By Sea

by Carly Fall

  Margarita shrugged. “I never gave him my real name until we broke up. I was trying to explain to him why we couldn’t be together.”

  Questions swirled through Brody’s mind. Was this an attempted murder of a lover, or was the head of the DiMarco Cartel trying to hurt his rival, Daniel Gomez, by killing his daughter? How had Rayna gotten a job with the CIA? How had they not found out about her father?

  Rayna shook her head again. “I don’t even know what to say, Margarita,” she murmured.

  “I’d really just like to take my wine to my room,” Margarita announced, standing. Neither Brody nor Rayna tried to stop her.

  Rayna glanced at him. “We’re in trouble,” she whispered.

  Brody nodded and suddenly had a thought. “How do they know where she is?”

  Sitting back on the couch, she crossed her arms over her chest, staring out into space. After a moment she said, “I don’t know. It’s not like anyone knew where she was going. She’s scared, and I can’t see her being that dumb to tell anyone before she left. She’s got the son of a Cartel leader after her, for God’s sake.”

  Brody stared at Rayna as she tried to figure out how the Cartel had their location.

  “So if no one knows where she is, and we’ve taken away her phone and computer, how did this happen?”

  “I don’t know,” Rayna mumbled.

  They sat in silence for a moment, the tension between them almost palpable. Yes, Rayna’s theory made sense, but the fact of the matter was she didn’t have any proof to back it up, which led him back to thinking Rayna herself was responsible. He wanted her to find an answer that made sense.

  She stood and paced the room, a crease forming between her brows as she concentrated.

  “Think, Rayna,” Brody said. “How could her location get out to the rest of the world? It’s not like she’s been trolling social media or anything. We’ve had her contained. And if your theory is right, she doesn’t want anyone to know where she is.”

  Rayna stopped in her tracks. “Oh, no,” she whispered, her eyes wide as she ran her hand through her hair.

  “What?”

  “Brody, we need a computer. I think I may have just figured it out.”

  Chapter 39

  Brody pulled out Margarita’s computer and plugged it in. They huddled around it as it came to life, and Rayna went to Margarita’s Facebook fan page. They scrolled around for a moment, and then Rayna saw it.

  “There it is,” she murmured, tapping the screen. “That picture was taken a few days ago at the dock.”

  They stared at the picture. The fan grinned widely, while Margarita smiled sultrily. Boats floated behind them in the distance, and to the Margarita’s left, there was a small sign that read, “Welcome to St. Thomas Marina.”

  “I feel so stupid!” Rayna said, putting her head in her hands. “Why didn’t I see that as a problem?”

  Some CIA agent she was.

  The fact of the matter was she never even considered the fan would post the picture all over social media. It was never a blip on her radar. She kept to herself and wanted nothing to do with social media, while Margarita was just the opposite. She wanted the world to know her, to love her, to know what she was doing at all times.

  Rayna glanced at the computer again and studied the picture. The fan had posted it on Margarita’s timeline, with the date and location of where the picture had been taken.

  “According to this, just over thirty thousand people have seen this post,” Rayna murmured. “There are twenty thousand ‘likes,’ and just under fifteen thousand comments.”

  She scrolled down, looking at the comments. Most claimed envy that the fan had met Margarita, some said how sexy Margarita looked, while others wished her a good trip.

  “Well, at least we know how it happened,” Brody said. “If her ex-boyfriend saw that and sent someone down here, all they’d need to do was talk to a few people on the dock and figure out which boat she boarded. Finding a yacht in the Virgin Islands isn’t exactly rocket science.”

  “I should have just called Miguel myself and saved him the trouble,” Rayna said, sitting back in her chair. “I just can’t believe this.”

  Brody placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I need to call a meeting and let the rest of the crew know the new developments.”

  She nodded, and shut the laptop. “I’m so sorry, Brody,” she said, not meeting his gaze.

