Page 90 of These Rough Waters

Maya sees them off at the door, a softness to her as she leans on the frame and watches them go, a light breeze teasing the strands of her hair. She was mesmerizing in every single way.

I touch her shoulder, drawing her away from the door long after they’ve moved out of her line of sight.

I didn’t want to tell her everything would be okay, right now, nothing was okay, but I could be the crutch she needed to stand on.

She leans back against my chest, “I have to trust my decision,” She says quietly, “I have to trust that I have the strength to do this and see it through but it’s hard, Torin. I’m so scared.”

“I’ve seen a lot of shit in my life, little doe,” I kiss the top of her head, “but there’s something special seeing a woman realize her strength. The hardest part was leaving and getting on my boat, this next part,” I say, “This is the end of the nightmare. I will do all I can to protect both of you.”

“I know you will,” She sighs, “And I wish I didn’t have to ask for the help, but I know I need it.”

“It isn’t a chore,” I assure her, “Keeping you safe is an honor I will die for.”

“Don’t do that.” She whispers.

“What?”

“Die.” Her head tips back so she can look at me, “because my heart beats for you too and I’m not sure I’d survive if I lost you.”

I kiss her then, deeply, passionately, conveying every ounce of what I feel for her into the act.

We end up sat at the table, fresh coffees in hand when the door opens and we turn to find Rett strolling through, leaving the damn door wide open like he was born in a fucking barn.

His brows are tugged low, concern etched into his face, “I heard the dock guys talking.” He says as his way of greeting, “It’s an odd time of year to take hordes of tourists, right?”

“The season is over,” I confirm, “Ravenpeak gets the odd visitor, but it never sees huge crowds.”

“Huh,” He muses, “They were talking about a big group coming in early this morning, said they didn’t look like the kind to visit.”

My hackles go up, “What else?”

“I’m thinking the same thing, brother,” Rett says as if he can read the thoughts swarming through my head. “I’m going to –”

His words are cut short abruptly and he suddenly falls forward, hitting the floor hard and roughly. Behind him, a man in a suit, carrying a large chunk of wood stolen from my firewood stock stands there.

Maya and I move at the same time, getting to our feet but when Maya rushes forward to Rett’s aid, I haul her back with an arm around her waist, seeing more men swarming outside the front door. All suited, but they were clearly and visibly armed.

I could feel how quickly Maya was breathing, how panicked she was becoming but then someone steps forward.

And I don’t recognize him, but I could guess who it was.

He steps over Rett’s unconscious body like he was something simply in his way and shoves his hands into his pockets. Dark fathomless eyes latch onto my girl and he cocks his head, eyes roving over her possessively before he grins and speaks.

“Hello Maya.”

Forty-two

“Trevor.” Maya gasps.

I knew it was him before she ever confirmed it. His eyes flick to me and I take the moment to position myself in front of Maya, blocking her from his line of sight.

“I’ve come to bring you home,” Trevor tells her, “Now.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Maya snaps, her fingers tightening on the arm she’s grasping, nails biting into my skin. I could feel the tremor in her body, feel it vibrating against me as the fear tries to drag her down, but she stands tall and loud and fuck I was proud of her in this moment.

“Is that so?” Trevor says, nodding his head once.

I see it in slow motion, see the men move before I can do anything to stop it and their guns are pulled and bullet is fired.

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