by Laura Acton
As he waited, Mike thought about his call to Dom early this morning. He had taken care of the Harriet issue, so once Mike returned the unit to Kandahar, he would meet with Dom to deal with Panin. His mind conjured up several scenarios of things he would like to do to Savelievich once he got a hold of him. Top of his list, subject Panin to the same degrading, dehumanizing things the rat bastard did to many people. The second option would be to fly over the Caspian Sea and kick his ass out of the aircraft over the middle of the water to become food for the fishes.
Mike became alert when Blaze prepared to jump into the water. He couldn’t dive after Blaze if he got into trouble—he needed to stay with the plane. He sent a silent prayer they all made it out of this alive.
Minnow – Main Deck – Stern
Brody held tightly to Dan and leaned close. “You got this. Just think of it as rappelling across a gorge. Remember? Like we did in training. Only the river running at the bottom of the gorge.”
Dan paled, and his grip on Brody never lessened. He tried valiantly to concentrate on the fact he would be off the boat and away from open water soon. He shook like a leaf, from both his weakened state and phobia.
Brody checked Dan’s lifejacket for the tenth time. To be honest, he was scared to death of sending Dan across in his current state. He was so frightened for Dan that he forgot his aerophobia. Well, not entirely forgotten, but there would be time for that once they were in the air. Until then he focused on Danny’s requirements.
After securing the nylon ropes, Blaze turned to his men in the open saloon at the stern. To reduce Brody’s anxiety for Blondie, he would demonstrate things were stable before sending Blondie. “After I make it to Mike and secure the rigging, first across will be Patch. Blondie next. Anastasia, you’ll be after them, followed by Brody, and Mason will bring up the rear.”
Brody suggested, “I can be last.” He desired to delay boarding as long as possible as his apprehension of flying increased.
Understanding Brody’s unease drove his offer, and Blondie would typically be the one to distract Brody but was in no condition to do so at the moment, he said, “Nope, Mason’s last. If Mason runs into trouble, I’ll need your strength to assist in reeling him in.” He grinned and tried to inject a bit of humor, “It’ll be like catching a killer whale.”
Brody chuckled at Blaze’s comment and nodded.
Anastasia smiled at the jest but kept her attention on checking that both lines were secure on Blaze as she said, “You flounder out there, we’ll haul you back, but I think you’re more like a barracuda—fearsome in appearance and ferocious in behavior.” Once satisfied, she added. “I wish you would allow me to swim over. I’m an excellent swimmer.”
“As I said earlier, Anastasia, not a risk I’m willing to take. Hauling Blondie and Patch into the seaplane requires someone with more upper body strength than you possess,” Blaze said bluntly and truthfully as he rechecked his lines.
“What a sexist comment,” Anastasia joked.
Blaze grinned. They went round and round on this point early this morning when he, Mason, and Anastasia discussed a plan. Anastasia might be the best swimmer, but she didn’t possess the strength necessary if things went wrong and the line snapped. He was not about to risk anyone’s life—they were too close to making it safely back. “Truth though, little guppy. You make sure our guys are rigged in tight. I’m counting on you.”
She nodded. Blaze was right and had made the right choices for everyone’s safety. As an honorary member of Blaze’s unit now, Anastasia would do her part and ensure Patch and Dan were locked in properly on this side and leave the brute strength to the guys.
Brody re-positioned Dan’s hand to the metal railing and gave him a reassuring look. “Hold on here so you stay safe. I gotta grab Blaze’s line.”
Dan nodded, and his death grip didn’t go unnoticed by Blaze.
“Hang tight, kid. We’ll have you on terra firma soon,” Blaze said as he turned and nodded to Brody who firmly gripped his safety rope. He smoothly dove into the sea aware if he required assistance, Brody would take action.
Brody kept vigilant eyes on Blaze and played out the line as his CO sliced through the churning swells. He noted Blaze’s progress was slow as the water battered him relentlessly. Part of him wished he was the one making the swim, but Danny needed him close, and he promised not to leave him … a promised Blaze allowed him to keep. Several minutes later, Brody breathed a sigh of relief as Blaze approached the seaplane. He called out to the others, “Blaze is almost there. Anastasia, put Patch’s backpack on.”
