From the shadows where he crouched, Diego watched. He could see the hired thug in silhouette as he leaned against the railing. He waited for the exact right moment when the thug’s guard was down. The man’s shoulders relaxed.
Diego pounced like a lion, landing on the man’s back and taking him to the ground. He hoped the thud of a body falling wouldn’t bring trouble. He pinned the man down face-first and cupped a hand over his mouth.
“Not a word.” Diego spoke through gritted teeth.
Samantha was at his side. She’d been so quick and silent. He hadn’t even noticed her coming.
“I’ve got his gun,” she said.
“Get something to tie him up and gag him with.” He glanced toward the bow of the boat. Agent Brown still stood at the wheel with his back to them. The scuffle hadn’t caught his attention.
Samantha searched the area around her, crouching and watching the front of the boat, as well.
Diego’s captive resisted only a little. That was the problem with hired muscle. Their heart wasn’t in the fight. Anyone connected to the drug trade Diego sought to destroy would be more dangerous.
Samantha crawled toward Diego. “Some wire is all I could find and this.” She held up a scrap of fabric.
“Good. Get that in his mouth.” He took the wire and wrapped it around the man’s wrists while she gagged him with the fabric.
“What are you doing?” A voice boomed above them.
It was the third man. He must have been awakened when the man’s body fell on the deck. Diego saw now that the third man was Scarface from the zoo. He stomped toward him. Diego glanced around. Samantha must have hidden. Smart woman. The gun was still on the deck about three feet from Diego. He lunged toward it.
Scarface stomped on Diego’s hand with his boot and kicked the gun across the deck. Intense pain shot up Diego’s arm, distracting him as Scarface reached down and picked Diego up by the shoulders. Diego managed to kick the other man’s ankles before he was lifted up and tossed. His back slammed against the railing.
Scarface fought like a man who had something to lose.
Diego dived toward the man who was substantially bigger than he, slamming against him with all his weight. Colliding with him was like running into a brick wall. He punched him in the stomach twice and once across the jaw. Scarface recovered quickly and raised a fist to hit Diego. Diego feared the noise of the scuffle would alert Agent Brown.
The boat rocked more intensely, swaying from side to side. They’d hit some choppy water, which must be occupying Brown’s focus.
Diego’s feet were pulled out from beneath him, and both men slid to one side of the boat and then back to the other side.
Scarface grabbed Diego’s leg and pulled him close. Diego swung at the other man, but only managed to take a swipe at air as the boat rocked and the men slid along the deck. Water spread over the top of the deck.
Diego wondered where Samantha had hidden. In seas this rough, they should be below deck. He tried to grab hold of something stable. The waves continued to rock the boat. Salt water sprayed his face.
Scarface had given up the fight as well, in favor of staying alive. The bound man slipped toward the back of the boat. He lay on his side, struggling to get into a sitting position.
Diego glanced toward the front of the boat, where Agent Brown was frantically trying to steer the boat through the rough seas. Now would be the perfect time to ambush him.
Diego crawled soldier style toward the bow, not daring to stand up for fear of being washed overboard. Scarface came after him, moving in the same manner. He worried that Samantha had already been dragged into the rough water. He cleared his mind of the images that the thought created. He needed to keep his focus on the fight at hand. If he searched for her, he’d only expose her presence to Scarface—and possibly Brown, as well. She’d proved over and over she could take care of herself. He said a quick prayer for her safety.
Scarface grabbed his ankle. Another wave washed over the deck. Diego tried to twist free of Scarface’s grasp. The larger man dragged Diego toward him and punched him in the face.
Samantha appeared out of the shadows and hit Scarface on the side of the head with some kind of object. The man collapsed on the deck unconscious.
“Perfect timing,” Diego shouted above the roar of the storm.
“We need to get below deck,” she said. “Help me with these guys or they’ll drown.”
She was right. They couldn’t leave them on deck to die. Whatever they had done, they were human beings. They helped the smaller man get below deck, and together they moved an unconscious Scarface and tied him up. They shut the two men in the bathroom.
Diego slid down to the floor as exhaustion invaded his body. Bombarded by the waves, the boat continued to sway and jerk. “We have to stop Agent Brown before he gets to Canada.”
She opened a cupboard, pulled out a towel and tossed it to him. “Now would be the time. He’s distracted with trying to navigate through the storm.”
Diego did his best to dry off with the towel. A chill sank into his bones that probably wouldn’t leave for weeks. “We’ll have to go back up on deck to get to him.”
She nodded. Both of them knew what a risk they were taking going back out and attempting to take down the man who was guiding their boat through the storm. “At least it will be two against one.”
But the one they were up against had a gun and murder in his heart. “I’ll go first. Once we get across the deck, I’ll wait for a moment when he’s distracted to jump in and take him down,” said Diego.
There were a thousand things that could go wrong. The boat could be hit by a wave big enough to send them into the ocean. Agent Brown could hear them coming and shoot them both. But this was their last, best chance.
