by Becky McGraw
“Where’s your ship to shore phone?” he asked, the hair on the back of his neck raising.
The 2nd Officer reached a few feet away to pick up the handset. She turned to hand it to him. Keegan keyed it, but it was obviously inoperable.
“They’ve disabled coms,” he said, his heart taking a plunge to his stomach. “This had to just happen because I just had a text go through an hour ago.” He handed the phone back to the officer. “Where’s the coms center on this ship?”
“Two decks down—forward. There’s a control room behind the stairs,” she replied.
“Get this thing turned around!” Keegan shouted as he took off running, because he thought he had just found their unaccounted for tango.
He heard other feet squeaking on the tile floor behind him as he pushed through the door, but he wasn’t letting her distract him. He found the stairs beside the bridge and flew down them two at a time. His heart pounded as he ran two decks down and found the control room door. Pistol in hand, he grabbed the handle and flung it open and a dark-skinned man in navy blue crew coveralls turned and fired at him. Keegan dove and his right shoulder drove into the deck when he landed. Red-hot pain blinded him as he reached for his pistol with his left hand.
Before he could, a shot rang out and he flinched as he waited for the blackness of death to claim him. When it didn’t come, he opened his eyes and saw a red-haired angel standing above him, aiming into the control room.
“I thought I told you to stay in the suite,” he growled, his blood running cold at the thought that she could’ve taken the bullet meant for him.
“You might be used to leaving your partner behind, but that’s not how I operate. I’d say that’s a good thing wouldn’t you?” Jules snarled back, melting him into the deck with her eyes.
“Go back to the room, Jules,” he grated as he sat up and held his arm to his side.
Instead of listening, she pushed the metal door back and walked inside the room. When she came back out with a small black box, her hand shook as she held it out to him in her palm.
“Is this what you were looking for?” she asked, her voice choked and her eyes wild.
Keegan vaulted up to grab it from her before she dropped it. “Yes, this looks like the detonator.” And it also appeared the bombs were on a joint timer and that time was ticking.
One hour, ten minutes and twenty-four seconds.
“Get my pistol and his, and meet me on the bridge,” Keegan said, striding to the stairway with adrenaline mixing with bile to make him want to vomit.
This was not a manual detonation device. The timers on the bombs had already been activated. Since the second tango told them the bombs would blow if the ship stopped, Keegan would bet his left nut there was a secondary mechanism in the engine room to detonate them if the engines fell below a certain RPM.
He had to get this information to the assist team now. When he walked back into the wheelhouse, he swayed back toward the door when the engine revved and the ship swayed hard to the left.
“Don’t slow down!” he yelled as he staggered over to the master panel. “Full speed turn, or we’re going to have problems.”
“What’s up?” Wilson asked. “Why in the hell did you run out of here so fast?”
“The tango is down and this is the detonator,” Keegan said, holding it out to him.
“A timer?” he asked, looking confused. “I thought this was supposed to be a manual detonation? Isn’t that what the tango you interrogated said?”
“No, he said if the ship stops, the bomb explodes,” Keegan corrected. “Which means—”
“There’s a secondary trigger tied to the engine!” Gars shouted and the ten crew members gathered at the control panel turned terrified eyes his way.
The engine revved higher, the boat groaned as it leaned far right, and he looked at the 2nd Officer. With a look of determination, she jammed a switch forward, twisted a knob, and the bow of the ship pirouetted to the left.
He imagined all of the passengers knew now that something was wrong, since they were all probably thrown across the deck when she whipped the ship around. He just hoped none of them were hurt, because this adventure was far from over.
“Do we have com with the assist team?” Keegan asked.
“Yes, they’ve found two of the devices,” Garrison replied, handing him a radio. “I’m going down there to help them find the third. You and Wilson stay up here to keep us at speed…and pray. You might want to make an announcement and lie to the passengers so we don’t have a riot to deal with too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Jules opened the bridge door and walked in on shaky legs. How she was walking at all was a mystery to her. Being locked up in that suite wasn’t helping anything, so she went to find Keegan and demand he include her. Now, she was so glad she hadn’t stayed where she was put. He hadn’t said thank you, but she’d bet he wanted to.
She handed Keegan his pistol and he tucked it into his waistband.
“What can I help with? And don’t tell me to go back to the suite or I’ll punch you in the balls, Boris,” she said, feeling eyes on her from the crew at the master panel.
“I need you to make an announcement for me to explain why we just turned the ship on a dime to head back out to sea. A lie of course, because I’ve got nothing,” Keegan replied, surprising her. “We need the passengers to remain calm, and you are in charge of making sure they stay that way until we call all clear.”
Or until we all end up as space dust, she thought, and nausea swirled in her gut as fear tried to consume her again. “I can do that. We’ve had an engine problem and can’t block the channel if the ship stalls.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up and the other followed. “Oh, you’re good,” he said, looking relieved.
“I have my talents and lying happens to be one of them.” Mostly to myself, but whatever. “Shooting is the second talent, so remember that.”
“Thank you for saving my bacon, Agent Lawson. I’m glad you had my six,” he replied, his pain-filled eyes softening. He reached up to rub his bicep. “Fixing my shoulder is another of your talents, so could you please have someone get me an ice pack?”
