Cash

by Tess Oliver

  The smell of fuel filled the air, and heat from the motor formed a misty cloud over the cold water. We pulled in the long line and the container popped open. A two man life raft slowly unfolded and filled with air. I checked my ammo and motioned for Zeke to quiet the motor again. “Don’t want you two to pass out from carbon monoxide. I need you guys to keep them busy.”

  “How are we going to do that?” Zeke asked.

  “That’s your fucking problem. Unless you’d rather be the one climbing into the raft. The bright yellow canvas on that raft is meant to catch attention. We’re trying to avoid that, remember? Now, I know a guy like you has a knife tucked away somewhere. Hand it over so I can cut Seton loose if they used rope.”

  Zeke reached down and pulled a blade from his boot. I shoved it into mine.

  Dan twisted around and looked back toward the cove. “I think I hear another boat.”

  “Great, that’ll make this adventure at sea that much more fun.” I opened the tiny gate that led to a ledge along the back of the boat. The fumes were nearly overwhelming as I hopped into the raft. There were two oars strapped inside. I loosened them and knelt at the front to get a good position for rowing.

  The farther I got from the boat, the more the air temperature dropped. My breath came out in short white puffs as I pulled the oar through the water. The raft was sturdy, built for a possible long time at sea, and it moved easily over the choppy water. I traveled far out of the circle of their view. In the distance, I heard Zeke trying futilely to strike up a compromise. Hearty laughter boomed over the water in response.

  For the first leg of the journey, the boat was traveling against the current. Icy water splashed over the edge of the raft soaking my sweater and pants. But once I’d circled around far enough, the current became my friend, and all I had to do was use the oar as a rudder to keep my course. A few shots were fired between boats. With nothing for sound waves to bounce off of, it was nearly impossible to tell which direction they’d come from.

  By the time the raft came down over a good sized swell, I was just yards from the stern. The activity was still up front, but Seton sat on the back bench across from the stern. I could see him clearly. His hands were tied behind his back, and his face had met with a few angry fists. His eyes were closed, and he hadn’t seen the bright yellow raft.

  I pushed up right below the stern and tied the raft to a cleat on the back. Seton’s head popped up as I pulled myself onto the deck. He stared at me as if a sea creature had just pulled itself on board.

  I pressed my finger to my mouth to hush him and ducked down. I raised three fingers in the air and motioned toward the front of the boat. His one eye was swollen shut and his chin and shirt were covered in blood, but he understood what I was asking. He nodded. There were three other men on board. I’d already injured one, and hopefully, in the process, rendered him useless.

  From my vantage point, I could see Drake’s boat and the two brothers, but they were hardly doing their part to keep the guys up front occupied. And it wouldn’t take the men on this boat long to notice the lack of a shipmate on the fishing trawler. There was a quiet lull in conversation and gunfire as both sides seemed to be deciding what to do next.

  I pulled out the knife and carved through the nylon rope, which was much harder to cut than natural rope. With his hands free, Seton leaned down and cut the rope around his feet, while I snuck a peek at the front of the boat. The man I’d shot was sitting huddled against a bench along the bow, too steeped in pain to notice me.

  Just as I glanced toward the front, one of the men yelled out over the water. “Where is the third man? Tell him to show himself, now!”

  Zeke and Dan didn’t reply. I looked back at Seton. His feet were free. I motioned for him to climb over the stern. He hesitated, seemingly waiting for me to follow, but I waved him on. We would never escape in an inflatable raft with gunshots raining down on us. I peered around the corner of the pilot house and raised my gun. I shot the leg of the man who had just shouted across the water. He fell to the side, but I’d lost sight of the third man. Then the barrel of his gun pressed against my temple, helping me to secure his location.

  “Drop the gun, hot shot.”

  The Glock bounced onto the wood deck.

  “I don’t want to shoot you right here on my boat and leave any evidence or mess on my pretty deck. So, I’m going to need you to walk to the front. Then I can shoot you as you jump off the bow.”

  “Sort of like walking the plank without the benefit of a plank,” I said.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, sort of like that.” He pushed the gun against my head, and we walked to the front. His companions were both sitting in puddles of their own blood.