Samantha tilted her head as the boat listed to one side. “We’d better do this.”
He detected the fear beneath her words, but appreciated her attempt to sound brave. They made their way up the ladder as the boat rocked. A blast of sideways rain hit his face when he poked his head up out of the cabin. He pulled himself on deck and crawled forward. Samantha’s head appeared. He reached out his arm for her to hold on to as she hoisted herself on deck.
She looked up, her expression growing grim.
Diego turned his head slowly. Agent Brown stood behind them with a gun in his hand.
* * *
The fabric on Diego’s shirt brushed against her cheek as he scooted between Samantha and Agent Brown. They were both on their knees. The boat listed substantially to one side, making them slide across the deck. She heard a shot being fired and pinging off something metal.
Agent Brown couldn’t stay away from the helm for long, not in water this rough. When she looked up, he had gone back to steer the boat.
The boat was almost on its side. Diego’s strong arms wrapped around her waist. If they stayed out here much longer, the ocean would do Agent Brown’s job for him. They’d be washed out to sea and drowned.
Agent Brown stepped out again to fire off another shot and then returned to manning the boat. Gripping the metal railing, Diego worked his way toward the front of the boat.
She shouted above the roar of the waves. “He’ll shoot us when we get there.”
Agent Brown had shut and probably locked the doors to the bridge to keep water from flowing in.
“He’s focused on preventing this boat from capsizing,” he said. “We have to try.”
Another wave washed over the boat. Diego nearly lost his grip on her. She struggled to grasp the railing like he was doing. He worked his way toward the doors.
The boat righted itself somewhat but still leaned to one side.
She huddled behind him, leaning close to shout into his ear. “Wait until the next big wave comes. He’ll be distracted. Maybe we can kick the door open.”
Diego nodded. “Good plan.”
She stared out into the dark ocean and watched the huge wave looming toward the boat, a wall of water that could send them into the depths.
They’d have to let go of the railing to get close enough to the door. The wave drew closer. This was a plan that could cost both of them their lives.
Resolve like liquid steel coursed through her. She was not going to let Agent Brown win. Not after fighting this hard.
Diego gazed out into the ocean. “Now,” he said.
They scooted forward and both banged on the wooden door with their feet. The door flung open. The wave rushed over the deck. They threw themselves into the engine room as salt water filled it.
Agent Brown reached for his gun.
Again the boat tipped, the wooden hull creaking from the force of the water.
Diego managed to get to his feet. He jumped Agent Brown, slamming his body against the other man’s. The gunshot was insanely loud in the enclosed room.
Her breath caught, and fear coursed through her as she waited for Diego’s limp body to fall to the wet floor.
Instead, he punched Agent Brown hard in the stomach, making the man double over. Then she saw the gun sliding across the floor as water flowed in.
The boat rocked wildly. Agent Brown slammed into Diego, pushing him to the ground. Samantha was propelled against a back wall, the wind momentarily knocked out of her.
Diego and Agent Brown wrestled on the floor. She looked at the waves coming toward them. Someone needed to be steering this boat or they would all die. She stepped behind the helm and assessed the best way to get around the approaching waves.
Agent Brown managed to get on top of Diego. He pushed Diego’s face into the rising water, trying to drown him. She let go of the wheel and searched for the gun, picked it up and hit Agent Brown in the head with it.
The blow was enough to get the agent off Diego but not enough to knock him out. Diego twisted up onto his knees.
“I have the gun.” Her hands were shaking.
Agent Brown sneered. “You don’t know how to use that.”
Agent Brown was between her and Diego.
“Just pull the trigger, right?” Her bluff fooled no one.
Diego had managed to rise to his feet.
The boat rocked to and fro, banging her against the wall. She dropped the gun. Both Diego and Agent Brown dived for it. She caught sight of the next wave coming toward them and turned her attention back to steering the boat.
Neither man got to the gun before the rising water swallowed it. Agent Brown lifted Diego up and slammed him against the wall, then punched him.
She could see calmer waters up ahead. She steered toward them.
Diego slipped down to the floor, clutching his stomach. Agent Brown pounced on him. She left the wheel to try to help Diego. She beat on Agent Brown’s back. “Get off him.”
The distraction bought Diego enough time to stand. He punched Agent Brown hard across the jaw.
The two men continued to fight. Samantha picked up the radio and put out a distress call to the Coast Guard, alerting them of their location and situation. The sea continued to be rough but no longer life threatening.
Diego knocked Agent Brown to the floor. “Got something to tie him up with?”
Agent Brown continued to resist, attempting to twist free. Diego placed a knee in the middle of his back and held his hands behind him.
Samantha searched the room, coming up with some rope. She handed it to Diego.
The Coast Guard sirens sounded in the distance. Diego pulled the bound Agent Brown to his feet and propped him against the wall. He stepped back out on deck and returned with more rope to tie the agent’s feet.
