Page 68 of Wayward
My turn on watch drags on for two hours with not much but housekeeping carts and men heading to the dock for early morning fishing. When Zane gets up and takes over watching, I use the shower in the bedroom with the two double beds. An impulse strikes me when I see the shaving kit on the counter. I lather up and shave off the beard. Unlike my dad for my sister’swedding, I actually manage to not cut any veins in my neck. Man, my mother and sister were pissed at him.
With the new clothes on, I head out into the bedroom where Zane is watching out the window. “I’m heading out to the dock.”
“No beard?” He nods, his lower lip shooting out in what I hope is approval.
I grab the keycard from the table and head outside. The castaway in me has been cleaned right up. This is the first time I haven’t had a beard in ten years. I run my hand over my shaven face, hoping it’s taken a few years with it. It doesn’t matter to Haley. I know it . . .
There’s a stillness to the air. It’s going to be super hot today. But we’ll be gone soon enough. I nod at the guard at the hut at the entrance to the dock. They should be looking for an ID, but I know how to carry myself in the dock. I got the I-belong-here walk down a long time ago. Long before I actually did belong.
I stroll down the dock that we ran down two nights ago and make my way down a side dock that should give me a clear view of the Zambrano slips. It’s past the time most fishermen would be out and too early for pleasure cruising.
There are some large yachts in this section of the harbor. I’m trying to glance between them to see the next dock over when a deep voice comes from the deck of the yacht I’ve just passed. “Can I help you find something?”
“I’m looking for dock fifty-nine,” I say without looking up, taking a few more steps so I can see around his vessel. And fucking hell, the speedboat is back.
“You need to go down one more,” he says. He has a European lilt to his English. Something French-like, maybe.
“Right, thanks.” I glance up at him. He’s middle-aged, with more gray at the temples than I have. And clearly not the crew of the yacht he’s standing on—he’s the owner. I wave over my shoulder. Then I stroll to the end of the dock, and when I’m surehe can’t see me, I hightail it as casually as I can back to the villa. There’s a rumbling in my gut. We need to get out of here, and we need to get out of here now. I open the door to the room, and everyone’s awake.
“Sam? Your beard.” From the look on Haley’s face, this might be the only time I don’t have a beard again.
“It’s hair. It’ll grow back. We’ve got a problem,” I say.
Chapter 30
Riptide
Calvin
“The fucking speedboat is back?” I move to the window, where we have the curtain open a tiny sliver. It’s the same view it’s been for the last few days.
“It doesn’t mean they know we’re here,” Haley says.
“No, but it sure as hell is going to make getting out to get the passports a lot harder.” I glance away from the window.
“I didn’t see anyone coming down the path who looks like one of Holloway’s guys when I was on watch,” Zane says. He took over after Sam, before I got up.
“Doesn’t mean much. If the boat’s here, they’re here.” I should have stayed up.
“They don’t know we have any money. They might search the regular rooms.” Haley puts her hand on my arm, and I breathe her in.
“You’re right. It doesn’t mean they know we’re here. We need to be careful. We had planned out that we were all going to goget the passports and have lunch. But that’s not going to happen now. Dante and I go and the rest of you stay here.”
“No,” Sam says. “You stay here. I’ll go.” He holds my stare. “You, Easton, and Zane stay with Haley. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Dante gathers his backpack, and Haley hands a wad of cash to Sam.
“You need to keep that,” Sam says.
“No. If we’re found, we’re found. But there’s always the chance that you might need it so you can evade them.” Haley puts it in his pocket. “Now don’t make me force you to take the money. Be safe.” She runs her hand down the side of his cheek. And I’m considering losing my scruffy beard too.
Sam and Dante slip out the front, and we wait.
I’m shit at waiting.
Haley comes around and sits next to me. She doesn’t say a word, knowing I need to keep all my attention on the path. Zane and Sam are watching out the front.
It’s over two hours later when the lock clicks. Sam and Dante are back.
