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I’m not going to waste time scrambling for a yacht in San Diego to catch him. I’m backing myself to arrive in Newport in time. And once I’m on The P, no fucking boat will have a chance to escape. I will catch that son of a bitch.I will take Amber-Rose back.
“Rob, we’re still fitting stuff for our night testing. We haven’t put The Peregrine in the water for months. And we’re talking about salt water here, an open ocean.”
Saltwater will give The P more speed, because she won’t sink as much as she does in freshwater. But the swell in the Pacific Ocean is definitely incomparable to any lake in the world.
“Just do it, Clay.”
Suddenly Amber-Rose’s location update stops. I slap the dashboard.
“What is it, Rob?” Clay says, still on the line.
“I’ve lost her. She said her battery was low, but it could be just because she’s out of range,” I sigh. “Clay, I’m going to send you coordinates, the last spot Amber-Rose’s watch shared with me. Find out which boat it is, and track it!”
“I’ll get Rocky to do it. He’s at Newport, and we can use the VesselScope.” The VesselScope is Hartley’s own software that can track every goddamn thing that floats on water—anywhere on earth.
“We’ll find her, Rob.”
With Clay by my side, we will.
33
AMBER
My hands are still tied, and my face is covered with some kind of cotton bag. I don’t know where I am, but I sure hope Rob does. IthinkI finally managed to get Siri to access the shortcut to my share location app—moments after Aidan had transferred me from the trunk of his car to what I’m sure is a boat.
After being rolled around and having to resist puking, the boat comes to a halt. Someone approaches me.
“Welcome aboard the Santa Sofia.” It’s Aidan, and he removes the bag from my face.
Shivering, I find myself sitting up on the bed inside a stateroom, under the deck. We must be alone on the boat—otherwise we’d have kept moving.
Aidan studies my face. “My God! You’re scared, aren’t you?” He doesn’t have to look at me that close. One glance and anyone would know I’m paralyzed with fright.
I’m shaking so much, I almost bite my own lips. I’ve had so many nightmares about Aidan and boats, and I can’t believe they’re unfolding in front of me. Whatever progress I achieved with Rob on his boat at Avila Beach has hit a pause.
He rubs my arm. “I’m here, my love. Why are you afraid? We used to have a great time exploring the water. This will be the best adventure we’ll ever have together.” He taps my cheek. “Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.”
He leaves, and soon we’re moving again.
My boldness at Lake Geneva was a try-or-die reflex. At the time, I didn’t know what awaited me. The surgeries, the anxiety, and the nightmares that followed sometimes made me wish I’d been dead.
But I was alone then.
I have Rob now. If Aidan is going to recreate that night at Lake Geneva, I’m going to repeat what I did, too. There’s no way I’m going to let him claim me again!
Fear can be debilitating, but it can also fuel the unthinkable.
Scooting myself to the edge of the bed, I slowly put my feet on the floor and tiptoe toward the door. I turn around so the hands behind my back can reach the handle. There’s no lock, and I easily exit the room.
I make my way up the steps, into the main cabin. I scan my surroundings. It looks like the helm is upstairs, and I’m pretty certain now that there’s no one else here.
Aidan joins me. I cower, but he doesn’t care that I’m out and about.
“What do you think?” His eyes roam around the cabin.
“You’re going to take me to Mexico?”
“Everyone would think that, wouldn’t they? No, no. We’re going further.”