Seaplane
By the time Blaze made it to the plane he was digging deep for strength. He grabbed the rappelling rope Mike threw to him and wrapped it around his wrist several times. Loathed to admit, but his get-up-and-go got-up-and-left, his muscles so zapped Mike more or less pulled him into the aircraft. Blaze chalked it up to several days consuming only water. He shuddered to think how Blondie or Patch would fare if they had to swim.
Mike untied the lines from Blaze. “Rest. Let me rig this.”
Blaze gazed at the bruising on Mike’s face. “You alright?
“Yeah. Little sore, but in better shape than you guys. Brought you a care package. Raided the vending machine in the pilot lounge before I left. Sodas, energy drinks, chips, candy bars, peanuts, oh, and a couple of bags of beef jerky. It’s in the back. Go grab something … you need the energy.”
Agreeing, Blaze moved to the back as he said, “Thanks, we certainly could use something to eat. Patch is first. We have about thirty minutes to get them all on board before the yacht sinks.”
“Doable.” Mike finished attaching the rigging and signaled Brody he was prepared for them to send Patch.
Blaze scarfed down two packages of peanuts and an energy drink before returning to the opening and gripped the secondary line they would use to pull them over. Patch would be attached to two ropes also so Brody could draw it back to the Minnow and connect it to Blondie next. They would repeat the process to bring everyone over.
Minnow – Main Deck – Stern
Anastasia and Brody moved Patch outside, hooked his carabiner to the primary line, and fastened the pulley rope to him. Brody glanced back at Dan to make sure his grasp on the railing with both hands was still secure before turning his attention to Patch. “Ready?”
“Been ready for—” Patch started heaving again.
Brody waited until Patch finished and squeezed his shoulder as Patch gave him a thumbs-up and weak smile. Brody assisted Patch over the gunwale. Anastasia signaled Blaze and Mike, and they began to haul Patch across. The up and down motion of the two crafts made for a wild ride for him. They all heard him retching … poor guy was so seasick.
Dan eyes squeezed shut and sweat poured off him as his body continued to shake. His knuckles turned ghostly white as he held on to his inanimate lifeline. He endeavored to imagine the gorge they crossed in training, but the constant pitch and yaw kept knocking the picture out, turning everything pitch black and caused his breathing to become ragged.
“Mind over matter,” Dan whispered to himself. “Suck it up. You can do this, Broderick. Your brothers won’t let you drown. This is not a drunken hazing, and you are not tied up in a sleeping bag. Brody promised you won’t drown again.” Dan realized he spoke out loud and clamped his mouth shut.
Dan’s eyes shot open when Mason’s voice called out, “Brody, I need your help. I don’t fit into the crawl space to remove the last two clamps. Thought about punching a hole in the hull, but can’t do that, would look suspicious if they find the wreck.”
Mason did not give any indication he overheard Blondie, but he had. The kid’s terror now made some sense, though he wondered exactly what occurred. Instead, he crouched and double-checked Blondie’s life jacket. “All set. A piece of cake. We’ll be eating something more than broth soon. Bet you’re pretty tired of broth.”
Dan nodded. “Yeah, a thick steak sounds good right about now.”
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br /> Grinning Mason nodded. “Baked potatoes with bacon and cheese.”
Blowing out a breath, Dan said, “I might even go for haggis at this point.”
Mason burst out laughing as Brody reappeared. “Blondie wants haggis.”
“Gross.” Brody screwed up his face as he reached for Dan’s hands. “Time to go. Mason, help me latch him in, and when he is on his way, I’ll help you finish sinking the ship.”
Dan allowed them to mostly carry him outside, his legs too rubbery to hold his weight. Anastasia finished hauling the lines back to them as Mason held Blondie and Brody secured the ropes to him.
Right before he and Mason lifted Dan over the rail, Brody whispered in Dan’s ear. “You got this.”
Dan couldn’t breathe. His heart pounded so hard it hurt. His grasp on Brody’s life vest was rock solid, and he didn’t want to release his hold.
