Page 104 of Striker
Viper grinned and elbowed him. “She’s alive then. Told ya.”
“Looks that way,” he replied cautiously. Until Molly was safe with him, he couldn’t make assumptions.
“Bring the bird back,” Rogue ordered.
He steered the drone toward them. A few minutes later, the machine descended into the boat, the whir reaching his ears only when it was directly overhead. Atlas landed it on the deck and Viper scooped it up.
Rogue turned on the motor, kept it on its lowest setting, and drifted them toward the island. After a minute or two, he cut the engine.
“Hope you boys are ready for a swim.” Havoc snickered as he tossed an anchor overboard.
Viper groaned. “Man. Can’t we just take the boat around the other side of the island? How far are we swimming?”
“Quarter mile.”
“Fuck.”
Atlas shot Viper a disapproving look. “Really? You thought we were just going to sail right up to their dock?”
“I’d have landed our heli on their roof if it were up to me. There’s sharks and shit. Jellyfish. I don’t want to be fish food today.”
“You’d satisfy a whale better,” Havoc said. “A shark would just think you’re a boat.”
“Ha-ha. And you’d taste like shit to a shark.”
“Fine with me.”
“All right, stop bickering,” Rogue said. “Grab what you need, leave your phones, and let’s go.”
“What about the earpieces?” Havoc asked. “Can’t get those wet and we need coms.”
Atlas froze. Shit.
Viper dug into his backpack and pulled out a sealed plastic bag full of wrapped snacks. “See, it pays to be prepared.” He emptied the snacks into the bottom of his backpack then held up the plastic. “Drop ’em in here.”
“All right, that’s actually smart,” Havoc mumbled. He passed the tiny devices to Viper, who then sealed the bag and stuffed it in the zippered pocket of his vest.
“If I get eaten by a shark, you guys are gonna feel bad,” Viper said, as he swung his legs over the edge. He lowered himself into the water. His face twisted with discomfort. “It’s f-fucking c-cold.”
Rogue snorted. “Well, yeah. Getting in like that.” He spread his arms over his head and sprang into the water. Havoc went next.
Then Atlas dove into the waves. Icy water rushed over his head, immediately lowering his core temperature. He swam beneath the surface, momentarily suspended in time. When his lungs demanded air, he came up for a breath.
His team swam alongside him, their arms slicing through the water. He dove down for another stretch, and when he came up again, the shore was in view.
None of them said a word as they advanced toward the beach.
He’d endured the longest hours of his life. And now, he’d take back what was his.
Molly stirred and inhaled sharply. If it weren’t for the tape on her lips, she’d have gasped.
She was still here in this godforsaken room on this godforsaken island, her hands bound and her mouth sealed.
Not a dream.
Thankfully, the grimy hands that’d peeled off her clothes in her nightmare hadn’t been real. Her heart pumped wildly, and sweat trickled down the side of her head. The balcony door was still open, as if to taunt her.
To remind her of her failed escape.
