Page 13 of Raven's Nest
“I can adapt.”
“Right, just like I was able to wait for the Coast Guard before venturing below deck.”
He shook his head. At least, she still had her sense of humor. “Stay close.”
He moved ahead, smiling to himself when she fell in behind him, shadowing his movements like they’d been working together for years. An easy rhythm that usually came from shared missions and absolute trust. But there was something about her that put him at ease, and he knew she’d have his back regardless of the circumstances.
Zain inched down the corridor, senses on high alert, muscles primed. If she really had heard voices and gunshots, the perps were close. Because he had no doubts Chase would have fired off a round or three if some armed assholes had suddenly appeared topside.
The hull groaned, again, though this sounded different. More like a hum that seemed to linger in the air — like singing only creepier. Saylor inhaled behind him, and he stopped, then glanced back. Eyes wide, skin overly pale, she looked as if she’d either seen a ghost or was about to pass out. He waited until she met his gaze, then arched a brow. She pursed her lips, her chin quivering, again, before she nodded, and motioned him on.
There was definitely something off about her. And more than just the obvious. She seemed edgy. Almost distracted, constantly glancing behind them as if she expected someone to pop out of the shadows, despite Kash bringing up the rear. Looking as if she was the one who wanted to crawl out of her own skin.
He pushed away the thoughts. They could talk later, when it was safe. For now, she needed him completely focused.
The corridor ended up ahead, opening into what looked like a small utility area with more gauges and bulkheads. He stopped at the edge of the wall, showing the countdown on his hand before popping out — sweeping the room with his weapon. More blood dotted the walls, a single body slumped against the floor.
He cleared the rest of the space, trusting Kash to have their six before doubling back and going to one knee. Blood pooled beneath the guy’s chest, the sheer amount suggesting he was already dead.
Zain checked for a pulse, regardless, then rolled the man over. Blood trickled from his ears and mouth,multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. What looked like those semi-automatic rounds she’d heard.
Saylor inhaled, then tripped back a couple steps, bumping into a support beam. Her hand went to her mouth, her eyes more than a bit wild, now.
Zain stood, then went over to her, glancing at the dead guy then back to her. “Hey, you good?”
She blinked, looked as if she might puke, then nodded. Too fast for him to believe she meant it. Instead, this seemed forced, as if she was trying to convince herself as much as him. “Fine, I?—”
A single shot cut her off, the report vibrating through the ship.
Kash grunted. “Something’s seriously wrong if Chase is calling us back.”
“Which means, we’re out of here. We’ll update the Coast Guard as soon as we’re clear — let them know they’ve got a priority case with a dead body.” Zain motioned to the corridor. “I’ll cover everyone’s six.”
Saylor glanced at the guy, again, paled a bit more, then drew herself up. She nodded, all that golden hair brushing across her shoulder, then followed Kash, still checking the shadows, and Zain had to admit, she had great instincts. Never let her guard down.
Kash stopped at the hatch, then darted out, clearing each direction before hoofing it back to the stairwell. He repeated the procedure, waited for the door to close behind them, then bounded up the stairs. Saylor followed, her gun at the ready, only slightly slower than Kash.
Damn, the girl had skills, and Zain knew she’d belaying down cover fire and capping mercenaries if the situation called for it.
Kash waited at the top, once again showing the countdown before barreling out. Going high and left as Zain and Saylor went low and right. Sweeping the deck, just in case, before retracing their steps.
Chase stood next to Atticus, lips pinched tight. He waved them over. “We’ve got company, and I don’t think they’re coming to lend a hand.”
Zain followed Chase’s outstretched arm, cursing at the boat speeding toward them. What looked like several heavily armed men with guns mounted on the boat’s frame. “Pirates? Really?”
“Technically, they’re armed robbers if we’re still in territorial waters…” Saylor sighed, nodding at Chase and Kash. “That’s not the takeaway, here. You two help Atticus down the ladder, then get onboard Foster’s boat and book it. I’ll run interference if those assholes follow.”
Kash scoffed. “As if we’d leave you alone to fight this.”
“My Zodiac goes nearly twice as fast as Foster’s cruiser. And with the amount of weight that pirate boat’s carrying — how it’s riding in the water — I bet my ass those bastards won’t come close to catching me.”
“Saylor…”
“Fifteen years, Kash. With five tours in TACLET units. This is my wheelhouse. Besides, I never said I’d be alone.” She glanced at Zain. “Youcanshoot inunfavorable conditions while racing over the water, right?”
Zain moved in close. “Are you questioning my skills? That’s cold.”
She smiled and motioned to the ladder. “You heard him. He’s up for the challenge. Now, move, or we’ll all be caught in the crossfire.”
