Page 22 of Austen

And hung on.

Oh,she’d just sunk into him, her body trembling.

He’d held her, maybe for too long, but relief did that to a man, flushed away all of his walls, made him hang on, pull her close, and briefly let a part of his heart free.

She’d pushed herself away when they pulled up to the yacht, then managed to climb out of the dinghy on her own power, and by the time Declan joined her on the deck, she’d come back to herself.

So, note to self—don’t read too much into that moment.

Ivek had grabbed a towel and flung it over her shoulders, and Elise and Hunter also stood in the stern.He could thank Hunter for spotting the glint on the horizon, still so far away.It had vanished, but that plus the fading location of the PLB signal had sent them in the right direction.

Elise had brought her to the salon, where Jermaine had checked her over, then showed her to a stateroom.

Declan had stayed for a briefing from Captain Teresa.Pretty woman.Capable.He’d hired her only a month ago after his previous captain had gone no-show on him.She came with references from other yacht owners, and he’d been in a bit of a rush.But she seemed loyal and trustworthy.

“The engines have been running at peak for hours.We need to check the oil for any signs of degradation or contamination.And the cooling systems need to be examined to see if we have any leaks or blockages.”

“What about the hull and the prop?”

“Yes.I’ve sent our engineer to check for any stress cracks or abrasions that could have developed.”

“Where are we on fuel?”

“Low, sir, but if we take our time getting to Mariposa, we’ll make it.”

“Do whatever you need to do.I’d rather get there late than not at all.”

“Very good, sir.”She walked away.

For a second, Stein’s expression as he stood on the pier thrummed at Declan.

“Captain?”

Teresa had reached the salon door.Turned back.

“Did you radio the other search boat that we found her?”

“Yes, sir, right away.I also informed the Dominican Coast Guard.”

“Thank you.”

She nodded and left.

Jermaine arrived not long later with an update on dinner, and Declan asked to have it served in the sky lounge on the uppermost tier in the stern.A squall had passed over earlier, but the stars had come out, and maybe...

Aw, c’mon, Dec.The woman had just been traumatized.The last thing she’d want was a romantic dinner.“Ask Camille to keep it simple.Burgers, french fries, a salad.”

Elise and Hunter came in then, said they were exhausted and were getting sandwiches from the galley and retiring.

He might never be able to sleep again, despite twenty-four plus hours of pacing as they raced down to her location, watching the PLB signal, praying it didn’t vanish.

And then it did.

Now, as they sat in the sky lounge, the trauma over, he took a breath and looked at Austen.“What happened?”

“I got attacked by a shark.”

He stared at her.

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