Page 88 of Then We Shatter

“Just bad luck, I suppo–”

I thump his chest. “Not the time for jokes, durak!” Idiot.

He pulls me to him and as I sob into his shoulder, Killian rocks me without another word. When I’ve calmed a little, he maneuvers us so he can open another box. I hear rustling and when I finally lift my head, he’s waiting with Kleenex, a bottle of water and a Snickers bar.

I blow my nose and sip some water. “We can still bring down Vasili’s helicopter,” I say with a sniffle.

“We can that,” he agrees with a lopsided smile that has more to do with pure devilment than his brain injury. “But it’s back on the boat so you need to eat this.” He tears open the Snickers bar. “We have to leave while it’s still dark. They’ll be searching for us or our bodies at first light. I have wet suits and scuba jets to do the hard work for us, but it’s still going to be a challenge.”

He doesn’t come right out and say it’s going to be particularly challenging for him, but I don’t need him to spell it out. Killian’s struggle to climb onto the ledge wasn’t just because his Kevlar vest was restricting him. His left side is still weak.

I take a bite of the Snickers and offer the next bite to him. “Eat, and then it’s your turn to strip so I can see to your wounds. From now on, we look after each other.”

Chapter 33

Rick

When another wave crests over my scuba jet, I’m pulled back towards the island. It’s my first attempt to return to the boat since arriving on Blackwater Rock and this fucking hellhole is determined to keep us captive. The engine is at full throttle, but the boat’s signal, emitted through a series of beeps in my earpiece, isn’t getting any stronger. Nor am I.

I’m so close to saying to hell with it. If we can’t get back, we’ll find another way. Sheer will got me to the top of the cliff yesterday in the race to get to Katarina, and I’d happily climb it again. Every hour that Vasili and Grigor get to breathe is an hour wasted.

I do understand why Sasha doesn’t want her cover blown. If we kill Vasili first and Grigor’s distracted by a power grab, she’ll have the perfect opportunity to dig up the last of Vasili’s secrets, and that’s going to include who told him about the Griffins’ escape plan. It could have been Malachy, or else there’s a spy the Bratva planted amongst us. Until I know who I can trust, I’ll continue living as a ghost and my family will go on grieving.

While I’m choking down sea water and guilt, Katarina’s scuba jet is pushing ahead. It’s too dark to see her clearly, but I’ve been tracking where the waves break around her. She’s winning, and I’ll be damned if she leaves me behind.

Kicking my legs furiously, I take a gulp of air and lower my head, spearing the next wave, and the next. When I look up, I catch the whites of Katarina’s eyes as she seeks me out. The pull of the island is weakening as I come alongside her.

Strands of her short hair whip across her face. “Lead the way, zhizn moya!” My life.

“I’d rather we stay close,” I reply, reaching out a hand.

“Sweet, but no,” she says, ignoring the gesture. “We’ll be faster if I follow in your wake.” Knowing I’m about to refuse, she adds. “You’re not going to lose me again and I’m not going to lose you. The fates can’t be that cruel. Now, do as you’re told and get me out of this goddamn ocean.”

“Fine, but I’ll be watching you,” I mutter, giving her a warning look as I pull ahead.

“You’re not allowed to look back, not once. Concentrate on getting us to the boat,” she argues. “Consider it a test of faith.”

That fucking woman.

Reluctantly, I do as I’m told. Katarina is a force of nature and the entire Pacific Ocean can’t keep us apart. I refocus on finding the boat, relaxing that little bit more when the intermittent beeps in my ear increase in frequency.

Dawn is a few hours away, but we have an ever-narrowing window of opportunity to take down Vasili. He won’t hang around for the outcome of the search. The safety of the island has been compromised, and he doesn’t know who did it or if there’ll be a second attack. We need to make contact with Sasha to find out the helicopter’s exact flight path so we can be within range to bring it down.

When I see the dark silhouette of the fishing boat against the sapphire horizon, I break Katarina’s rule and check behind me. She’s there, and despite my aching muscles, warmth floods my body and eases my soul. I did it. I got her back.

The fifty-foot wooden vessel is old but sturdy. It’s a regular in these waters and its presence hasn’t raised suspicion so far. The wheelhouse is towards the aft and a dim light shines within, outlining Niko at the helm. He’s in his early thirties and clearly doesn’t need much sleep because as soon as I’m close enough to whistle, he’s there to help us aboard.

Niko’s been good company during this mission. He can talk almost as much as I can, but when he sees Katarina in her wet suit, his jaw falls open and he’s struck dumb.

“You’re staring,” Katarina says, then tips her head to me. “He won’t like it.”

“He doesn’t,” I confirm as I come to stand behind Katarina and wrap an arm around her waist. “And as much as I like you, Niko. I’ll not think twice about plucking your eyes out if you don’t stop looking at my woman.”

Niko blinks a few times, and it’s like he’s switching his brain off and on again to restart it. It must work because he spins on his heels and grabs a couple of towels from a basket. His head is bowed and his gaze averted when he hands them to us.

“I… I’ve taken some messages from your contacts,” he stumbles. “Echo-Five-One-Five wants proof of life.”

I won’t use Sasha’s name in front of Niko, but I motion with my eyes in the direction of the island so Katarina knows who’s been worrying about her.