  My executioner shook his head at the sorrowful sight. “You just made fucking Swiss cheese of my shipmates, and you set free my hostage. But I was getting tired of his sniveling anyhow. Where’d you come from? I never saw you with those other fools.” Before I could respond, he laughed. “Don’t tell me you came from that stupid, old town on the other side of the cove.”

  “Yep. That’s where I’m from.”

  I climbed up onto the railing and balanced there, staring down at the black water below. It seemed suddenly ironic that I’d always wanted to live by the ocean and now I’d be spending an eternity in it. This time I wasn’t going to cheat death. I glanced around and saw no real way out of this. I wondered, briefly who would mourn for me. Jericho and Angel would be upset…and Esme. I’d finally met someone who I’d felt a profound attachment to, and now I was leaving her the hard way. I figured my best bet was to jump out far and sink beneath the surface fast. I’d still be like a fish in a barrel for the first few seconds, but it was my only chance.

  I sucked in a breath and leapt off the boat. Gunfire exploded behind me as I shut my eyes and dropped underwater. The water was cold enough to knock the breath from me, but I couldn’t feel any pain. There were two possibilities. Either he’d missed me completely or I was dead. I swam blindly for as long as I could without needing a breath and then my head broke the surface. I gulped in the briny, night air. There was no one standing on the deck I’d just left.

  I looked around. Another boat had joined us. It was the Molly Ray and its captain was just lowering his rifle.

  “Bentley?” My voice shook from the cold and from thinking I was a dead man.

  “Yep,” he said.

  “Did you get him?” I swam toward his boat.

  “Sure did.”

  “You’re one helluva shot,” Banyon called across the water.

  “Soldier,” Ben said confidently.

  I reached his boat, and two of his neighbors helped me on board. My body shook from the cold.

  “There are some of those emergency foil blankets in the safety kit,” Ben said. “Get that boy wrapped up.”

  I unraveled the foil blanket and wrapped it around my shoulders. I surveyed the water. “Where’s Seton?”

  Ben pointed over to the Tail Chaser. Zeke and Dan were helping Seton onto the boat. “You boys better get yourselves out of here for now,” Ben said. “The coast guard has been alerted, and they’re on their way. You’re not off the hook, just so you understand.” He looked over at me. “In fact, why don’t you go with them Cash. It’s too cold for you to sit out here wet. I’ll give them a rundown of what happened. I’m sure you’ll have to talk to them eventually, but I’ll be sure to let them know that you were being a good Samaritan.” Before I could respond he whistled across the water. “Banyon bring that boat within jumping distance. Cash needs to get dry. Take him back to the village. I imagine a certain person will be waiting anxiously for his return.” He winked at me. At home he tottered around looking and seeming older than he actually was, but out here on his boat, with his rifle and fucking amazing shooting skills, he was a completely different person.

  “Shit, Ben, who knew you were such a badass.” I stood up and walked over to hug him. “Thanks, I definitely owe you one now.”

  “Just
get yourself home before you catch cold.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Zeke pulled the Tail Chaser closer, and even though my legs were numb I managed to jump across to the bow like a bird flying with silver foil wings. I walked to the stern and sat down next to Seton.

  He glanced over. “Thanks, man. Sorry I’ve been an asshole to you.”

  “Yeah, you pretty much were.” I stretched my legs out and wrapped the foil blanket around me.

  Zeke turned the boat in the direction of Tucker’s Village. The cool breeze added to the chill I was feeling, but soon we’d be back in town, and I’d be back with Esme.

  There wasn’t much to talk about as we glided back to the marina. No doubt everyone on board was trying to calculate just how much trouble they were in. Seton’s face was swollen black and blue, and he looked miserable.

  There were a few light strands still lit as we reached the pier. The festivities had ended abruptly. There were only a few people left on the dock as we pulled in. I was sure that Esme had gone to the hospital with her dad. Jean, the wife of one of the men on Ben’s boat, was tucked deep into a winter coat looking rightfully distressed.

  “Have you seen the Molly Ray?” she called out as we tied off the boat.

  “Yep,” I answered. “And Bill’s fine. He’s waiting with Ben to meet the coast guard. Ben saved the day.”

  She smiled. “Doesn’t surprise me. He’s an excellent marksman.”