  He said nothing, but really, what did she expect him to say? That it wasn’t a big deal? That everything would be okay? They had a goddamned Cartel after them. It was a very big deal, and certainly not okay.

  “I’ll go get the rest of the crew,” Brody said, leaving her in the Main Salon by herself.

  Chapter 40

  As Rayna sat at the dining room table, the sun was rising over the ocean. The darkness gave way to grey, and eventually, the grey would turn to sunny, blue skies defying any logic that it was possible there had been an attack on the boat.

  Danny, Heidi, Brody, Katie, and Jason also sat around the table. Danny had prepared some coffee and brought out some scones. Rayna felt too sick to eat, and the coffee bit into her gut. However, she needed the caffeine, as she was certain it was going to be a long day.

  “Where are we at with the damage?” Brody asked.

  Rayna half-listened as Heidi and Katie gave their reports of the inside of the ship, and Rayna was happy to hear the damage was minimal.

  “The biggest repair is going to be replacing the bullet proof windows that cracked or were scratched,” Heidi said. Rayna glanced over at her and wondered if the woman ever smiled. She’d spoken very little to Rayna on this trip, which was fine with her. The woman just seemed unhappy and nasty.

  “What about the hull and engines?” Brody asked, looking at Jason.

  “The hull looks good, just a couple of scratches and dents. It will need some paint, but there aren’t any holes, and it’s functional.”

  Jason then went on to talk about the engines, and he might as well have been speaking Chinese for all Rayna understood.

  “So we’ll be able to get under way as soon as the sun is fully up, right?” Brody asked.

  Jason shook his head. “That one pump is giving us trouble again, Brody. It wasn’t damaged by a bullet, but its not working.”

  “Okay. That’s your job today, Jason. I want us out of here as soon as possible. I don’t think anything will happen in broad daylight, but I’d like to get us back to St. Thomas Marina today, and get everyone off the boat.”

  “Why don’t we just take the tender to shore?” Rayna asked. “Can’t someone get us from there?”

  Where they were anchored at Jost Van Dyke didn’t have a beach, but rocky cliffs. Rayna figured somewhere on the island there had to be a place where they could land the small boat.

  Heidi rolled her eyes. “Obviously, you haven’t looked at the tender. It’s full of holes,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and “aren’t you a dumbass.”

  Rayna wanted to break her teeth, but decided the last thing they needed right now was a fistfight.

  “The jet skis are inoperable as well,” Katie said. “They did suffer some damage in the attack.”

  “It’s too far for us to paddleboard,” Brody noted. “Besides, if they come back, we’ll be sitting ducks out on the boards.”

  “Agreed,” Jason murmured.

  “Who do you think did this, Brody?” Katie asked.

  Brody glanced over at Rayna. She straightened up in her chair and looked around the table. “I’m sorry,” she said, looking each crewmember in the eye. “I’m very sorry you are all involved in this.”

  “What is this?” Heidi snarled.

  Rayna stared at the miserable woman, and she reminded herself not to lose her cool. “To make a long story short, my sister does not have a crazy fan after her, she has a Mexican Cartel.”

  The room went dead silent for a moment, and then Danny said, “You’re kidding, right?”

>   Rayna shook her head. “I wish I was, Danny. His name’s Miguel DiMarco.”

  She gave them the brief version of her sister’s story. “I couldn’t figure out how they found her as I know she’s scared to death by what’s happened. But finally, I figured it out.”

  Rayna told them about the picture being posted to Margarita’s Facebook page.

  Heidi snorted. “That wasn’t very smart of you,” she murmured.

  Rayna glared at the woman. “I’m aware of that, but thank you for pointing it out.”

  “Jesus,” Jason whispered, staring up at the ceiling. “Then all they would have to do is ask about the boats and yachts that dock in the marina.”

  “It would take some time, but yes. That’s why we’re four days into this and just now getting a visit,” Brody said.

  Guilt washed over Rayna as she looked around the table. She didn’t want these people in harms way. “Again, I’m so sorry,” she said.

