David stalked off the dock. He paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Ralph, I want the girl alive.”
“And Alex?”
“I want them both alive, but if he gets in the way—kill him.”
* * *
Kelly sank to her knees in the wet sand. “I can’t run any farther.”
Alex kneeled beside her. “That’s all right because I don’t think they’re following us any longer.”
“No?” she said, her breathing coming in rasps. “Maybe they’ll let us go?”
“They’re not coming after us because they know we have nowhere to go.”
“Then they’ll guard the boats and know we’re stuck here.”
He nodded. “Yes.” He held out his hand and helped her to her feet. “Let’s find a place to rest.”
“But what will we do?” she asked as she trudged with him to a stand of coconut palms.
He paused, and after a moment of silence, he said, “I think I have an idea. From a film.”
Kelly gaped and then blurted, “We’re going to risk our lives on some make-believe plan?”
“You have any other ideas, love?”
Her shoulders drooped. “No.”
“Then I’ll swim down the shore and take the speedboat from the water. I don’t think they’ll expect it. I’ll come back here for you.”
“You’re not going without me,” she blurted.
“Bloody hell, Kelly. It’s too risky.”
“It’s too risky for you, too. You might need my help. You’re already hurt. The beating he gave you—”
Alex exhaled in exasperation. “All right, we go together, but if we’re caught, Kelly, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
She nodded, knowing what they faced—some form of torture and maybe death.
“Let’s rest here, love.” They sat under the group of palms, the fronds rustling in the breeze. He leaned back against the trunk of a tree and gathered her in his arms.
She touched his cheek. “I was so afraid for you. Are you going to be able to do this tonight?”
“We can’t wait for me to recover. They’ll look for us tomorrow. It’ll be much harder to hide in the daylight. After things settle down, we go.” He stroked the fabric of her black negligee. “Did he hurt you?” he asked softly.
“He tried to force himself on me. I tried to give in for you, but I couldn’t help myself. When he touched me, I kneed him and stopped his amorous ideas pretty quickly. He hit me for it, but I’m afraid I could’ve gotten you killed.”
“The bastard. I’m glad you did it.”
She opened the basket Ming had given them and picked up a stack of bills. “Ming must have anticipated we’d need money.”
Alex stuffed the cash into his pockets, while she pulled out bottles of water and several cold-cut sandwiches. Despite all that had happened, they both ate quickly. From their days of hunger, they’d both learned to eat when food was available.
After about an hour, he said, “Let’s give it a go, love.”
They strode down the beach to about two hundred yards away from the long pier. Dim solar dock lights illuminated three boats—a sailboat, and two other craft built for speed.
Alex stripped off his shirt and tucked it into the waistband of his shorts. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Say a prayer. Even the swim might be treacherous with sharks.”
Slowly, they swam toward the boats. At the final forty feet, she followed Alex’s lead and dove underwater and resurfaced under the dock. Peering out, Kelly spotted Ralph seated at the entrance to the dock, facing the house. Abruptly, he stood. A tight knot formed in Kelly’s stomach.
Alex clasped her elbow and pulled her under the dock. They waited while Ralph trampled the planks over their heads. His footsteps retreated, indicating he had walked back to his chair. Kelly exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
“I’ll climb the ladder,” Alex whispered. “Once I’m certain he hasn’t seen me, I’ll wave for you to come aboard.”
Shivering, she caught his arm. “He’ll catch us.”
“Not if I can help it.” He shrugged. “At least it worked in the film.”
She frowned. His words did not reassure her.
The boat rocked on gentle waves. She cringed at every slight squeak the ladder made as he climbed. Once he was on the dive platform, he leaned over and motioned for her to follow.
When she stepped up the ladder, the cool water plastered the sheer negligee to her like a second skin. Alex grasped her hand and helped her onboard. She crouched beside him on the deck of the boat.
“I can’t untie the lines without him seeing me,” he whispered. “I don’t recall that part in the film. I’ll have to improvise to get Ralph over here.”
