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With an M9 in my hand, my first destination is the engine room. Aidan might’ve hidden her there. But the room is clear.
I head below decks with urgency. My blood curdles when I notice Amber-Rose’s battered smartwatch in one of the staterooms. But just like the engine room, there’s nobody here. I think the fucker must’ve hidden her somewhere outside this boat.
Then a scream.
“Amber-Rose!” I dash outside.
“Rob!” She’s close to the Peregrine, propelling herself awkwardly in the water, trying to get away from Aidan—who’s gaining on her fast.
I aim my gun. “Fuck!” He’s way too close to her. In fact, he’s hugging her now—and he is about to jump onto The Peregrine!
I stand on the Santa Sofia’s stern, my M9 following him. It’s too risky to shoot while he’s still moving frantically, shielded by her, so I wait for him to emerge on the deck of The P. I know he’ll show off what he thinks is his possession.
Aidan stands tall, his arm clamping Amber-Rose’s neck, knife pointed right under her jaw. His other arm is tucked behind her, stifling her movements. With how close he’s holding her, she appears to be glued to him.
My whole body hurts hearing and seeing her wheezing. It looks like her hands are tied behind her back. That’s why she was swimming awkwardly. I’ve got to ignore her now, for her sake.
“Hello, Robson Hartley.”
This is the second time I see his face up close, and it will be the last time. The son of a bitch may think he can hide behind Amber-Rose, but he doesn’t know what I’m capable of. I promised I would kill for her, and I will.
I only have one chance.
I saved several lives with just one chance in my SEAL days. Out of all the chances I’ve had in my lifetime, this is the only one that counts. Because it’s Amber-Rose, the woman I love, and no one can ever replace her.
“Goodbye, Aidan,” I say, my lips curling in disgust when saying his name. I don’t even bother to entertain him and beg him to let her go. I aim, and I shoot. There’s a gap between her cheek and his elbow. I swear I can see the bullet spinning into that gap, piercing his neck and most likely severing his spinal cord.
The knife drops onto the deck, but Aidan falls into the water, taking Amber-Rose with him. Watching the way he plunges, and the way she twists helplessly from the tugging force, I catch a glimpse of his last act to claim her. Heisglued to her. He’s attached his hand to hers!
“No!”
Jumping onto The P, I turn on all her exterior lights—a couple of which are powerful spotlights, pointing forward and down into the depths of the water. None of them have been tested before in this environment. One fuse could blow up the vessel, and me. But it’s a risk I have to take.
The Peregrine delivers. Soon the ocean lights up like a stage.
Amber-Rose is going straight down with no sign of stopping, pulled by the dead weight of Aidan Rolland.
After gulping as much air as possible in one inhale, I torpedo into the water to catch her.
The dead fucker has handcuffed himself to her, and he’s become a formidable load to counter. If I keep hauling Amber-Rose up, I’ll severely injure her wrist, or even tear her hand off.
Blood is still oozing out of a hole in the base of Aidan’s neck. His eyes stare blankly, mouth gaping like a man who died declaring his last confession.
On the other hand, Amber-Rose is still fighting her way up. I have no other choice— I hug the lifeless body of my enemy. Repulsion washes over me, but I keep pushing him up, helping Amber-Rose propel herself to the surface.
I push, and I push. My bruised shoulder is shouting at me to let go of the weight I’m sustaining. But nothing else is important. Amber-Rose needs to breathe!
We reach the surface. Although she tries to hide it, I know she’s fighting enormous pain. Now I’m supporting Aidan’s corpse, using him as a pontoon to keep her afloat.
“Are you okay?” I pant as I push us toward The P.
She wheezes, but she nods. She might be a petite girl, but I have to say she’s also a freak. She’s been underwater for such a long time, hands tied behind her back, yet she’s still aware of what’s around her. I don’t even want to think about what torture Aidan subjected her to.
My muscles are cramping up, but I maneuver myself so I support Aidan’s body high enough, allowing my girl to roll herself onto The Peregrine’s unfenced deck.
But she’s still attached to the big mass. I need to do something about it, fast. An object catches my attention. Aidan’s knife on the deck.
The waves push us away from The P, dragging Aidan’s body and tugging Amber-Rose with it, but I hold her.
