by Mark Stone
“That wasn’t you, you sick son of a bitch!” I said. “You’re not me. You’re some lunatic who is about to face justice and pay for everything he’s done.”
“I’m Dillon Storm!” he screamed. “And soon, I’m going to be the only one!”
“We’ll see about that,” I said, still eyeing my firearm.
“You’re going to die,” he said, swinging at me with that damn pipe. I flung myself back, tucking and trying to roll on the ground and get closer to my gun. As I did, though, Theo kicked me hard in the face. My broken nose screamed, and blood spurted all over the place. I was pushed back against the wall.
“You can’t be on St. George Island!” he yelled, lifting the pipe up at me, his eyes wide and his teeth bared and grinding together. “There can only be one Dillon Storm on St. George Island! I’m going to have it, Dillon! I’m going to have a good life for once! I’m going to have everything! I’m not going to come in second to anyone! Not my brother, and not you!”
I was dizzy, seeing stars as Theo lifted the pipe higher. I knew he was going to bring it down hard on me, perhaps even crack my skull.
As he started to bring it down, though, the boat began to move…quickly.
The force pressed me hard against the back wall but that’s not all it did. It sent Theo stumbling toward me, the pipe still in his hands. I could see the rage in his eyes, the absolute disconnect from reality. He thought that, if he was going to get to live, then I had to die. That was all there was to it for him.
That wasn’t all the force did, though. That stroke of luck, the fact that the accelerator always stuck on this boat, gave me a true gift. My gun slid toward me, moving right into my good hand like some sort of early Christmas present.
Theo gathered himself, his crazy eyes refocusing on me as he lifted the pipe again, ready to strike me dead with it.
“I’m Dillon Storm now!” He screamed.
“In that case, I really hate to do this to myself,” I said under my breath, lifting the gun and firing it right into the man’s shoulder.
He flew backward, stumbling and falling onto the floor. I looked over at Charlotte, who was still unconscious, and then grabbed the wall and steadied myself. Looking down at the man, I heard him muttering something to himself.
“I’m Dillon Storm,” he said. “I’m Dillon Storm..I’m…I’m…”
“You’re going to jail,” I said. “That’s what you’re doing.”
Pulling my cuffs off of my waist, I secured Theo to the wall, using the same railing he used to keep Charlotte where she was but keeping him far enough away from her that he wouldn’t be able to hurt her if, by some miracle, his strength returned.
Then, with a prayer in my heart, I ran to Charlotte. Checking her pulse, I saw that she was alive. Hell, she even looked unharmed. Thank God, This nightmare was over. Well…almost.
Once that had been done, I rushed to the surface level. Running to the throttles, I eased them back, bringing The New Day Surprise to a merciful and peaceful stop.
Up ahead, I saw Boomer coming toward me. I shot him a thumbs up and then melted to the hull, almost too exhausted to move. Still, I was strangely satisfied.
37
“This is a hell of a party, Dil,” Boomer said, raising a glass to me from across our usual table at Rocco’s. The entire place was lit up today, all in celebration of Charlotte’s safe return home. Music was playing, drinks were flowing, and I was surrounded by nearly all of the people I cared about in the world. Nothing could be better.
“Don’t give me too much credit,” I answered, taking a swig of beer. “This was planned by the woman herself.” I shook my head. “You know no one does a party like Charlotte.”
“I was giving you credit for the rest of it, actually,” Boomer said, his voice going down an octave to let me know how serious he was. “You did some fine police work in finding her. I’m not sure I’d have been able to do it.”
“You were too close to the situation,” I answered. “I know I might have lost my mind a little in regards to Charlotte being missing, but Theo was playing the precinct like a drum. You are so close to the situation that you should be able to tell me what it had for breakfast. I had a little bit of perspective. That’s all.”
“That’s just like you, Dillon,” Rebecca said, resting her head on my shoulder. “You never give yourself enough credit.”
“Credit is all well and good, but I don’t need it. Seeing the people I care about well, safe, and happy is all I need.” I took a deep breath. “Speaking of that, any word from Jack Lacey?”
“He’s recovering,” Boomer said intently. “It won’t be an easy road, but he’ll make it, and he’s got a job here when he’s ready for it, should he decide to take it.”
“Something tells me he’s not going to want to be pinned down like that,” I said. “Especially after what happened to him.”
“I talked to him the other day,” Boomer answered. “After you found Charlotte. He said he didn’t regret anything, said he was a military man and he’d seen worse than this.” A smile spread across Boomer’s face. “He also said he wouldn’t mind it if you showed your ugly face in the hospital every once in a while. His words, not mine.”
“They sound like his words,” I answered, shaking my head.
