Page 108 of Ship Outta Luck

Love this journey for me!

Popping up for a moment, I glance over my shoulder. My heart nearly stops when I catch sight of Dean hanging limp against the railing.

“Fuck,” I mutter.

I’m a good swimmer, a great swimmer even, but I need Dean conscious if I’m going to get Charlie out, too. Leaving either of them isn’t an option. Not going to happen.

Pulse skyrocketing, I glance at my watch out of habit, only to realize it must’ve died at some point. At least it won’t tell me to breathe or some bullshit.

Pierce yells something incoherent, and I chance a second look back.

His face is red with rage, apoplectic. A silvery gun flashes, and I flatten again. A bullet going wide, lodging into the door of the rental.

I pick up more speed, then cut back across, sending theBettyflying over the wake again. This time I don’t slow down, immediately circling back behind the other boat, and Pierce takes the bait.

Stupid, stupid Pierce.

Thank you for your service, asshole.

TheBettysplashes down hard, a third massive wave hitting it. The water’s ridiculously choppy now, the two cruisersskidding across and into the waves. I shiver, goosebumps pebbling over my arms despite the sun.

This could still end really badly.

I can’t think about that possibility.

TheBettyis moving slower now, and my stomach sinks. This might get us all killed. Sunk in the same spot as theSantu Espiritudid, all those years ago.

I smile grimly.

It’s too late now.

TheBettywon’t make it much longer. It’s do or die. Literally.

I push the handle forward, picking up speed for one last chaotic circle. TheBettyslices over my wake, the waves even bigger now.

“There’s fucking water in the boat.” Pierce’s rage sounds over the motors, crystal clear.

“Get up, Dean, get up,” I urge.

I look back, and hair lashes across my face, stinging my eyes.

Shock wrenches me at the sight.

Charlie.

She’s on the deck, her blonde hair streaked with red, her hands cuffed. Pierce holds a gun to her head. Dean is still, a trickle of crimson falling across his shoulder.

I chose wrong and I’m going to get us killed.

“Fuck.” The word comes out with delicious force.

The time for professionalism is over.

“I’ll shoot her if you don’t stop. I’ll shoot both of them. I don’t give a fuck. Tell me where the drugs are now,” Pierce screams. Charlie fidgets beside him.

I nod slowly, gauging the level of water in the back of the boat. It comes up to Dean’s ankles.

There isn’t a lot of time.

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