Page 49 of Two Favors Repaid

Emma nodded silently.

“I don’t think so.” Ford picked up a roll of duct tape and juggled it from one hand to another.

That’s my duct tape.

Ford approached Rob almost casually, broke a large piece, and taped it over Rob’s mouth, holding his nose closed for long seconds. Rob thrashed.

“I could kill you,” he threatened.

“Please don’t hurt him, we’ll do whatever you say.”

“I’m glad you’re so willing, Emma. Here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to dry those tears, rearrange your clothes and come upstairs with me. You’re going to convince Rob’s friend out there that everything is alright, that you’re just out here on a romantic getaway. If you signal to her in any way, if I get the feeling you’re even thinking about signaling to her, I will slice his throat.”

Ford undid her cuffs but put a large paw behind Emma’s neck, pressing hard until Emma whimpered.

“And you,” Ford threatened, looking at Rob. “You and I are going to stay down here together quietly. Make a noise, bother me in any way, and I will kill you before I go out there and kill both women.”

Emma rubbed her wrist, which was red and swollen.

“Cover that with your sleeve. And use this on your face,” Ford instructed, handing her a dripping cloth.

Emma nodded, wiping her face. Rob could see her struggling to compose her expression.

Finally, she looked in his direction, her eyes luminous pools of hurt. If he could only communicate how badly he needed her to get off this boat …

Get on the jet ski and ride off. Get on the jet ski and ride off.

Ford broke the moment and pushed her forward. “Don’t bother looking at him. Look at me instead, angel. I’ll be down here waiting for you.”

Behind the duct tape, Rob gritted his teeth. He watched Emma walk on shaky legs to the stairs, grabbing on to the banister for support. Moments later, she was gone. He’d never wanted anything as badly as he wanted to kill Ford at that moment.

Chapter 15

Emma

For a moment, just before Ford pushed her up the stairs, Rob had been trying to tell her something. But she didn’t know what. Should she ask for help? Should she follow Ford’s instructions? She felt like every other second generated new choices for her, but they all seemed to be bad choices. She wasn’t able to play through any scenarios that didn’t end up with her or Rob—or both of them—dead.

Her knees were shaking so badly, she had trouble letting go of the banister as she emerged into the light. She breathed in deep, amazed at how oppressive the air down in the galley had felt.

For a second she marveled at the lightening sky. She’d thought she might never see the sky again.

Then a swell smacked against the side and the boat lurched. There was water everywhere around her. Emma focused on keeping her legs under her, ignoring the panic that threatened to engulf her.

“Emma?” Jessy asked. “Is that you?” Her jet ski idled just a few feet away from the boat, on the starboard side.

Emma smoothed her hair with her hands. She knew it was a mess, but Jessy would probably attribute it to a different kind of activity.

“Jessy, hi, how are you?” Emma asked, struggling to keep her voice even. Her eyes threatened to fill with tears, but she pushed them back. This was not a time to cry.

“Good, thanks. I’m looking to tag a young shark that I tagged ... never mind, long story. I know Rob doesn’t usually go out on his boat before work, so I was getting worried. I see I shouldn’t have been,” Jessy grinned, looking amused.

Emma gave what she hoped sounded like an embarrassed laugh, though to her ears it sounded like a loud cackle.

“We’re okay, thanks for asking.” It seemed she should add something else. “Rob’s downstairs cooking breakfast, would you like to join us?”

Jessy laughed openly at that. “I don’t think so, not today. Thanks anyway, but I should be on my way.”

“Thanks for stopping to say hi.”