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Chapter Fifty-nine
Rylee couldn’t believe it when she heard Mari Rae on the phone, her tearful relief in finding that Rylee was fine.
“Where the hell are you, kiddo? You sound so close.” Rylee wanted to change the subject. Hearing Mari saying over and over that she couldn’t bear to lose her, that she’d been so afraid when she couldn’t contact her, it all became too much. Such raw emotion forced feelings to surface that Rylee couldn’t deal with – not while she was on a job.
“I can’t talk with you now, Mari. Look, I’m sorry you were scared. But everything is wonderful. I’m sailing the ocean blue and it’s been a real hoot. Sis, I’ll call you back later, I promise. Stop worrying.”
“You don’t have to call me back, Rylee.”
“What do you mean? Of course, I can.”
“No, you really don’t have to.”
Rylee sensed a strangeness. For some reason her gaze flew to the entrance of the restaurant. There stood Mari, her phone in her hand, a smile lighting her gorgeous tear-filled face.
What the fuck was happening? She’d finally lost her marbles. Although impossible, she’d swear she saw her little sister walking towards her. Okay, her shrink needed to prescribe some anti-whatever pills ‘cause she’d just hit a freakin’ wall.
She blinked.
Mari came closer.
Rising to meet the hug waiting to engulf her, she swung her sister into the chair furthest away from suddenly fidgety Larry and threw Carl a look that spoke volumes – help being the major component.
“You can’t be here, Mari.”
“Yet here I am. I just made it onboard in Grenada, then immediately got so damn seasick, I couldn’t get out of bed until the pills kicked in a little while ago.”
“Why in the fucking world would you do this? You know I’m on a job.”
“I know, but Duke said you were fine, everything was working out exactly as you planned, and the trip was almost over. I figured for these last few days, we could be together some of the time.”
All Rylee heard was the name Duke. “You mean Harrison? My boss?”
“Yes. We’ve met. I think he’s the one, Rylee. I’m mad about him.”
“And I’m furious with him, so that makes two of us. What the hell was he thinking, putting you in danger?”
“But you said yourself, there is no danger.”
Suddenly, Rylee spotted the weapon that she’d been aware of pointing in her direction move. Where the hell was Jake? And where was Eve?
She’d been so busy with her sister she hadn’t noticed he hadn’t returned. Something was going on. Chrissakes, she had to keep her attention on this situation.
Scanning the restaurant, she saw Carl in discussion with a couple of passengers who wanted a table. He’d be no help. Then she turned to Larry and noticed his agitation had ramped up. He glared at her and motioned her to sit, obviously angry. His head was held at an angle of someone paying attention to something only they could hear. Then she knew Jake must be in trouble.
“Mari stop talking and listen to me. I want you to leave right now, just get up and walk to where you see Carl by the door. Tell him to go and check on Jake.”
“Why? You’re scaring me.”
“Just do it.” Rylee spit the words across the table and watched her sister’s face pale. But she stood up, and before Rylee knew what she intended, she leaned over her and whispered, “That man has a gun.”
“Go now, Mari, or I swear, I’ll beat the shit out of you when I get you alone. Do you understand?” Fear motivated her harsh tone. She gave Mari a gentle shove.
Rather than going in the direction she was told to go, Mari swung to Larry, and lifting her heavy bag, she let him have it. Unfortunately, his finger pressed the trigger and a bullet found its way into Mari’s leg. Shock filled her face and she slumped to the floor.
Rylee, horrified at the turn of events, incensed beyond reason, scrambled over to attack the man who now stood with his gun pointed at the woman screaming, writhing below him.
