Page 105 of Hate Wrecked

“Hey!” I yell, and the man—Domet—turns to me as he chases. He’s fast, but I’m faster. My timehere has weakened me, but my body remains a weapon.

I’m on him within seconds, and he turns to me, knife at the ready.

I slow, and he gives up his chase. “Why the fuck were you chasing her?” I ask, voice dark.

He sneers as he holds up the knife. “Just having a morning run. You were supposed to stay put while we did our business.”

I shrug my shoulders. “And your captain was supposed to radio home so I can get offthis island.”

“You say soIcan get off this island, but what you mean iswe. You didn’t tell Butch about the woman. God, she’s a fucking beaut. I can see why the whole damn world is looking for her.” His voice is dirt, malice

“The woman is none of your business.”

He smiles, and it’s the kind of smile I will enjoy wiping off hisface. His next words chill me. “She’s about to become all of our business, if you know what I mean.”

“Touch her, and I’ll cut that smug smile off your face. With your knife.”

The smile falls from his face, but he quickly recovers. “You do know you’reoutnumbered, right?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Have been before. Doesn’t matter. Touch her, and not a single one of you will leave this island.”

From behind him, Butch and Chuck arrive. “I think it’s you who isn’t leaving this island,” Butch says.

I don’t cringe; I don’t show an inkling of surprise. I heard them coming; I can hear everything out here on these islands.Our islands.I have one of their guns in my wet bag—and I imagine they came with their own.

I’m outnumbered, yes. But they lack my skill, my sacrifice. Would they die for each other? Would they die for this mission?

I’d die for Riley.

I back up slowly, hands raised in surrender, hoping it might soothe them.

“I only want one thing,” I say, keeping my voice even, “and that’s to get home.”

“And we only want one thing,” Butch says, walking over to Domet. I see Chuck heading toward the jungle, his eyes scanning the area. Butch continues, “To tie up some loose ends. But when wearrived, you failed to mention her,” he glances at Domet, who grins. “I don’t like dishonestpeople. Good or bad, isn’t it better when we all tell the truth?”

I tense.

There’s no way they know for sure what we found.

Are they bluffing? I watch Chuck walk into the jungle. I try to still him with my words. “Is the truth buried in the bottom of the ocean?” I ask. Chuck turns back, and the men look at each other, a silent confirmation between them. I don’t care. As long as they don’t go after Riley. “You came here to clean up loose ends? Didn’t expect survivors. How’d you know the researchers wouldn’t be here?”

Butch ignores me and jerks his chin at Chuck. Chuck turns away, slipping deeper into the jungle.

I raise my voice. “Hey, where you going?” I hope Riley hears me. I hope she is long gone.

Butch steps closer. “You know, there’s no better place for a man of the sea to spend eternity than the ocean. Are you a man of the sea?”

“You need to tie up some loose ends with aman of the sea?” I ask. “Good or bad, let’s hear the truth. You came out here for a payoff, didn’t you? Not to rescue anyone. Riley’s mother is looking for her. And I’m going to bring her home.”

Butch smiles, pulling out a gun as Domet joins Chuck in chase.

So I raise my own.

WHY DO YOU RUN?

RILEY

I focuson calming my breathing, but that’s all I hear as I run through the terrain toward our home. Behind me, I hear them—one closer than the other. Then there is silence, followed by the sound of voices.

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