Page 67 of Raven's Nest
Saylor smiled. “Then, it’s because the entire vessel’s going under. I’ll get us there. Guaranteed. I just hope everything turns out, and I have a chance to bring us back.”
Chase shook his head. “And here I’m thinking the assault is the easy part. Remind me not to talk Kash out of volunteering, next time.”
“We both know why you did it, and that’s not changing anytime soon.” Saylor checked the instruments. “You’re going to have to shout if you want to be heard, otherwise hang tight. This is going to be ugly.”
Zain jumped back onboard as Saylor maneuvered the Zodiac away from the pier, timing the waves as she dodged the boat through the raging breakers. Large swells covered the ocean, the tops curling over in a violent display of pure fury.
He shuffled closer, one hand gripped around a handle on the left side of the console, the other loosely palming her back. Shielding her left side from the worst of the biting wind.
“It’s surprising how much colder it is standing here.” She gave him a nudge. “You can take that last seat beside Chase if you want. You’ll be warmer.”
Zain shrugged. “I don’t have to pilot the boat. Just let me know if you’re having trouble, you can have my jacket.”
“While I normally would jump at the chance, you need to stay warm if you’re gonna be ready to face Watson. And yeah, I have no doubts he’ll be there.”
He nodded, staring out at the ocean. “You gonna be okay running into him?”
She glanced at him. “I’ve got you. I’m golden.”
“Just remember that when I hand the guy his ass. Assuming he doesn’t try to shoot us. If that happens…”
Zain would do whatever was necessary.
He didn’t say it, but Saylor knew that’s what he meant. That he’d be the one to make the tough decisions — live with the guilt. Just another reason to fall harder for the guy.
She smiled. “If I leave enough of him still standing for you to deal with.”
He didn’t call her on the statement, and they fell into an odd silence as she piloted the boat through the raging storm. Slipping into one swell, only to shoot out onto the crest of the next before the wave curled over — took them all down with it. The wind howled through the struts, blowing rain and spray across the helm, butshe kept the boat on track, following the line they’d calculated from Buck’s notes.
The visibility worsened as Saylor plowed ahead, banking the Zodiac hard to port when an immense rolling breaker appeared off the starboard side. White water frothing across the crest. A deep trough trying to lure her in. She gave the boat a boost of speed, catching some air when she hit the next wave a bit late — missed the crest by a couple feet.
The Zodiac bounced, spraying water up and over the bow, spilling it across the floor before it dissipated, just an inch or two remaining between the molded boards. Having to bank, again, to avoid another disaster in the making, put them a bit farther off-course. Had her weaving her way back to the track line.
Zain used his arm to wipe away some of the mist and condensation as he peered into the inky darkness. “How are you even keeping this thing afloat? I can’t see five feet in front of the bow.”
She shrugged. “Part experience. Part luck.”
“I doubt it’s luck. Not with how you’re dancing through the swells and the breakers.” He looked over at her. “You’re incredible.”
“Remember that when I have to shut down all the lighting because we can’t afford to be seen. Which’ll be any minute now. We’re getting close to their last sighting.”
He grabbed her wrist. “You’re going to shut downallthe lights?”
“It can’t be worse than hunting cartel drug boats in the dark.”
“Was the ocean trying to kill you then, too?”
“Sometimes. And the assholes onboard definitely were. I got this, just yell if you see anything concerning.”
He swallowed, rolling one shoulder. “Honestly, I could start now, and I don’t think I’d ever stop.”
She gave his hand a squeeze, took a breath, then shut down the lighting. Not that the navigational lights had spread a beam across the surface. More of a psychological booster. Having everything fade into utter darkness…
A shiver wove down her spine, but she pushed on, using the sounds and the wind to guide her. The hint of brightness not far off on the horizon. What could be a ship or just her mind playing tricks on her. More remnants of that night bleeding through.
She shoved the thought aside. She could wallow in the past later, after she’d kept her promise and gotten them safely to theNexus.
God, she hoped she was right. That this wasn’t a wasted trip, especially when the increasing storm front seemed determined to capsize them. Or pitchpole them beneath a massive crest.