Mason noted terror in Blondie’s eyes. He was so weakened by the poison and having inadequate nutrition for five days. Blondie traversing between the crafts scared the crap out of him. Blondie would not be strong enough to swim for long if the rigging failed. Holding Blondie steady, Mason attempted to encourage him. “We got you, Sunshine. You did well. Let us do all the work. All you have to do is enjoy the ride.”
Brody forcefully pried Dan’s hands from his lifejacket and transferred his death grip to the line. “Hold on, don’t let go. Remember, I need you on the flight.”
Dan managed a slight nod as he hung over the roiling sea. He made the mistake of glancing down, and his heart about exploded from his chest. He locked gazes with Brody seeking reassurance.
Anastasia signaled Blaze.
Over the Caspian Sea
As Mason’s and Brody’s hands left him and Dan bobbed up and down over the sea, his eyes tracked Brody as he back away, wishing Brody could stay on deck and maintain eye contact with him. However, he realized Mason required his help. When Brody reluctantly turned, Dan switched his gaze to Anastasia. Her soft smile is what he endeavored to focus on as his rigid body started its trip across the expanse.
He made it only a few feet from the Minnow when an unexpected rogue swell caused the yacht to lurch madly. Dan’s eye went wide with horror as Anastasia lost her footing and fell forward. His mind tried to push away the image of her toppling overboard and the boat striking her on the back as it came down from the wave. Anastasia bobbed below him, face down in the water.
Dan didn’t think—he reacted. He unlatched the carabiner from the primary line, and his body dropped into the churning sea. The rush of cold water as it swallowed him whole sent him into a panic as he scissor-kicked. His head broke the surface, and he was within arm’s length of Anastasia. Dan blindly reached out, seized her vest, and flipped Anastasia on her back.
As he drew her to him, Dan wrapped his arms around her and held on with ferocity as panic overwhelmed him. The waves crashed over his head repeatedly. Unaware of the shouts from both crafts, or that they were being dragged through the turbulent water towards the plane, Dan’s mind clouded, transporting him from the Caspian Sea to Grand Lake four years ago.
I can’t let go or else Warren and I will drown. Lost in the past, Dan desperately clung to his live floatation device. Unintelligible sounds from familiar voices allowed discrepancies of the two worlds to creep in. How can I hold on to Warren if I’m tied in a sleeping bag?
A soft female groan brought him back to the present. Not Warren … Anastasia. Increasing his embrace, Dan refused to let Anastasia experience a terrifying drowning as he had. He screamed at the top of his lungs, “Brody, help me!”
Dan coughed after swallowing a mouthful of water. His body trembled with the effort required to maintain his hold. New fear … the fear of losing the woman who helped him when he needed it the most renewed his strength. I will not fail her! My brothers will not let us drown.
Seaplane
Blaze bellowed for Mason and Brody as he watched in disbelief when Anastasia went overboard. Their shock increased when Blondie released his carabiner and plunged into the sea. Mike and he went into action and frantically pulled the line after Blondie grabbed Anastasia.
Minnow – Main Deck – Stern
Mason seized Brody to prevent him from jumping in when they reached the deck after hearing Blaze’s shouts that Anastasia went overboard and Blondie’s yell for help. He was almost too late to stop Brody, but his roar paused Brody long enough for him to physically restrain him.
“Stop! Blondie’s got her. You’re not tied to anything. It’s suicide to jump regardless of how well you swim. Blaze and Mike have them both,” Mason said as his heart stampeded. Brody’s tension was palpable and matched his own, so he continued to hold tight, afraid Brody still might leap.
Old images of a Dan’s cold, gray face flashed in Brody’s mind. He leaned over the gunwale and retched at the thought of Dan drowning again. Mason’s stout arms kept him from falling overboard as he lost the contents of his stomach—only bile and water came up. He came too close to losing Dan again.
Brody’s heart pounded against his ribs, each beat surging blood through his ears preventing him from hearing anything. His eyes remained riveted on Danny. My brother amazes me yet again. He safeguarded Anastasia even though he is deathly afraid of drowning. The tautness started to ebb away as Mike and Blaze hauled Dan and Anastasia into the seaplane.