Improvise? Here? What did he plan to do? She bit her lip and her stomach churned as he crossed to the helm and picked up a shiny gold lighter from the dashboard. “Stay down.” He tossed the lighter on the dock.
She kept her head low while Ralph’s footsteps pounded across the wooden boards toward them and the sound of the object that Alex had thrown. Alex vaulted off the boat. Her heart slammed in her chest as she peered over the edge to see him landing on Ralph’s back. They both crashed to the dock.
“Help,” Ralph shouted.
They rolled around.
Kelly jumped to the dock and untied the back rope. She glanced to see Alex punch Ralph in the mouth, silencing him. Ralph went for his gun and they wrestled for the weapon. A blast pierced the night air.
Fear paralyzed Kelly. Both Alex and Ralph lay in a heap on the dock. After what seemed an eternity, Alex rolled off Ralph. Dark stains covered both of them.
As if shocked by the moment, Alex scooped up Ralph’s semi-automatic and backed away, gaping at the still man. “I think he’s dead.”
She grasped Alex’s arm and pulled him away from Ralph’s lifeless body. “It was either you or him, and I’m glad about the outcome. Let’s go. It’ll be a matter of minutes before they’re all down here.”
While she untied the front rope, Alex leaped onto the boat and tried the engine. “Come on . . . Bloody hell, start.”
She climbed back in and shoved away from the dock, pushing the boat out into the cove. It slowly floated away.
He turned the key again. “The engine won’t turn over.”
Massive footsteps pounded like beating drums across the wooden dock. Moto dove into the water with a huge splash. In a few powerful strokes, the giant reached the boat. With a wide grin, he took the first rung of the ladder.
Kelly grabbed an oar and whacked him on the head. “Grin at this, you son of a bitch.”
He plunged into the dark water and came up sputtering.
She stepped to the console. “Hurry, Alex. Please hurry.”
He turned the key again. The twin engines rumbled to life. They exhaled in mutual relief.
Kelly swiped her perspiring forehead. “Thank, God.”
He pushed the throttle forward and the boat glided out of the cove.
She turned to see David hitting the dock, running. He knelt over Ralph’s lifeless form. “No!” he bellowed.
His rage confirmed their suspicion that Ralph was dead. David lifted his gun. A shot crackled in the night air and struck the control panel.
“Get the gun, Kelly. Shoot back.”
She did as he requested, but as she held the gun and aimed, she trembled so much, she couldn’t keep her hands from sweeping back and forth in an unsteady arc.
Alex glanced back at her as another shot plugged the dashboard.
“Kelly. Drive. They’re going to follow us in the other boat.” He grabbed the gun from her and fired as she took over the wheel. “Mick’s gotten free, and he’s running down the hill. Pick up your speed.”
Alex crouched down at the back of the boat and fired several shots. A sudden explosion pounded Kelly’s ears.
She whipped her head to look over her shoulder. What had been the other speedboat was now a tower of flame
s. “Whohoo, Alex. Great shot. You took out the other speedboat. You’re incredible.”
Alex stood watching. “Not intended, Kelly.”
She frowned. “What?”
“Lucky shot. I aimed at Mick, but I was a bit off, don’t you think, since he’s about thirty feet away from the boat that I hit?” He shot her a cocky grin, his teeth gleaming white in the dark night. “But I’ll take it. We need some luck. Now they can only follow us in the sailboat.”
“Oh, no, Alex,” Kelly cried. “Mick’s picking up a rifle. We’ve got to get out of here.” She turned back to the console, periodically peering over her shoulder at what was happening on the island. Alex was crouched at the back of the boat. Aiming the gun with both hands, he fired. This time he must have hit Mick in the leg because Mick dropped to his knees.
David grabbed the rifle from Mick’s hands and aimed toward them.
With a hand on her shoulder, Alex pushed her to the floor. “Get down, Kelly, and stay down. Don’t get up until I tell you it’s safe.”