Diego wiped the blood from his face. “You didn’t think you were going to get away, did you?”
Agent Brown sneered and shook his head. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
The Coast Guard boat appeared on the horizon. Though she felt as if she might collapse, Samantha took in a breath.
A few minutes later, the Coast Guard boat came alongside their vessel. Diego moved toward the door. “I’ve got to explain the situation to them.” He placed his palm on her cheek. “You’ll be all right?” He tilted his head toward Agent Brown.
She stared up into Diego’s wide, dark eyes. “He’s not going anywhere.”
Diego left the bridge.
She looked directly at Agent Brown. “And I’m not afraid of him anymore.”
Agent Brown lifted an eyebrow. “I’d fear for my life if I was in your shoes, honey. You have no idea what’s in store for you.”
His words chilled her. What did he mean by that? She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eye. “You’re going to jail for a long time.”
He laughed. “You won’t be safe...ever.”
The sound of his laughter still echoed in her ears when Diego returned. “They’ll take him and the other two into custody.”
He held a hand out for her. “Let’s get you someplace warm and dry.”
She was shaking from the physical exertion and the emotional trauma. He wrapped his arm around her, steadied her until a female Coast Guard member met her at the boat railing.
The Coast Guard woman studied them. “Looks like you’ve had a bad day at the office.”
Samantha gazed at Diego. She’d lived a lifetime in the few short days she’d been with him. Everything after this would seem mundane.
His face glowed with affection. He brushed his fingers up and down her arm. What was he thinking? He clearly cared for her, but their worlds had intersected by chance. What would happen to them now that they had no reason to stay together any longer?
“I’m Chief Petty Officer Neill,” said the Coast Guard woman. “Come this way. I’ll show you where you can get cleaned up and find you some dry clothes.”
Samantha followed Officer Neill’s lead to a bathroom with a shower. “They’ll be some dry clothes waiting for you when you get out.” The female officer excused herself, shutting the door on the way out.
Samantha stepped into the shower. The hot water soothed her, but she could not let go of what Agent Brown had said to her about fearing for her life, the way he’d laughed as if he had one more trick up his sleeve.
When she emerged from the shower, a sweatshirt that said Coast Guard and sweatpants were laid out on a chair. She got dressed and gingerly opened the door.
Diego sat in one of the cabin chairs. Agent Brown and his two thugs must be in a separate area of the boat. At least she wouldn’t have to listen to his threats anymore.
Diego had changed into dry clothes, as well. He wore the same sweat outfit she’d been given.
“Twins.” He offered her his charming smile, the one she’d been so suspicious of when she’d first met him. She knew better now. He was nothing like Eric.
She took a seat opposite him, still feeling shaken and uneasy. “Agent Brown is restrained?”
Diego pointed. “They have a sort of holding cell in the forward cabin.”
She took in a breath, trying to relax.
“I’ve been on the phone with Gabriel. He says it looks like Agent Brown would alert the drug network of what the Bureau’s next move was in exchange for a bigger and bigger piece of the drug trade. We suspect an IT guy was involved, too, and that’s how Agent Brown got a lot of his information.”
“Sounds like there is a decent case against him,” she said.
“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure my job is over. I can’t hope to work undercover as a CI, not in this city, anyway.”
So Diego was thinking about leaving Seattle. “I’m sure you’ll figure out how to make a difference. That’s what your work was about anyway.”
He studied her for a long moment. “Yes, it is.”
“I haven’t known you that long, Diego, but you seemed the happiest when you were playing basketball with those boys outside your sister’s house.”
Diego nodded as though he were thinking about what she said. “I suppose.”
So much was going unsaid between them. She wished she could tell him how she felt. That she cared deeply for him, but what could they do about it? She glanced around the room. The couch on the opposite side of the room looked very inviting. “I think I might get some sleep.”
He shifted his weight in the chair. “You should do that.” He studied her for a long moment.
She pulled free of the magnetic power of his gaze and curled up on the couch facing away from him. Her eyelids felt heavy as the fog of sleep rolled in.
Just as she was drifting off, Diego put a blanket over her. Her eyes warmed with tears. She was going to miss that tenderness. A few minutes later, she heard him get up and leave the cabin.
* * *
After covering Samantha with a blanket, Diego went on deck, stared out at the ocean and breathed in the salt air. He was exhausted beyond belief, but staying in the same room with Samantha had been too hard. Once they got back to shore, they would have no reason to stay together.
He had come to really care about her, but he could offer her nothing. He had no job. He was going to have to rebuild his life from the ground up. As far as he knew, there could be some sort of bounty on his head. He might have to leave the state.
He’d never liked goodbyes, and this one was really going to hurt. The thought of looking into those blue eyes again tore him up. Maybe it would be better if they didn’t have a formal parting.
He watched as the shore drew closer. When the boat docked, he disembarked and walked out into the Seattle night.