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I looked up and caught Graham’s eye as he awoke—the man who’d always been sweet, who often understood me, and who had been so completely honest.
The boat slowed to a stop until it bobbed upon the surface, rising and descending with each wave.
I tried to wipe my tears, forcing my eyes to dry and my body to return to my control.
When Cael looked back at me, I saw no victory in his eyes, and his typical smug smile was nonexistent. He came back to the stern where I sat on the hard deck. “Up,” he said, his voice drained of emotion.
With no other choice, I stood, casting a glance at the radio on his belt.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, clicking it into the lock and releasing my handcuffs. Then he pointed to the shore. “Go.”
The island already looked like a prison, especially if I’d be alone.
“What about Graham?” I asked. “Where are you taking him?”
Cael’s eyes were cold and unfeeling. “Some other island.”
“You just killed my father,” I said bitterly. “The least you can do is leave us on the same island.”
“I didn’t want to kill him.” Cael’s eyes shifted. “He forced my hand.”
I faced Cael, wanting to rip him apart, but I restrained myself, not for his good, but for mine. I eyed the radio in his belt again, waiting for the right moment.
“Now get out,” said Cael, pointing to the water.
I looked at the island, wondering if there would be enough resources to survive here. And even if we could, what kind of hell would it be?
I turned back to Cael, and in one motion, I shoved him hard, knocking him into the driver’s seat.
He swore, immediately striking back. “I said get out!” he yelled, his voice raw and wild.
I fought back, grasping toward his belt for his pistol, but it wouldn’t come free from its holster. Instead, I reached for his pocket to grab the key to the handcuffs. I pulled it out and shoved Cael hard.
He fell over the side of the boat and splashed into the water.
I ran to Graham, using the key to release his handcuffs.
“Come on!” I shouted. “Let’s go!”
Cael surfaced with a gasp, scrambling for the boat.
I darted back to the helm, sitting in the driver’s seat. I pressed my foot to the lever on the right, as Cait had done, but nothing happened. Again, I tried, but with no luck. I pressed all the buttons and turned the helm, desperately trying to find a way to make it move before Cael got back in.
A dripping hand reached over the side of the boat and Cael pulled himself back up swiftly.
I lunged, reaching for the radio in his belt while Graham went for his arms.
But Cael was too fast. He jumped up, knocking us back as he took his shiny black pistol from his belt.
If we stayed, I was sure at least one of us would suffer the same fate as my father, so without another thought, I took Graham’s hand and jumped.
Our heads went under the cold water as we landed, my heavy dress weighing me down. My wig fell off, lost to the waves.
We broke the surface just as the boat began to whir, water bubbling from its stern as the vessel shot forward, heading back out to the open ocean at lightning speed.
We swam until our feet hit the sandy sea floor and we could stand.
Graham still coughed water from his lungs. “We made it,” he finally managed to say.
