Page 42 of Turn the Tide
Am I okay? Can I do this?
Eric, who’d moved farther into the rig, caught her eye and came back, while the others spread out and up to cut power and begin their sweeps, every movement sure and silent. Von disappeared up the ladder like a ghost, and even Ans, despite his bulk, climbed with the light, confident grace of a dancer.
I don’t belong here.
Close enough to whisper, Eric slid a hand behind her nape. “You okay?”
“What if I have to kill someone?”
“You won’t. And you can wait in the boat, if you want to.”
She hesitated. Did she? She’d been so certain before, but this was way out of her comfort zone. Coming back here, attacking people and maybe hurting them. It made her throat tight and her stomach queasy. But still… “I want to help.”
“Then stay. I’ve got your back.” He meant it.
He trusted her. She couldn’t let him down.
Zoe squared her shoulders. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”
Eric squeezed her nape one last time. After a second’s hesitation, he leaned in and pecked her on the mouth before turning away with a funny little grin.
When her belly flip-flopped this time, it was from something other than fear.
They headed silently toward their assigned floor. At the first metal door, Eric stopped to look over what appeared to be a blueprint of the rig for emergency evacuation. After that, he advanced quickly through long, lit corridors. The place was eerily quiet as they walked past the mess hall and an engine room before spotting what was clearly marked as the engine control room. The last place to check on this level.
Zoe and Eric each stood to one side of the door. He signaled to her to keep back.Breathe in, breathe out.He opened the door, slid inside, and, right on time, the lights went dark.
