Page 42 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

Finally, the radio crackled.“We have visual confirmation.One male, Caucasian, severely dehydrated but conscious.Matches the description of Captain Reynolds.”

Jonathan’s eyes closed briefly, his exhale shaky.“Get him on board immediately.Full medical protocol.I want a helicopter for medical evacuation as soon as he’s stable.”

“Already in progress, sir.”

Jonathan put down the phone and turned to me, his expression a mix of disbelief and overwhelming relief.“They found him.He’s alive,” he said.

I stood on unsteady legs and crossed to him.“You did it.You never gave up.”

He pulled me in an embrace so tight, it nearly crushed the breath from my lungs.“We did it,” he corrected, his voice was rough with emotion.

In the next few hours,Reynolds was airlifted directly to the hospital, where a medical team was waiting.Jonathan insisted on being there when he arrived, and I went with him, unwilling to let him face this moment alone.

The Captain was barely recognizable—his skin burned and blistered from sun exposure, his body emaciated from weeks with minimal food and water.But his eyes were alert as they wheeled him in, scanning the room until they landed on Jonathan.

“Black,” he croaked, his voice a dry whisper.“Knew you’d...look for me.”

Jonathan moved to his side, his composure nearly breaking.“I should have listened to you about the storm.I’m sorry.”

Reynolds managed a weak shake of his head.“It’s part of the job.”His cracked lips attempted a smile.“You both...made it.”

“Thanks to Janet,” Jonathan said, glancing at me.“She kept us alive on that island.”

The doctors intervened then, insisting they needed to stabilize the Captain.As they wheeled him away, Jonathan remained rooted to the spot, watching until the doors closed behind them.

“He doesn’t blame me,” he said quietly.

“Of course, he doesn’t.He’s a professional who understands the risks of his position.”I took his hand.“Just like you need to understand that accidents happen, even to people who are used to controlling everything.”

A small smile touched his lips.“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?”

“Not a chance.”

The search teamgathered at the penthouse that night for an impromptu celebration.The relief was palpable—not just because Reynolds had been found alive against all odds but because the uncertainty had finally lifted.

I watched Jonathan move through the gathering, thanking each team member personally and making sure they understood how vital their contribution had been.This was another side of him I’d come to appreciate—the leader who recognized and valued every person’s role, not just those at the top.

Hector raised his glass in a toast.“To Mr.Black, who refused to accept impossible odds.”

“And to Captain Reynolds,” Jonathan added.“The toughest son of a bitch on the seven seas.”

“Hear!Hear!”

After the guests had left,Jonathan and I stood on the balcony, the night breeze cool against our skin.The search boats were returning to port, and their mission was complete.

“What happens now?”I asked, voicing the question that had been hovering between us for days.

Jonathan’s arm tightened around my waist.“What do you want to happen?”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I’m serious.”He turned to face me.“What do you want, Janet?Not what you think is realistic or practical, but what you truly want.”

I took a deep breath.“I want to reopen my restaurant.On my terms, creating the food I believe in.”

He nodded.“And personally?”

The sincerity in his eyes gave me courage.“I want to be with you.But not as an accessory or a charity case.As a partner.”

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