  “It’s okay,” Katie said, giving her a small smile. Heidi glared at her while Jason continued his search of the ceiling. Danny sipped his coffee and didn’t meet her gaze.

  “Okay, people, let’s get to work. Jason, I want you on that pump. Katie and Heidi, I want every gun checked, and I want them placed strategically around this boat so there is always one within at least a few steps of where we are. I’m going upstairs to keep a birds-eye lookout. Everyone make sure you have your radios on and they are functioning. Danny, we need to eat, my man. Can you whip something up?”

  “Absolutely,” Danny said standing, and turned for the galley, a gun stuck in the back of his waistband.

  Rayna got up from the chair and planned to grab a shower, then more coffee. She hadn’t been assigned a specific job, but she could at least wander the boat and serve as a lookout.

  “Rayna, I need you upstairs with me for a minute,” Brody ordered.

  He brushed past her, obviously expecting her to follow, and she did. He bounded up the steps two at a time. As she climbed the stairs, she sighed, unsure of what he was going to say. She was responsible for bringing this horrible event on him and his crew, and she didn’t blame him for being upset.

  He was already in the Bridge when she got to the top of the stairs, and she took a deep breath before entering. When she stepped in, he was leaning against the control console, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t look angry or worried— his face was a mask of calm concentration.

  They stared at each other a moment, and then Brody stood to his full height. “Come here,” he whispered, holding out his hand to her.

  She hesitated only for a moment before laying her hand in his, and he pulled her close. She rested her head on his chest, wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes, feeling safe in his warm embrace.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered into her hair. “I’m so sorry for being such a jackass.”

  Rayna grinned. “I think I’m the jackass here,” she murmured.

  “If it makes you feel any better, I never would have thought about social media either if I’d been there when that picture was taken.”

  “Really?” she asked, wondering if he was just trying to make her feel better.

  “Really.”

  Whether he meant it or not, it did soothe her a little bit.

  After a few minutes, he said, “I’m sorry for the way I talked to you. Will you forgive me?”

  “You were a pretty big asshole,” she said.

  He squeezed her tightly. “I was, Rayna, you’re right. I think . . . I think I was more hurt than anything because I like you.”

  She turned her head and looked up at him. They stared at each other for a beat, and then she whispered, “I like you, too.”

  He grinned. “The last few days have been some of the best in my life, Rayna, and it’s because of you. The thought of you breaking the trust I’d given you . . . well, it just fucking hurt. I’d given my trust to my country, to my government, and they broke it. I couldn’t handle it if you did the same.”

  She stared into his dark eyes and studied his chiseled features. “I would never intentionally hurt you, Brody,” she whispered.

  He leaned down and gently kissed her, pulling away before things got too heated, much to her displeasure. Right now she could definitely use a distraction, and couldn’t imagine a better one than sex with Brody.

  “As much as I’d like to continue that kiss, we’ve got work to do,” Brody said, kissing her forehead.

  He lifted the seat bench and Rayna was shocked to see the arsenal it held: AK47’s, Glocks, rifles . . . it seemed to have every weapon one could want to start a small war.

  “Help me check these,” Brody said, handing her a rifle.

  They worked in silence for a few minutes, and then Rayna asked, “Brody? Did you walk away from that explosion with a supernatural power?”

  He stopped what he was doing, sighed, and then nodded.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  Brody stood and brushed his knuckle down her cheek. After a moment, he said, “I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to protect the people on this boat. I will eviscerate anyone who tried to hurt you, your sister, or any member of this crew.”

  Rayna didn’t doubt his words, but she longed to know . . . “How? Is that part of your supernatural power? How will you do it?”

  Brody kneeled again and took a pistol out of the stash. He pulled back the barrel, and snapped it into place. “I think you’re going to find out soon enough,” he murmured, not meeting her gaze.

  Rayna stared at him a beat.. On his knees before her he seemed like a normal man, but she reminded herself, according the reports she had read, he was anything but normal.

