Page 76 of Fighting Salvation

“Zack Cunningham and Smithy from the Fortis team. Both men are highly skilled in the water and are former SAS.”

Val didn’t like this. The odds were horrible, and if Watchdog were here he’d likely tell them just how bad they were. But if Duchess said it was the only option, then she trusted her. “Duchess, is this the best plan?”

She folded her arms and nodded. “Yes.”

“So what do we do while you guys swim into the great beyond? We sit with our dicks in our hands?”

Hurricane didn’t like being side-lined but he had no choice and neither did she.

“You’ll be on this boat here, drawing Hansen and his team away from the back of the island. Val, I want you, Scout, and Monty on this boat further out on the north end of the island waiting for us. We might need the dogs in the water if Bás is unable to swim or we need a distraction.”

She knew what he was asking and it broke her heart to think of her boys being bait for two killer whales, but she nodded anyway. “Okay. Will you try and rescue all of the prisoners?”

“We’ll try. Bás is our focus, but yes. Our intent is to get everyone off the island before we blow it.”

“Make sure that bastard is locked down so he dies a slow death.”

Val reached for Lotus and squeezed her hand in support.

Jack nodded. “We will.”

Duchess looked around at each of them. “You all in agreement?”

A chorus of ‘yes’ filled the room.

“Okay. Well, as soon as Zack and Smithy land we’re a go.”

Duchess went on to detail the plan but Val was too busy thinking of Bás to pay attention, except for where she’d be needed. As the day drew on, and Zack and Smithy arrived, the mood in the house changed. The energy became charged the way it always did before a mission but this one was missing the key component of Bás.

“Hey, you hanging in there?” Rafe draped an arm over her shoulder, resting his chin on her head.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“I’ve asked to be with you on the boat.”

She glanced up with a half smile. “You did?”

“You didn’t think I’d let you do this alone, did you?”

“I guess not, but you have Nix to worry about now. I don’t want you taking any risks.”

Rafe frowned, his face troubled. “Val, just because I have Nix doesn’t make you any less important to me. You’re my sister. I love you and I’ll always be here when you need me.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Because I feel like you don’t.”

“I guess we’ve just grown apart a little and that’s fine. Nix is your future and that’s how it should be.”

“Val, Nix is my future, that’s true but that doesn’t make you my past. You’re as much a part of my life now as you ever were, and honestly, I’m gonna need you now more than ever.”

She looked up in alarm. “Oh God. Is something wrong?” His face had a wide smile and she felt hope unfurl in her belly. “Is she…? Are you?”

He nodded. “Yep, we found out last week. Nix is pregnant. So you see, I’m going to need my sister, and my kid is going to need his or her awesome aunt.”

Val threw her arms around her brother and buried her head in his shoulder. Pure joy pulled her from the fog of darkness just when she’d needed it most. “Oh, I’m so thrilled for you both.”

“Me too, but also terrified.”