Page 89 of Viper

Havoc’s eyes glittered with irritation. “You’re not hearing me, dude. Clearly, he could’ve taken her anywhere. Did his boat get seized?”

Troy froze. “I have no idea. I think a yacht would be hard to hide.”

“Right. But if it never got seized, it’s likely he did hide it and they’re on the water now.”

Jesus. He’d all but ruled out Craig taking her on the ocean. But if he had, there was no telling where they were now.

“Call your contact,” Troy demanded. “See what you can find out.”

Havoc’s phone was already in his hand.

Dammit, Paige. Where are you?

The afternoon sun beat down on the boat. Paige sat on the hot, smooth bench seat staring out at the endless sea around them. The waves glittered beneath the sky, the water a deep, dark blue.

Some people dove this far from shore, but she never had. If she really focused, she could almost see the shoreline to the east—just a fine line on the horizon.

She’d never make it.

“Thinking about a swim?” Craig taunted, as he waltzed to the deck from the open slider.

“Maybe later.”

His mouth slanted and his eyes creased with interest. “You’re funny. I liked that about you right off the bat.”

“Which prompted you to tie me up and promise to feed me to the sharks?” She didn’t hide the dryness in her question.

That earned another ugly grin. Ugh, how had she ever thought him attractive? Especially when she’d had a man like Troy back in Pittsburgh.

She and Troy’s interest in each other had been complicated, messy, and hangover inducing. But compared to this shitshow with Craig, ironing out her love life with Troy would’ve been a walk in the park.

Craig sat next to her and stroked his finger over her cheek. “You don’t understand me yet, starfish. But you will.” His threat hung in the heavy air.

She jerked her face from his touch. “Can you please take this stupid thing off?” She wiggled her hands. “It’s not like I can swim from here.”

He looked behind her back. His eyes narrowed and his mouth flattened. “I’m going to need your hands free soon, anyway.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife. He flicked open the blade.

She tensed.

He brought the knife close to her neck. “Remember when I cut your boyfriend with this? Too bad I didn’t have better footing. I would’ve strung his intestines in the water like a fishnet.”

Her cheeks heated. “You’re insane.”

His brows lifted. “Keep moving those pretty little lips. I might take one off.”

Terror filled her mouth and then washed right back down to eat at the lining of her stomach. Her gaze landed on the water dancing around the boat.

If it came down to it, she’d jump.

She didn’t want to die, but she’d take the lesser evil any day.

Craig moved behind her back and the zip tie fell away. She gasped with surprise, then quickly shook out her arms and rolled her shoulders, the muscles aching with relief. She might have a shot now. She could fight him. Get to her phone. Maybe even⁠—

He caught her arm and slapped a handcuff on her wrist.

She stared at the new restraint. “What are you doing?”

He latched the other cuff to the railing around the edge of the boat. “Just making sure you don’t get any bright ideas.”