  The thought both excited and frightened her.

  Chapter 41

  Brody gazed out over the ocean, feeling a little stir crazy and very tired. He didn’t like being trapped on the boat all day waiting for something to happen.

  Thankfully, nothing had, but still, it was exhausting.

  He looked out into the inky night hoping the silence would continue. He decided the crew would patrol in two-hour shifts throughout the night. Katie was on first, and then Heidi, Jason and Danny would follow. He would take care of the pre-dawn hours. After looking over the control panel one more time, Brody stretched out on the bench.

  He’d been able to reach Joe Smith earlier in the day and told him about the situation. Joe wasn’t happy, and said he would immediately get in touch with the client and inform him of his daughter’s half-truths. He also said he would arrange for a pick-up in the early morning of everyone on board if the boat wasn’t in working order. Jason said the pump was almost fixed, and he would complete the repairs before dawn. For now, they were sitting ducks, but at least they were armed and holed-up in a floating bulletproof fortress.

  Rayna had filled him in on how her father had set up her and her mother in the U.S. and subsequently, she was able to land a job at the CIA. The coincidence of her father owning the warehouse that had exploded and changed his life still baffled him. He’d love to know if the U.S. government worked with the Cartel to set up the accident, or if the government had “borrowed” the warehouse without their knowledge. Rayna said she doubted they’d ever know.

  Margarita had spent the day in her room, which was probably best. She’d most likely just be in the way.

  He heard soft footsteps on the stairs and sat up. Rayna came into the Bridge.

  “Hi,” she whispered.

  “Hey,” Brody mumbled. “Come on in and have a seat.”

  He still felt horrible for the way he had spoken to her earlier, and had apologized many times throughout the day. She eventually told him to shut up and get over it, so he was trying.

  She sat down next to him and laid her head on his shoulder, taking his hand in hers. He looked down at their intertwined fingers and leaned his head on top of hers. It felt so right to be with her; to sit in the inky darkness and quiet surroundings comforted him. The silence c
ould have been eerie as they literally waited for something to happen, but with Rayna by his side, it soothed him.

  “I’m really sorry about this, Brody,” she whispered.

  Brody nodded. “What was it that you told me earlier? ‘Shut up and get over it’, I believe were the exact words.

  Rayna chuckled. “Okay, fair enough.”

  They sat in silence for a few moments, and Brody decided he needed to tell her exactly how he felt about her. If shit went south tonight and he ended up dead, he wanted her to know.

  “I meant what I said earlier about really liking you, Rayna,” he whispered.

  She squeezed his hand. “Me, too,” she said. “I mean, I care about you as well.”

  She had said it once, but he still liked hearing it again. What he didn’t know was what they were going to do about it.

  “I don’t know what to do with those feelings though, Brody,” she said, her words mirroring his thoughts. “Once this is over, I can’t stay here, and frankly, I don’t know if I want to. I have a life back in Virginia, a life I’ve worked very hard to build.”

  He nodded. He’d never be able to step foot back on the mainland. His life was now in the Virgin Islands, on this boat he loved. Besides, he had an important job to do, and was at sea most of the time. What kind of life would that be like for her if she did stay? She’d see him every few weeks or so. He didn’t like the sound of that for either of them.

  “I know,” he whispered. “I just wanted you to know that I do care about you quite a bit, and I’ve really enjoyed my time with you. I’ll never be able to snorkel again without thinking about you,” he said, wrapping his arm around her, and then tickling her ribs. “You’ve totally fucking ruined that for me.”

  She squirmed and giggled until Brody quit, and then she settled back against him.

  “I’m worried about tonight,” she whispered into the darkness. “What if—“

  “Nope. Can’t talk about it on the Bridge, Rayna. That’s a rule.”

  She turned to him, confused. “What do you mean?”

  “We don’t talk about anything bad on the Bridge. Nothing from the past, or anything negative that “might” happen. It brings bad juju to the boat, and we don’t need anymore of that.”