My eyes fell on Charlotte, who was filling Isaac’s glass with soda and ruffling her son’s hair. He hated it, of course, but it warmed my heart to see it happen.
“Would you excuse me?” I asked, kissing my wife as I shrugged her away and started over to Charlotte. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”
Charlotte smiled at me as I walked toward her, opening a beer and setting it in front of a barstool like an invitation.
“Is that my payment?” I asked, grabbing up the beer and bringing it to my lips as I sat down on the stool.
“Doesn’t seem like nearly enough, but it’s all I’ve got to offer,” she answered. Her voice was such a welcome thing. I thought I would never hear it again. Now that I knew she was safe, I could rest. I could breath. I could be happy.
“That’s not nearly all you have to offer,” I answered, setting the drink down. “How are you feeling?”
“Thankful,” she answered. “Thankful and happy. I’m also more than a little tired.”
“I can imagine,” I answered, smiling at her.
“I wanted to say thank you,” she said. “And not just for saving my life. I know you’d tell me that was just part of your job.”
“It is,” I answered.
“I’m talking about the things that aren’t your job,” she said. “I’m talking about what you did for Isaac, about what you were willing to do for Isaac. Justin told me how hard you fought, how you were willing to take him on fulltime if need be.”
“He’s my family,” I answered. “Nothing is more important than that. Besides, I couldn’t let him go live with Peter, for God’s sake.”
“About that,” Charlotte said, shuffling nervously. “I know you’re not going to like it, but I’ve decided to let Peter spend some time around Isaac.”
“Are you serious?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat.
“It’s not like he’s going to go live with him, and I’m not even sure how much Isaac would want it, but Peter seems genuine, and I had a lot of time to think while being held captive. I have some regrets in my life, Dilly. I’ve done things I shouldn’t have, but if I let my own personal feelings get in the way of a relationship my son might be able to have with his father, that’s something I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself for.” She nodded. “I’m not sure if it’ll do any good. I mean, Peter has a lot of changing to do, but I owe it to my son to give it a try, albeit a hesitant one.”
I sighed. “You know I don’t like this,” I said.
“I know that,” she said.
“You also know that I’d never tell you how to raise that kid,” I added. “If you think this is for the best, then I’m sure you have a point. But you tell my half-brother that I�
�m going to be watching him like a hawk. One wrong move with Isaac, and he’s going to have to answer to me.”
She smiled at me and even wiped a happy tear away from her cheek. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, Dilly.”
I smiled again, shot Charlotte a wink and headed back to my table. Boomer was gone, talking to other people at the party, by the time I got back. That didn’t matter to me. I slid into the booth, wrapping my arms around my wife’s shoulder and letting her snuggle up next to me.
“I have something to tell you, Dillon,” Rebecca said, her head against my chest.
“What’s that, sweetheart?” I asked, at peace for the first time in a long time.
“When Charlotte was gone, we talked about the idea of taking Isaac in permanently,” she said.
“I remember,” I answered. “And I want you to know how fantastic it was of you to be okay with that. It was amazing.”
“It wasn’t just a selfless act, Dillon,” she said. I felt her shuffle a little against me. “I’ve been thinking, and the truth of the matter is, I want one.”
“You want one of what?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“One of them,” she said. “I want an Isaac or a Julia or a Wendy or a Richard or a whoever. I just want one, and I want it with you.” She looked up at me. “I think it’s time we start trying to have a baby.”
Those words met my ears like the sun shining against the gulf. The whole world lit up.
“Are you serious?” I asked, a smile breaking out across my features.
“So serious,” she answered.
Hugging her tightly, I went in for a kiss. Well then, Mrs. Storm,” I said right before our lips touched. “It looks like we have some work to do.”
The End
Want to know what happens to Dillon, Boomer, Charlotte, and the rest of the gang?
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Amazon won’t tell you when the next book is out!
You’ll be left wondering what happens in Naples to all your favorite characters, and that’s not great because- I promise- what’s coming up next is pretty awesome.
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For more on Dillon Storm and his group of Naples neighbors, check out the sequels.
Book 1: Lost in the Storm can be found here
Book 2: Far From Shore can be found here. Check it out!
Book 3 Across the Sound can be found here.
Book 4: Caught in the Surf can be found here
Book 5: Buried in the Sand can be found here
Book 6: After the Sunset can be found here
Book 7: Hidden in the Shallows can be found here
Check out what happens in the courtroom in Naples with Coastal Law right here
And…
If you liked Cross and Anchor, check out their new Spinoff Series set in the Coastal Justice world. It can be found here:
Book 1: Crashing Waves can be found here
Book 2: Drifting Reef can be found here
Thanks so much and happy sailing,
Mark