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“Caleb…” Giddiness expanded in her chest, making it difficult to speak.
He’s here. He came for me.
Another thunderous thump against the door. “I’m here. I’m going to get you out.”
“It’s locked?—”
Wood splintered around the handle, and the door pitched open at a weird angle. Caleb burst into the room, a substantial crowbar gripped in his hands. He staggered for a moment, regaining his balance on the tilting floor, before his eyes locked with hers.
He dropped the crowbar and rushed forward, righting her chair and cupping her face in his hands. “Are you okay? Fuck. I thought you were gone.” His voice cracked as he crushed her against his chest.
Emotion sealed her throat closed. She wanted to tell him how much he meant to her, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she buried her face in his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of his skin, a mix of sweat, salt, and Caleb. She coughed. “My hands…”
“Shit. Yes.” He reached behind her with a knife from his belt and sliced her hands free.
She winced as the circulation returned to her fingers, a tingling sensation that soon turned to a searing pain.
“It’s gonna hurt like hell for a minute.” He cradled her hands in his, his touch gentle as he rubbed her blood-blanched palms with the pads of his thumbs.His gaze landed on her swollen, bleeding wrists, and a muscle ticked in his cheek. “Fuck, Grace. What did they do to you?” The anger in his voice simmered beneath the surface.
She shook her head and rested her forehead on his shoulder, drawing strength from his presence as each throb of her pulse jolted agony through her hands. “I don’t care. You’re here. That’s all that matters.” She swallowed hard, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry about the things I said. I didn’t mean?—”
“Hush.” He silenced her with a kiss. “It doesn’t matter. I know you were only trying to protect me.”
He kissed her again, then swiped a tear off her cheek with the pad of his thumb. The ship groaned loudly. Caleb lifted his head, scanning the cabin for signs of immediate danger. “We need to get out of here. Can you stand?”
With a shaky in-breath, she found her voice once more, his presence breathing life back into her depleted body. “I think so.” She straightened her aching legs, gritting her teeth as the movement sent a fresh wave of agony through her arms. The muscles in her thighs trembled, but she refused to let it show.
Caleb wrapped an arm around her waist, his grip reassuring as he supported her weight. She took a tentative step forward, her legs trembling from the cold and the adrenalin, freezing water sucking around her thighs.
“Water’s rising. And fast. Come on.” His voice was urgent as he lifted one of her arms across his shoulders, taking on more of her weight as he helped her navigate through the wrecked door and into the narrow corridor on the other side. The Far Horizon protested, the sound of gushing water growing louder with each passing second.
“They anchored the ship, disabled the controls and abandoned ship. She’s taking on water fast.”
Sickening realization dawned on Grace. “Abandoned?”
“Coast Guard cutter is en route to intercept their life raft.”
Richard had left her to die. It didn’t surprise her, not after everything he’d done, but it still cut deep. She drew in a shuddering breath, forcing herself to focus on the present, on the man beside her who had come for her. Caleb.
Ahead, faint light filtered from the main salon—their way out. Together, they waded forward, each step a battle against the rising water and hazardous floor. She clung to his harness, anchoring herself to his strength. “Why did you come?”
He turned to look at her. “Because I had to. I wouldn’t let him hurt you again.” Fierce protectiveness gleamed in his eyes. He slid two fingers under her chin. “I’m not letting go of you ever again.”
Suddenly, it was hard to breathe. “I feel the same?—”
The boat canted violently, the floor tipping at a steep angle, and the door to the salon slammed shut with a sickening thud. The sound echoed like a gunshot.
Grace lost her balance, colliding with Caleb, a cry of surprise escaping her lips as she scrabbled to right herself.
“Fuck.” His hold steadied her, but frustration clipped his voice. “Wait here.” He pressed her hands around the corridor rail, ensuring she had a secure grip before heading toward the door. He grabbed the handle and yanked it, tendons on his neck popping with the effort, but the door remained shut.
“Okay.” He paced back, rammed hard with his shoulder. The door shuddered but held fast, refusing to budge.
“Caleb, the crowbar.” She hurried as fast as the water would allow back into the cabin to collect the tool.
When she returned, Caleb was pressing one palm against the door, his brow furrowed in concentration as if assessing the situation on the other side. “There’s an obstruction blocking the door. Something must have fallen or jammed against it. This route is compromised.” His mouth thinned. “We need an alternative exit.”
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