Page 82 of Corrupted Lies

Chapter

Nineteen

October 21st

2:28 A.M.

The bright rays of the search light hit them.

This was it.

They were about to find out if they’d just been rescued by his brothers or somebody they’d hired, or by the men who had been hunting his family for months.

Life or death.

What awaited them on that boat?

For about the millionth time in the last ten or so minutes since they’d first spotted the other vessel, Jake second-guessed himself.

Alannah said she knew what they were getting into, understood the risks involved, got that they didn't have a lot of choices, and their chances of stumbling across land in what amounted to a rowboat were slim. But it didn't matter that she said she was on board with this plan, he couldn’t help but feel that she didn't truly understand just how dangerous these men were and what they’d do if they got their hands on her.

She knew what it felt like to believe she was going to die in a fire, but the last thing he wanted was for her to know what it felt like to be tortured. To be unable to get away from the pain that others inflicted not just willingly but joyfully.

Men like the ones hunting them were sadists. They enjoyed other people’s suffering, got off on it. If they weren't, they would have found a legitimate way to put their skills to use without working for someone like the man determined to keep his identity a secret.

Still, it was too late to back out, too late to try to come up with a different plan or just cross their fingers and pray for a miracle. Even if they hadn't started waving down the boat, the chances of them not being spotted were slim. They had only makeshift oars so they couldn’t move very fast while the other boat had an engine. It would have found them sooner or later, they’d just sped it up a little.

“We’re in this together, Jake,” Alannah said as the light stayed fixed on them and the boat drew closer. “If it’s them and we’re captured now, I don’t blame you. I agreed with this plan. Don’t blame yourself, okay?”

As if he wouldn't if the worst was about to happen.

When the boat reached him, he knew. This wasn't his brothers out searching for them.

If it was, the first thing they would have done was yell out to let him know it was them, aware of the fact that he’d be uncertain if it was friend or foe.

But there was no sound from the boat other than its engine running, and his fingers curled into fists as he resisted the urge to grab his weapon and open fire. The only thing stopping him was the knowledge that if he started shooting, they’d shoot back, and with their positions it was him and Alannah who would likely get shot.

While the light stayed fixed on them, a rope was dropped down, but still no one spoke.

“I’m sorry, sunshine,” he whispered as he forced himself to reach out to the rope that would soon be delivering them to their enemies. To pain and suffering. To death.

“It’s them?”

“Yeah. If it were my brothers, they would have let us know before now. I’m sorry. We should have tried to hide from them, get away.” Regret pressed heavily against him, and his mind scrambled for a way to undo this. Only there was no way. Even if they jumped into the water, it wouldn't take them long to be found. There were likely a dozen or more men currently sitting on that boat.

“Together. We’re together in this. I agreed, stop blaming yourself.” A hint of irritation was in her voice this time, like she was annoyed with him for trying to shoulder all the responsibilities, and it was so very brave of her that he couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m not giving up. We’ll figure something out, find a way,” he vowed.

“Course we will.”

Knowing that if they didn't let themselves be pulled up the men would simply come down and get them, Jake guided Alannah’s hands to the rope and then gave it a tug. Immediately, they were pulled upward, out of the minimal safety the broken motorboat had offered and into the unknown.

Seconds later, hands reached out and grabbed hold of them, hauling them over the side of the boat and tossing them down onto the deck. Alannah stayed close to him, her fingers reaching out to grab his and holding onto him tightly, but she didn't cower under the leering stares of the men surrounding them, and for that, he was so very proud of her.

Bravery wasn't the lack of fear, it was simply doing what you had to do despite being afraid. Which was exactly what his sunshine was doing, and it made him love her so much more.

There was no point in denying it.

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