  I stepped up onto the dock. “Did Esme go with her dad to the hospital?”

  She looked slightly puzzled by the question. “I saw them put Greg Drake into the ambulance, but I didn’t see Esme anywhere near. There was some chaos earlier because the lights went out, electrical overload, so it was hard to tell who was who. But now that you mention it that does seem odd that she would have left before her father was safely inside the ambulance.”

  I took off before she’d said the last word. I tossed the foil blanket in the trash can and ran for Esme’s house. Twister was sitting on the dark porch. I knocked hard, nearly busting the door off its hinges. There was no answer.

  “Fuck,” I threw my fist into the door and it left a nice dent. I glanced around. She still had no phone. I had no idea where her friends lived, but I raced back to the pier to ask. She had to be with one of them. The running back and forth helped warm me up, but it did nothing to slow down my heart. Something was wrong, I could sense it.

  Chapter 25

  Esme

  Clint’s cold fingers twisted the skin on my wrist painfully as he dragged me to the padlock on the lighthouse. “I saw your jeep here the other night so I know you can get inside.”

  During the midst of the blackout, I’d run back to the house to get my thick coat. The medics had been working on my dad and were prepping him for the ride to the hospital. I’d pleaded with the driver to wait five minutes while I got my coat, and he’d agreed. Only instead of running back to the house, I’d run into Clint. He was drunk and angry and looking for some satisfying ending to his night. Unfortunately, it seemed I was that ending. He’d seen Cash get on my dad’s boat. And coward that Clint was, he’d seized the opportunity.

  I stood there with my jaw firmly set to show him I had no intention of helping him. The red light of an ambulance sped by below on the highway. “Help!” I screamed. The side of Clint’s hand smacked my mouth, and I stumbled back. My free hand flew to my mouth. I could taste blood, and tears stung my eyes.

  He grunted in rage and kicked the padlock. It opened. He chuckled dryly. “I guess that’s it. No secret opening. Just a broken lock.”

  He pulled me forward and shoved me inside the lighthouse. It was pitch black and freezing. On a dark night like this, it had been a haunting yet romantic place to come with Cash. Now, it was nothing short of terrifying, like Rapunzel’s tall cement tower. While my hair was thick enough to play the part, it was definitely not long enough. And none of it mattered because my prince was out at sea facing down the thugs who my own family had brought to Tucker’s Village. I had no idea if Cash and Seton were safe, and that thought terrified me. Something horrid could have happened and I’d have had no way of knowing.

  “There are a few pieces of wood still inside that stove,” I said shakily. “Probably fifty years old but I’m sure it’ll light. It will give us some light and warmth. Exactly what is your plan, Clint?” His name crackled out from between my chattering teeth.

  He stepped in front of me and took hold of my chin. It still ached from his hand hitting it. “I’m going to finish what I started a long time ago. No Bodhi or giant boyfriend to stop me this time. Then I’m leaving this town for good.”

  “Where’s your brother?”

  “That wimp left town the second we got back to the village. I was about to follow but—” He shook his head, and a wicked laugh echoed in the tower. “I just couldn’t leave yet.” He pulled my arm and pushed his face toward mine. I squirmed and tried get out of his grasp, but he was too strong. His mouth grazed mine. His breath was sour with alcohol. Everything about the man revolted me. I kicked out but missed him entirely. He shoved me hard, and I fell on the ground.

  “Stay right there,” he commanded, “Or next time it’s going to be my foot against that pretty face of yours instead of my hand.” He kept an eye on me as he pulled out his lighter and lit the wood.

  Salty moisture and years of rot made it burst into flames. He’d taken my bait, and now I hoped someone out there would notice the fire’s light in the small windows of the lighthouse. But with Dad in the hospital, Bodhi out of town and Cash and Seton out on the water, there was no one to notice me missing. Even Ben had left the marina with the Molly Ray. I had to find a way out of this alone.

  “What happened out there tonight?” I asked, deciding to stall his plans with conversation. “Since my dad was shot and my brother was taken hostage, I think I have a right to know what you dragged my family into.” I pushed to my feet, and he didn’t protest. Bringing up the evening had made his mood darken. I walked over to the old desk and sat down.

