Page 61 of Tempt Me
"To safety," I reply, not wanting to reveal our plans until we're certain we're not being followed. "Just keep moving."
We finally reach the steps and begin our descent toward the beach. It feels like an eternity as we make our way down, one step at a time, but eventually, we reach the bottom.
A small boat is waiting for us at the small jetty, bobbing along with a few others, just as planned. Helping Rue on board, I turn to look for the key under the mat in the unlocked and otherwise empty bench seat. The engine roars to life as I turn the key in the ignition, and we speed off into the night.
I can still hear gunfire in the distance as we sail away from danger.
Looking back at the villa in the moonlight, Rue asks, "Any ideas?"
"Of who they were? No."
"Were," she snorts. "Yeah, fucking dicks."
"Obviously were," I say, trying not to laugh. "Vik wasn't in the mood to keep survivors."
"Do you think he's okay? He was bleeding."
"Pretty sure your dad wouldn't be taken out if a nuclear bomb landed on top of him. He's fine."
"Hope so. Did you see my mom?"
"No, but she's as tough as Vik. She's also fine."
"Yeah."
We fall into silence as I take us further out to sea to eventually make our way around the neighboring bay of Neilstown further up the coast. There is a safe house where we can go to where I know Rue will be safe until Vik or Fran contacts us to come home.
The cool sea breeze hits our faces as the boat cuts through the waves. The sound of the motor is the only noise, but it's a soothing hum that offers a bit of comfort in this crazy situation. I turn to Rue; her eyes are closed, and her face is turned toward the wind.
"How are you feeling?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
She opens her eyes and looks at me, her gaze steady. "I'm okay, considering."
"Considering?"
"Well, we just narrowly escaped from a bunch of armed men who were trying to kill us," she says with a shrug. "But we're alive, so that's something."
I nod in agreement. "Yeah, that is definitely something. We'll be at the safe house soon, and you'll be able to rest and recover."
"I'm not tired," she protests.
"I didn't mean just physically," I say softly. "Mentally, emotionally... all of it. You've been through a lot."
She nods slowly, and I can see her guard rising even further. "Yeah. No shit."
We sail in silence for a few minutes longer until the dock comes into view. As we approach, I slow down to a stop and anchor the boat.
"It's not far," I say quietly as we step out onto the jetty.
Rue takes in our surroundings with a quick glance before looking back at me. "They were after me."
After a hefty pause, I nod slowly. "Seems so." The yell of 'Get her' makes that a distinct possibility. "And you've no idea who any of them were?"
"They were speaking Italian, most of them. Only that one guy who spoke rough English."
"What does that mean?" My frown deepens as we start walking across the sand towards the small road we need to cross over to get to the safe house.
"They were from Arachon. Or connected to it or Antonio."