If he was asking for an ice pack he must be hurting something fierce, because she almost had to fight the stubborn ass last night to do ice therapy.
“I can do that, too. Anything else?” she asked.
“Yeah, a kiss for luck,” he said, his head descending toward hers. At the last minute she turned her face and his lips branded her cheek.
Jules was the unluckiest person in the world, so he wouldn’t be finding good fortune for himself on her lips or anywhere else. She was not going to let him start things she knew he wouldn’t be given a chance to finish. As soon as the all clear came, if it came, she was getting off this boat and away from Keegan MacDonald as fast as her legs would carry her.
She’d let him get too close to her, which probably explained why they were in this situation.
Fate could go get fucked—she was done with the fickle, game-playing bitch forever. Jules was at peace with her solitary life, where grief didn’t exist.
“Are you okay?” he asked, tipping her chin up to meet her eyes.
“You want the truth or a lie?” she asked, and he frowned when she pulled her chin from his grasp. “Yeah, everything is just fine. Now, excuse me while I make an announcement to calm the savage beasts on deck.”
Emotion made her head swell as she walked over to the master panel. “How do I make an announcement?” she asked the pretty brunette officer at the helm.
She reached down by her thigh and pulled up a microphone, then pushed a few buttons before handing it to her. “Just depress the button on the side.”
Jules took the mic, swallowed hard then depressed the button.
“Attention, ladies and gentlemen. We apologize for the sharp U-turn we just made and hope it didn’t frighten anyone. We’ve had minor engine trouble and have to turn back to sea for
an hour or so, while the crew fixes the problem. Please stay calm and go to your nearest bar station for free drinks, courtesy of the Radiant Seas Cruise Line.” Muted cheers rose outside the thick glass window that overlooked the deck.
She handed back the mic to the female officer who grinned at her. “Nice job—I think I’m going to speak to the line about hiring you when this is over.”
“Once I’m off this ship I’m never stepping foot on a cruise ship again, but thank you,” Jules replied with a laugh.
“She’s right, you rock, babe,” Wilson said, walking over to grab her by the shoulders before he jerked her up to kiss her hard on the mouth. She laughed when he set her back on her feet, but when she turned Keegan was glaring at her.
“I’ll be back in a minute with your ice pack,” she said, as she walked past him to open the door, feeling his eyes burning into her back.
Jules made her way down the steps to the main deck and turned right, but staggered back when she slammed into someone. She met the flat, black eyes of the man who’d been with Abdel Nour on the ship—his lieutenant. Her insides froze as her hand drifted to her weapon, but he bowed and she remembered he wouldn’t recognize her. He hadn’t ever visited the bar with Abdel.
“Excuse me, madam, is this the bridge?” he said in perfect English with a British-tinged accent, shocking her. “I was just going up, since this is my last chance to take the Captain up on his offer of a tour.” His smile made her skin crawl and she noticed a large bulge under the right side of his windbreaker.
You might be going up, but you won’t be coming back down.
“Yes, it’s at the top of the stairs,” she replied, pointing up the stairs. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy the tour. It’s very interesting to see the inner workings.” Jules stepped aside and smiled as she waved her hand to give him access to the stairs. When he was two steps up, she patted her pockets. “Oh, I forgot my cell phone up there, so I’ll just come up with you.”
His face pinched as he nodded and turned to walk up the stairs. Jules hurried to get behind him and pulled her pistol. He opened the door and she shoved it into his back.
“Drop whatever you have under your right arm,” she growled and he tensed.
His elbow snapped back and clipped her jaw and Jules’ head bounced off the door hard. Stunned, she slid down the door to sit, he spun, and suddenly she was staring down the barrel of an automatic rifle.
Jules rolled as he fired and a fierce roar echoed in her head. When she looked back, Keegan plowed into him and drove him into the glass wall hard enough to shatter it. The weapon skated across the floor, Wilson dove for it, and came up with it aimed at the terrorist.
Keegan and the man struggled until he threw him on the ground, pounced on top of him and commenced pounding his face with his left fist. When he stopped to grab the back of his skull and his chin, Wilson walked over there and put his hand on Keegan’s shoulder.
“That’s enough, dude—he’s unconscious,” he said, and Keegan stopped to look down at the man as he drew in ragged breaths. “Let him rot in prison with Abdel. The devil doesn’t want him.”
The radio on Keegan’s belt alerted. “Two down, one to go. Third is in a locked freezer in the port kitchen and we’re working on it,” a brusque, masculine voice announced, and three-quarters of the starch left Jules body. The other quarter was reserved for when they disabled the third bomb and this nightmare could be over.
Jules’ breath came out in a rush as she laid on the cool tile floor and prayed that would be soon. When this was over, she would be thankful to get back to her white-collar criminals. She’d leave fighting terrorists to heroes like Keegan, Wilson, Lawrence, and Garrison, who had no problem giving up the last of their nine lives to the cause. They worked for God, and He could have them. Jules just wanted to be a mortal again.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Oh, God, tell me you’re okay, baby…” Keegan groaned, sounding sick, as he knelt beside her and skimmed his left hand down her back.