Mason grinned as he released Brody. “Well don’t that beat all. Weak as a newborn kitten and Blondie saves the day again.”
Brody’s hands shook as he hauled the secondary line back to them. “Yeah, Danny excels at protecting others regardless of the risks to himself. I think it’s in his blood.”
Mason nodded. “Blondie possesses the courage of a fìor ghàidhealtachd laoch.”
“What’s that?”
Grinning, Mason said, “A true highland warrior.”
Promises Kept
64
June 3
Seaplane – 1100 Hours
With Mike’s help, Blaze hauled Blondie and Anastasia inside. Blondie’s grip on her was rock solid, and he didn’t appear to be quite with them as he maintained his hold. “Let go now. We got you. You are on the plane. Blondie, release Anastasia.” His calm words had no effect. “Release your hold, soldier!” Blaze barked in his command voice to break through the kid’s panic.
Dan turned his eyes to Blaze at the order. He wanted to comply … something deep within him insisted he obey, but he couldn’t. Not until he was assured they were out of the water.
Cupping Blondie’s face, Blaze drew it towards his to direct his focus and lowered his volume, “Son, you are both safe now. You did not drown. Let Mike take Anastasia so he can check her.”
Unlocking his arms, Dan allowed Mike to lift Anastasia and carry her to a long bench seat in the back. His hand reached for Blaze’s, and his voice came out unsteady, “I don’t want to drown again.”
“I promise you won’t. Not on my watch, son.” Blaze gripped Blondie’s lifejacket with his free hand and tugged him further inside. After positioning Blondie across from Patch and next to Anastasia, Blaze unhooked the safety rope and transferred Blondie’s human lifeline to Anastasia’s hand. “How is she?” Blaze queried Mike.
“Likely concussed with the lump on her head, but other than that she is alright.” Mike covered both with blankets. “Sorry, you’re going to be wet for a bit. We need to pull Brody and Mason over and get in the air first.”
Before both men could resume their positions at the hatch, Anastasia’s eyes fluttered open. Disoriented at first, her head aching badly, she found four concerned faces staring at her. “What happened?”
Blaze grinned. “You took a swim. Blondie here decided to join you.”
“Dan saved your life,” Mike added as he moved toward the door to check if Brody was ready to cross.
Her gaze focused on Dan. “Thanks.”
“Mike brought food.” Blaze set the bag with the items near Anastasia before he stood and returned to the front
.
Dan’s stomach growled as he eyed the beef jerky. His hopes were dashed when Patch said, “Water or non-caffeinated soda only. Nothing solid until Doctor Pastore gives his permission.”
Wincing as she moved, her head pounding viciously, Anastasia removed a ginger ale for Dan. She held it with one hand as he unscrewed the lid with his free hand. She would not begrudge him his death grip on her other hand. “Would you like something, Patch?”
“Not yet … maybe after we’re in the air. What about you?”
She hated to eat in front of Dan, but days without food made her hungry.
Dan witnessed her hesitation as Patch urged her to consume one of the snacks. His mind started to put things together. Brody never left him in the cabin, he continually said he was not hungry, and made him drink his cup of broth. He stared at Anastasia. “When did you last eat?”
Anastasia glanced away, not wanting to answer or lie. Patch solved her dilemma as he said, “Not since before we left the abbey.”
“Why?” Dan gaped at her.
“The provisions were missing from the boat. We only had broth, and you and Patch needed it most.” Anastasia reached in and pulled out a chocolate bar. Using her teeth, she tore open the packaging.
Dan closed his eyes as he realized the lengths to which his brothers and Anastasia went safeguard him. He whispered, “Thanks.”
Dropping the bar into her lap, Anastasia caressed Dan’s cheek. “Nothing to thank me for. Without you, I’d be dead now.”
Commotion at the opening caused all three to turn their eyes to the door. Brody unlatched and crawled to the back of the aircraft. After shrugging off his and Dan’s packs, he sat on the opposite side of Danny and gripped his hand as he blew out a ragged breath. “You scared the hell out of me.”