  Clint scrubbed his hair back and paced in front of the fire he’d just built. “I didn’t force your dad into this. I asked, and he took me up on it. So don’t put the fucking blame on me for that.”

  “No, you’re right. My dad has lost his damn mind. Hopefully this little nightmare will help him find it again. I’m guessing it was a drug deal gone terribly wrong.”

  “Only because Banyon set us up with dishonest thieves who were just out to rip us off.”

  I laughed. “Forgive me if I don’t reach out to you with sympathy, but once you stepped into that world, you were pretty much assured of meeting up with dishonest people.”

  He scowled at me. “Your tongue is still as sharp as ever.” There was a flicker of something in his face that scared the hell out of me. He reached for my arm and yanked me off the chair. I reached back, grabbed the old chair and swung it at him. A brittle leg cracked off on his shoulder, causing him more frustration than pain. He took hold of both of my arms and pushed me hard against the cold wall. It felt like ice on my back, but it wasn’t half as cold as Clint’s gaze.

  “What did you do to Hunter?” I hurled the question at him, and it caught him off guard.

  His eyes glinted with rage in the inconsistent glow of the fire. “I didn’t kill him,” he protested a bit too quickly.

  “How did you know where he fell overboard?”

  “I didn’t. I just guessed. Now shut the hell up.” He sandwiched me between the wall and his body.

  Bile rose in my throat as his cold fingers clumsily grabbed at the hem of my dress. His mouth came against mine, but I kept my lips sealed tightly. As his hand lifted up my dress, I pushed one arm free and pounded his back with my fist. He dropped my dress, reached back and grabbed my arm. He twisted it in an unnatural position. I screamed out in pain. His hand slapped my face so hard, my skull vibrated as if my brain had been shaken loose. The stark, round room spun around me. His hands fumbled again with my
dress, and I closed my eyes to stop the dizziness and to wish myself elsewhere. Then suddenly he was off me.

  Between the hard smack I’d just taken and the shadowy darkness of the room, it took me a second to make sense of what was happening. But then the giant figure in front of me made perfect sense. “Cash,” I cried.

  Clint’s face was white with terror as Cash wrapped his fingers around his throat and pushed his back up hard against the stairwell. Cash glanced up to the top. “How far do you think the drop would be from the top, weasel?” Clint clawed at Cash’s arm. His eyes bulged as he tried to suck in a breath. “Or maybe I’ll drag your sorry ass up there and just roll you down from the top.” Cash leaned closer. “Or maybe I’ll just break this skinny neck in two right now and save myself the climb up.”

  Clint’s face was bright red, and he struggled to get air.

  “What do you think, Ridgewater? We need to come up with a plan. Or did you forget what I told you? I’ll refresh your memory. I told you that if you went near her, I would kill you. I never go back on a promise.”

  I walked over and put my hand on Cash’s shoulder. “No killing. I don’t want anyone to die because of me. I couldn’t live with that.”

  The hard muscles of his shoulders softened some at my words. He held Clint’s throat a few seconds longer and then loosened his grip just enough for Clint to suck in small amounts of air. “I’ll spare you, but you’ll tell me right now what happened to Hunter Moore. You know something, so out with it.”

  Clint shifted his eyes from me to Cash, but he said nothing.

  Cash drew up his fist, and Clint shut his eyes. “All right. All right. I didn’t kill him. It was an accident.” His words came out on a cough and Cash loosened his grip a little more.

  “Talk,” Cash said.

  “Hunter had been out on his boat, and he caught Jacob and me breaking into a yacht that was moored at the Trentville marina. He said he was heading back to the village to call the police. Jacob and I were on Waverunners. We chased him down to the cove. I told him I just wanted to talk to him, you know, see if we could arrange to pay him off. I climbed onto his boat. He threw the first fist, I swear. Then I landed one square on his jaw. He flew back and hit the metal edge of the winch. He dropped like a dead fish onto the deck. I panicked. Jacob and I wrapped the anchor chain around his body and then dropped him overboard. We unfastened the anchor and then dragged his boat close enough to the village’s marina to catch the current. We’d been drinking, so we tossed the bottle onto his deck to make it look as if he’d fallen overboard drunk. No one ever questioned the missing anchor.”