Before she could answer, he rolled her over and did the same on her front side. Wilson knelt on her other side, but when he put his hand on her middle, Keegan pushed him away.
“Hands off—I’ve got this!” he growled, glaring at his buddy.
“Do I need to call up a medic for both of you?” Wilson asked, staring at Keegan’s right arm, which he had cradled across his stomach. His left hand was cut up badly from interaction with the terrorist’s teeth she’d imagine.
“No, but you might want to call one for him. We need him breathing so he can talk,” Keegan said, shooting a glance at the man lying unconscious by the wall. “This won’t be done until all of them are in custody or dead.”
“I’m not worried about him, and you shouldn’t be either. The feds will find them all. We just need to finish our part and get off this boat.”
Jules couldn’t agree more. When the radio on Keegan’s belt keyed again her whole body tensed, and his did too.
“Third device is clear. All clear. Notifying command, so start evac.” The voice on the radio sounded as relieved as Jules felt. Her whole body shook with it. She looked up into Keegan’s eyes and they glistened as he pulled her up to his chest for a tight, one-armed squeeze and she realized he was shaking too. Hot tears burned her eyes as he released her.
They’d made it out alive.
He turned to the 2nd Officer. “Great job, Sharon—stop the ship and sound the bells to offload the passengers into lifeboats. I imagine the Navy will board to gather evidence and safely remove the devices, before bringing the ship into the harbor, so the crew should go too.”
Jules sat up and noticed as soon as the woman flipped a series of switches, her body shook violently before she disappeared from view. With a growl, Wilson left her and ran over there to help Sharon.
When he pulled her up to her feet, she brushed off his hand and grabbed the mic. She pushed a button on the dashboard and five sharp bells rang.
“Attention passengers and crew, this is your 2nd Officer—although there is no present danger, thanks to the brave men and women who have contained a threat we had on board, we need you to immediately move to your muster stations to board life boats. Do not go back to your cabins to retrieve personal items—move calmly to your muster stations, now. You may contact the Radiant Seas Line to collect your belongings once the ship is safely back in harbor.” She pressed a button, then hung up the mic, but the message and bells continued to repeat.
Jules was surprised when Sharon threw herself against Wilson and hugged him like he was her life ring. He put his arms around her, glanced at Keegan and grinned. The bridge door opened and Lawrence and Garrison strode in looking haggard.
“Fuck, that was too close,” Gars said, huffing a breath. “Ten minutes to spare? Those bomb techs have nerves of freaking steel.”
Jules had zero nerves left. They were all worn down to nubs.
“Can you two take out the trash?” Keegan asked, glancing at the jihadi who was now moving and groaning. “Get the other one in the suite, too. I’m sure Homeland will be boarding with our guys so you can turn them over. I’m going to make sure Bob, Louise, and Jules, get on a raft, then I’ll find you.”
“We’re on it,” Lawrence replied, walking that way with Garrison on his heels.
Keegan held out his left hand to help Jules up, but she shook her head and got up on her own. “So you’re not going with us?” she asked, both disappointed and relieved.
That would make things easier for her, so why did her heart twist so hard when she met his eyes? She looked away because she knew he’d see her regrets. Even at this last minute, she was reconsidering her decision.
Keegan MacDonald was a good and loving man and she had fallen hard and fast in love with him. But his career choice was a deal-breaker. Even though he was retired from the military, he was still active duty for some counter-terror organization. The world needed men like him, but she didn’t need to love one of them.
“No, I hav
e to stay here to give a SITREP to the boarding party. The Navy will pick you up from the life raft and make sure you get to shore. I’ll catch up with you when I’m relieved.”
“And God—your boss—will want a SITREP, too. Don’t forget Him.” She sighed, and batted her burning eyes. “I guess you’re never going to tell me who you really work for.” And if you were in my life, you’d continue to keep things from me, like how much danger you’re really in when He calls you up.
“I’m sorry, I still can’t, baby,” he said, putting his hand on her face to stroke her cheek with his thumb. The tender gesture made her look into his soulful gray eyes and the raw emotion she saw there dragged words to her lips she would never utter. She bit her lower lip to keep them right where they belonged.
Loving this man and leaving him now would be much easier than loving him and losing him. She’d lost too many people she loved in her life to take a chance on a man who sought out situations to get himself killed.
Controlled adventure in life was a good thing, she wanted those adventures to remind herself she was alive. What she didn’t want was to live with a different kind of terror every day, fear that he’d get into another situation like this one and not be so lucky. He would die and leave her to die a slow and agonizing death inside, while she was still alive.
That almost happened when her parents and her brother died. Then again when her grandmother left her. It had taken Jules a long time to finally get past the pain and feel alive inside again. She was not a masochist and that was not the type of pain she would subject herself to again voluntarily.
She forced herself to laugh, but it almost sounded like a whimper. “I guess this is goodbye then, Boris. You take care of yourself,” she said, her voice trembling as she tiptoed to press her lips to his. “I can’t say it’s been fun, but it has been an adventure I’ll never forget.”
And one I’ll never repeat.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE