boat. When he glances my way, he shakes his phone at me. “I’ll try to get an ETA on SWAT.”

Patterson’s annoying me so thoroughly that I almost miss the warning signals increasing in my gut.

I flash the okay symbol and crane my neck for a better view along the starboard side. “Mia, do you have the yacht’s schematic up yet?”

“Affirmative.”

“Where’s the engine on this thing? It’s gotta be close. I can feel it.”

“The stern end of the hull. One level below you and approximately ten feet toward the bow.”

“Great. How do I fucking get there? Do I have to go up to the main deck? It’ll be hard to do that without being exposed.”

“There’s a crew stairwell midship that connects all five decks, including the engine room level. However, there should be an access panel near you that leads down there.”

“Is the panel on the deck?”

“Hang on. This floor plan isn’t giving me what you need. Let me find another one.”

Henderson’s voice comms through my earpiece quietly. “Coming up on your six.”

I turn around, catching scant glimpses of them as they approach. A puff of pride swells my chest.

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