He took control of the boat and rammed the throttle into full speed, and the boat lurched forward. She clung to the base of the captain’s chair and her hip pounded against the floor with each wave as they roared out into the open ocean.
More gunshots rang in the night and several slammed into the console. Alex let out a loud groan. “Ouch. Bloody, damn hell. Damn it.”
“What is it?” she cried.
“Just stay down, Kelly,” he ordered.
After they drove for several more minutes, the boat slowed.
A little shaken, but relieved, Kelly asked, “Are we at a safe distance now so that I can get up?”
“Yeah, should be. You’ll have to drive.” When she stood, he staggered toward her. Her arms went around him. His was breathing jerky and labored. He leaned on her. She brushed his back and brought her hand away covered with blood.
“Oh, my God. You’ve been shot.”
Chapter Fourteen
While the boat rocked on the waves, Kelly supported Alex to the bench seating along the stern of the boat. His trembling alarmed her. After all they’d been through, he couldn’t die on her now.
Putting his hand over his shoulder to cover the wound, he sat with a groan. “Hurts badly, Kelly.”
“Let me see if I can find bandages.”
Her stomach churned with anxiety as she hurried below. In minutes, she returned with the first aid kit and a towel. After flipping on a deck light, she leaned over him and inspected the wound. Blood oozed. “Thankfully, it’s only your shoulder, but I need to get this bleeding stopped.”
She pressed the towel to his wound. “Now aren’t you glad I came along with you?” she asked, trying to sound calm and light for his sake. Inside her nerves quaked. “I don’t suppose the hero was shot in the movie version?”
“In the film, they got off without a hitch. But it worked for us, love. We did get away.”
“Yes, we did.” Her hands shook as she tied the bandage. He grimaced. She bit her lip. “Sorry. Now, you’re going below while I drive this thing. Just point me in the direction you want to go.”
“Help me to the console.” He staggered to the captain’s chair and set the waypoints on the Global Positioning System. “Kelly, all you have to do is follow the arrows. I’ve set the GPS for Nadi, Fiji. There’s an airport.”
After she led him down to one of the staterooms and helped him strip off his wet clothing, he eased onto the bed. Something tightened in her chest at the sight of the many bruises covering his naked body.
“Kelly,” he said through chattering teeth. “I’ll rest for a while. Wake me soon?”
“Sure.” Tears slipped down her cheeks as she spread a sheet and blanket over him. She put her hand to his face. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I’ll be as good as new . . . soon,” he said with a groan that didn’t reassure her. “And I’m not too concerned they’ll catch us with their sailboat, but we still need to get to Fiji and the police quickly. David may have notified his friends. He also knows what Ming probably didn’t. With the GPS, the authorities will be able to backtrack to the island because I saved the coordinates. He’ll be hell-bent to stop us, love. It’s up to you . . .” He closed his eyes.
“Alex,” she cried. She lifted his limp wrist. She’d never dealt with a seriously injured person before. She felt for a pulse and was relieved it was steady. She lay his hand down and tucked the blankets in around him.
Then she ran her fingers through her hair and blew out a deep breath as she returned to the cockpit. Alex had to be okay.
She sat down in the captain’s chair that smelled of new leather. Obviously, David’s smuggling business was lucrative, judging by the ultra-luxurious features of the vessel.
Her father had taken her with friends on excursions, but she’d never done much more than steer. Now, their lives depended on her getting them back to civilization.
She brushed the stray curls from her perspiring forehead. With one last glance toward David’s cutthroat island blanketed in darkness beneath the stars, she pushed the dual throttles forward and the boat moved through the water.
As steered the boat, she was sure she would bless this GPS for the rest of her life. It made guiding the boat easy. It pointed to the Fiji mainland on a small screen and chirped when she strayed off course. Although she was exhausted, she had to get Alex to a hospital. She drove the boat straight through the remainder of the night, only taking short breaks to check on Alex.
