Page 103 of Blue in the Deep Blue Sea

“Bianchi,” he said.

More voices came from the beach. This time, we heard the low growl of a RIB boat cutting through the water before scraping onto the shore. As they dragged it across the pebbles, I risked a few quick glances through the gap in the rocks. Faces blurred together until one stopped me cold, striking me like a jagged shard of glass.

Gianni was alive.

He helped two of the men pull the boat ashore. One of his hands was wrapped in a bandage, and half his face was swollen, dark bruises spreading across his skin from heavy blows.

“Gi…” I breathed.

Oliver covered my mouth again before I could say another word.

We stayed frozen until the footsteps slowly faded into the distance. Then he turned to me. My back pressed harder against the cold rock as I tried not to look at the skeleton beside us. Oliver edged closer, shielding me from the icy gusts sweeping into the shallow cave with the warmth of his body.

“This is our chance,” he whispered. “We can get on that boat and try to find our way home.”

“I can’t.” I cupped his cheek with my palm. “My brother is alive, and he’s right there.”

His brows drew together, his jaw tightening. “He didn’t look like he needed our help, Blue.”

My gaze dropped to the pebbles beneath us.

“I know,” I whispered. “But I don’t want to leave until I know he’s okay.”

He let out a slow breath, frustration moving across his face, but he accepted my decision.

His hand cupped my cheek, and his eyes held mine a moment too long.

“If something happens to you,” he whispered, “I swear I’ll kill him.”

A tear, heavy with fear, slid down my cheek. I covered his hand with mine and lifted it to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss against his knuckles.

“It’ll be okay,” I breathed. “I’ll be okay.”

“You don’t understand.” He stepped closer, shielding me with his body. “These men are dangerous, and I wouldn’t survive losing you.”

“You won’t.” I looked into his eyes.

His lips crashed against mine as though he were trying to claim every part of me all over again. His tongue traced across my lips, drawing me closer. My eyes fluttered shut, and when we finally broke apart, only for a breath, I whispered against his mouth,

“I’m safe with you.”

“Fine.” His jaw tightened as his eyes met mine. He grabbed my hand, threading his fingers through mine and holding me close. “But you can’t leave my side. Not even once.”

I nodded.

“Promise me we’ll only check what he’s doing here, then we’ll run.” A low growl rumbled beneath his words. “We’ll get out of here.”

“I’m scared,” I admitted.

He pulled me into him and pressed another kiss to the top of my head.

“I know,” he murmured against my scalp. “But if it means you’ll finally leave in peace and never look back again, I’m willing to do it for you.”

I nodded, drawing in a slow, steady breath.

Still holding my hand, we slipped out of the cave, scanning the shoreline and the rocks nearby. No one was there. The rain had stopped, but although it was only late afternoon, thick cloudssmothered the sky, turning everything so dark it felt like the middle of the night.

“We’ll go behind the lighthouse, by the window,” he whispered. “It’s half open, so we’ll be able to hear what’s happening inside.”