“To go through what again?”
“Back in Hawaii, at the signing, I overheard... No man deserves to have a woman he loves ripped away twice.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
I didn’t say I loved her.
Still, it’s plain as day I do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have my heart in my throat, throbbing with murderous intent the second I find Troy Clement.
“She isn’t going anywhere as long as we’re quick,” I promise. “I’m turning around and heading for your pier now.”
“Should we call the police and give them the location in case you’re not fast enough?” Brock asks.
Tom holds up his phone in the back seat, signaling he’s already on it.
“Yes, but in this soup, who the hell knows how long it’ll take them to get there? I’m going either way. Can you have the boat ready so we can take off as soon as I get there?”
“Will do. I’ll have it staffed and ready. I’m not far, I’ll be there too.”
With a lucky break in traffic heading back into the city, I speed toward the dock where Brock keeps his infamously lavish rental alongside several other sleek, classy vessels only reserved for visitors with serious money and prestige.
Still, this is taking too long.
I keep glancing at my screen, hoping Eliza will call again.
Hoping for some sign Troy hasn’t fully snapped, that he hasn’t done anything to silence her.
Goddamn, I hope we make it in time.
I have to.
Twenty minutes later, I skid through the parking gate at the pier, flashing my ID and a black credit card for the bewildered, cold-looking parking attendant.
Once I jack the car into a space, I turn and look at Tom. “Stay in the car with Destiny, will you?”
“Absolutely, Mr. Lancaster.” The older man nods.
“Dad, no!” She whips her ponytail, shaking her head. “You have to take me. I have to help Eliza.”
“Destiny, we’ll be lucky to even get out of port on a night like this. There’s also no telling what Troy’s intentions are, his mental state, or even if he’s heavily armed. It’s not safe,” I warn.
“So, what? You’ll just go off and leave me an orphan then? Thanks, Dad. I love you too.” She sighs.
I snort pure frustration.
“Destiny, this is not the damn time.” I get out of the car and jog through pooling water to the boat.
Despite Tom’s best efforts, she’s right behind me, rushing through the puddles as fast as her pink Chucks will carry her. “Dad, hold up! Listen. I already lost one parent. I’m not waiting around to lose you, too. I can’t do nothing while you and Eliza are...” She trails off.
When I turn around with a burning sigh, I see heartbreak and terror etched on her face.
I don’t have time to argue, so I hoist her up and resume my run, carrying her onto the boat ahead of me.
“If you make me regret this—” And I’m sure I will. “You’re grounded for life, young lady. You stay on this ship with an adult at all times if you’re coming.”
“Deal!” she chirps happily.
Brock meets me with several crewmen as soon as I’m aboard. “We’re all set. Any last details I should know about?”
“Yeah. She was at the south marina off two fifty-three last time I heard from her.”
He nods. “We’ll be there as soon as we can. I haven’t been on a mission like this in a long time.” He grins, combing back his dark, rain-slicked hair with his fingers.
He’s more excited about it than I am. I suppose I can’t blame him.
“Same, but I wish I wasn’t. The stakes are too goddamned high,” I mutter.
“You love her, don’t you?” he asks gruffly.
“She’s—” Everything, I almost say, but then I remember she resigned from the company and me. “She was an excellent employee and she damn sure doesn’t deserve this. That’s the long and short of it.”
“Got it,” he says, a doubtful edge to his voice.
“He’s lying. He’s over the freaking moon with her,” Destiny whispers. “I think she’s pretty cool, too.”
Brock smiles at her and looks at me, his eyes piercing through the gloom. “Are you sure you want the kid aboard?”
She glares at him. “I’m not a kid, hotel guy.”
Winthrope smiles, his face tight with laughter.
“She wouldn’t stay behind and I don’t have time to argue. She’s a brave little brat, but she cares about Eliza. Thanks for helping find her,” I tell Brock sincerely.
There’s the throaty grind of an engine spooling to life and then motion as the ship begins backing away. Once I make sure Destiny heads inside the lower deck cabin with Tom, I follow Brock up to the bridge.
Even with the conditions being what they are, travel by sea is faster and safer than anything on land tonight.
There’s no manic traffic to fight and we’re close to our destination in less than an hour.
As Olympia’s lights materialize off to one side, Brock steps out and leans over the railing, peering far into the night.