Not long after the sun rose over the horizon, she spotted land. With a deep sigh, she glanced down at the sheer black negligee she still wore. It blew like fine gauze in the breeze. She needed to find something decent for them both to wear before heading into port.
She pulled back on the throttle and stepped down to the stateroom. After a quick, cold, reviving shower, she leaned over the bed where Alex lay twisted in the sheets. She touched his hot forehead, then patted his cheeks. “Wake up, baby. Wake up.”
He opened his eyes and blinked.
“We’re almost there. I’ve got to get you to a doctor. I’ll be right back with something for you to wear.”
With a quick search of the stateroom’s closet, she found a blue sundress for herself and jeans and a shirt for him. “Here, put these on.” After she pulled on the sundress, she helped him dress. “Now, go back to sleep. I’ll wake you when we get to the dock.”
She drove into the inlet. When she reached the docks, she scraped the edge of the boat, but she didn’t care. Waving her arms, she caught the attention of one kind tourist who took a glance at Alex and stopped a taxi. She told the driver they didn’t have a lot of money. He sped them to a free clinic.
Once inside, Kelly frowned at the filth, but they could hardly walk out now as they had barely enough money to cover plane fare.
The staff there allowed her to stay with Alex. As he lay on his side on an examination table, she held his hand and his gaze, while an elderly, American doctor injected a local anesthetic into his shoulder.
“Got yourselves into some kind of trouble?” the doctor asked with a sweeping gaze over them. Then he returned to work on removing the bullet . . .
“Yes. I’m going to report it to the police.” Kelly explained what had happened and how David Lewis’s accomplices might be in hot pursuit.
The doctor finished with thick bandages. “You have a slight concussion, son, and you’re going to be sore for while.” He handed Alex a bottle. “Take these antibiotics and pain pills.” Then he held up a huge needle, and lifted Alex’s hospital gown, prepared to inject him in the backside.
Making a face, Alex squeezed his eyes shut. “Bloody hell, Kelly, I hate pills and shots.”
Giving him an encouraging smile, she gripped his fingers. “Come on. This is going to make you feel better.”
After enduring the shot, he hauled himself up to sitting position on the table. “If you say so.” He swayed and the doctor caught his arm. “Not so fast.” Afte
r placing Alex’s arm in a sling, he said, “The shot and a night at the clinic will have you on the mend.”
“But he can’t stay,” Kelly blurted. “I’m afraid they’re looking for us. But can he rest here while I file a report with the Fiji Police?”
* * *
Kelly made arrangements with the American and British consulates for passports so they could leave the country immediately. Several hours had passed by the time she rushed back to the hospital.
She smiled that a little color had returned to Alex’s face. “I hope you’re feeling up to traveling. I’ve spent most of Ming’s money on flights to Hawaii. We are so out of here.”
They took the first cab. When a car followed closely, she glanced out the rear window to see two men, looking like they could fit the profile of David’s accomplices, trailing behind them.
She clutched Alex’s arm as they walked through the airport. When she looked over her shoulder and saw the same two men behind them, her knees nearly buckled. “Alex, I think we’re being followed.”
He clenched her hand. When they passed an elevator almost full of people, he said, “Get on.” They quickly stepped inside. They went up another floor and took another elevator down, and continued toward their gate.
It wasn’t until they were boarding the plane, that the tension faded from Kelly’s shoulders. She sighed. “Thank, God, we lost them and we’re on our way home.”
An attractive brunette flight attendant stopped Alex as soon as they stepped on. “Mr. Drake, we’ve heard the news that you’re alive. Since the flight’s not full, we have room in first class. Let me show you to your seats.”
Once they were seated, the other female attendants swarmed around Alex, and he was the celebrity of the moment. One pretty blonde fawned all over him. “I’ll personally wait on you for the duration of the trip.” She winked at him before she walked off to assist another passenger.
Alex’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t expect this.”
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