Page 82 of Forged in Secrets

Ben heard the sound of metal clattering to the floor, but it was scarcely audible over the sound of his heartbeat hammering in his ears. He was relieved that Jade was no longer armed, but the danger wasn’t over. Especially since he couldn’t see what else was going on.

“You’re coming with me,” Asher ordered. “You too, Craig.”

Ben waited until the sound of footsteps faded, and then forced himself to count out another agonizing minute, just to be sure.

He yanked the door of the pantry open and escaped into the kitchen, his eyes adjusting to the brightness of the overhead lights. He had no idea how much time he had, or if Craig and Jade had any accomplices on board. He imagined that such a big yacht would ordinarily require a crew, but so far, there was nothing to indicate the presence of anyone else.

He made his way out into the hallway, scanning the area for any hint at which direction to take.

He had to find her.

GRACE

Grace’s eyes shot open.

Somewhere overhead, she heard the faint sound of a male voice. It was deeper than Craig’s, but aside from that, she couldn’t make out any more detail.

She leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes for several long seconds. She’d been trying to pray, but it was difficult to focus.

Her mind raced as she wondered where her parents might be. She could only hope that if they were going to pay the ransom the kidnappers demanded, they would do so safely from the shore.

Her stomach twisted. Her mother and father might be willing to meet their demands, but her friends from FBS wouldn’t. Ben wouldn’t. No matter how they’d left things, he’d never abandon her. And that meant he’d put himself in danger to make sure she was safe.

The sound of footsteps began again.

She looked up at the porthole, considering the curtain rod she’d replaced once again, but it was too late.

The door swung open.

It was Ben.

For a second, she said nothing, placing her hand over her mouth as relief swelled within her chest along with all of her unspoken questions. How had he found her? Were her parents okay? Had he found Katie? Was Asher here, too? What had happened to Craig? Jade?

Without a word, Ben closed the short distance betweenthem, taking her by both hands and pulling her from the bed.

She made no attempt to shy away as he pulled her into his muscled chest, holding her tight enough to still the air in her lungs. She felt his face pressing against her hair, and then he drew back just a little, reaching down to hold her jaw carefully, tilting her face up toward his own.

“I’m so sorry, Gracie,” he said, his green eyes piercing through her as he began to speak, the words tumbling over one another as he tried to let them all out. “Thank God. Thank God you’re okay. You were right about the yacht from the start. Were it not for your instincts, Asher and I never would have–You were right about a lot more than that, but I–”

Grace lifted herself up onto her toes and kissed him.

She allowed herself to enjoy the taste of his lips for several precious seconds as he knotted his fingers in her hair, pulling her closer, speaking a thousand unspoken promises without a word.

Warmth rushed through her heart, burning away the last remnants of her frustration and hurt. None of that mattered now. She had three words to offer him, her own promise to make. Before she could blurt them out, however, Ben drew back.

“We need to move,” he said, the lingering smile falling away from his face in an instant, replacing it with the professional, calm mask he wore so often.

Grace gave his hand a squeeze. Ben Forge had finally let her see into the depths of his heart, but at the moment, she was thankful for the presence of a man who knew how to put up walls in order to protect those he loved.

“Do you have any idea where Katie is?” Ben asked ashe ducked into the hall, looking up and down the passage before ushering Grace to follow.

“They said she’s here on the boat,” she said quietly, staying only a few steps behind him as he made his way forward, gun drawn. She swallowed. “But I haven’t heard her.”

Ben turned to face her.

He reached over and tucked a lock of blonde curls behind her ear, giving her a slight smile that still reached his fierce green eyes.

“Hey. Have faith. She’s okay.”

---