Page 16 of Raven's Nest
She waved him off. “It’s just a scratch.”
“The hell it is. You’re bleeding. A lot.”
“Not my first gunshot wound. Trust me, it’s nothing.” She motioned to his rifle. “How many shots have you got left?”
“Two. And no, I don’t think this is close to over, yet.”
“Which means, we need to lose these assholes as soon as they reappear.”
She scanned the horizon, looking for the right wave, when a breaking swell appeared off their starboard side. Larger than any she’d seen, yet. What could pitchpole them if she was even a second late reaching the crest.
The Zodiac rose and fell, as she waited, praying the other men made a move before her window of opportunity closed. The wind howled past, the raingetting impossibly heavier, when the boat ghosted into view on their stern — more gunfire zinging past them.
That had her laser focused as she took off, manipulating her speed just enough to lure the pirates before hitting the throttle. The Zodiac shot forward, the bow pitching up then planing out as she raced toward the wave — making it as close as possible without killing them. She hit the leading edge, milking every ounce of speed out of the engines, as the boat tipped up. It hung there, bow at a forty-five, the outboards trying to push them over the top, that wave cresting above them, before the Zodiac caught enough momentum it plowed over the ridge and down the other side, more water pouring over the edges.
The spray soaked through her clothes as she banked right, riding that surge as the other boat missed the mark, tipping back on itself beneath the force of the water. The navigational lights flashed amidst the churning ocean, a few shouts rising above the wind, then nothing.
No gunfire.
No pleas.
Just the waves crashing against the Zodiac’s hull. The wind raging around them.
Zain shook his head and grabbed some bandages and some clotting powder out of the first aid kit. He slipped her arm out of her jacket and cut away enough of her sweater he could clamp his hand around the wound. “You’re insane, you know that?”
She bit back a curse, grunting through the pain as she glanced at him, still racing for home. “I’m not theone who hits moving targets while bouncing around on a speeding boat with the ocean tossing us about like confetti.”
Zain shrugged. “That’s a different kind of crazy. You…” He glanced at her shoulder, paled.
She sighed. “Not your fault. In fact, if it weren’t for you, I’d be dead.”
“Says the woman who pushed me out of the way. You should have let me take the hit.”
“That’s not who I am. Besides, we both know you planted your ass up here instead of at the stern so you could do the same damn thing.”
His left eye twitched. “That’s different.”
“Why?” She blew out an exasperated breath when he simply stared at the ocean, head still on a swivel as he continually scanned their surroundings. “You can’t have a do-over of our date if you’re dead.”
He inhaled, then leaned in close. “You might want to take your own advice.”
“Ride’s not over yet, Zain. There could be a third boat.”
He stared at her, scanned the horizon, then laughed. “You’re definitely one-of-a-kind.” He poured on the powder then tied a layer of bandages in place. “And you’re either letting Chase treat this or going to the hospital as soon as we get back so, make peace with that, now.”
She rolled her eyes, then focused on the water, bouncing along the waves as she closed in on her dock. Zain had resorted to using his handgun, though, she bet her ass he’d still hit targets at some insane distance.
Foster’s boat bobbed against the pier as she finally slowed, guiding the Zodiac next to his. Hanging lights brightened the darkness, swinging roughly in the wind. She stared at them, an eerie sensation shivering down her back, that face from the boat wavering in the shadows. Hadn’t the lights been swinging that night, too? Just like now. A storm raging around them. An odd tone taking her to her knees.
“Saylor!”
She blinked, focusing on Zain’s handsome face. His short brown hair spiked up in all directions, his amazing blue eyes stole her breath. Hijacking every thought but how much she wanted to taste his full lips.
Zain frowned. “You back with me?”
She groaned inwardly. “Never left.”
His frown deepened, but he didn’t call her out. Instead, he hooked his arm through hers, leading her over to the side.
