Undercover Texas - By Robin Perini Page 0,14
that, the place was deserted.
She had to buy time. “Where are we going?”
Hunter headed to the water and snapped the cover off a cigar boat, its sleek lines putting to shame the other crafts. “Somewhere we won’t be found.”
“I’m not taking my son onto the water when it’ll be dark soon. Are you crazy?”
“More than likely.”
Erin clutched his arm. “I’m not going with you, Clay. I can’t do this!”
“You don’t have a choice.” After grabbing her around the waist, he lifted her and Brandon into the boat. She fell back onto the seat, fuming.
Hunter flipped a midsized life jacket to her. “Put it on.”
She shoved the orange flotation device aside. “You hurt me.”
He leaned over her, trapping her between his arms. “Erin, if I’d wanted to hurt you, I’d have let you stay at your house. Now get your jacket on.”
His movements quick and efficient, he bundled a squalling Brandon into his life jacket and settled his son on his hip. “Feel free to leave, but Brandon’s coming with me.”
“You have no right—”
“So sue me,” he snapped. “That is, if you live through the next attack by your kidnappers. They’re almost here, so move it, sweetheart, or none of us will make it.”
Hunter settled in the pilot’s seat behind the steering wheel.
With a curse, she followed, slipped on the life jacket and took her place in the copilot’s position. She had no choice. She’d never leave without Brandon, and Clay’s comments about the kidnappers terrified her. Her bravado was an act, with Clay receiving the brunt of her fear.
Hunter handed her the baby, then tapped his earpiece. “We’re in place, Leona. Are they here?” He paused. “Okay.”
The engine roared to life, the sound hurting her ears. She clutched Brandon close, rocking her terrified son, trying to shield him from the noise.
Hunter pressed the throttle forward. The floor vibrated beneath her feet as he eased the boat away from the dock, then picked up speed.
“Where are we going?” she yelled to Clay.
“A safe house,” he shouted back.
Loud curses sounded from the shore. She whipped her head around. Two ski-masked men jumped on two nearby Jet Skis. One larger, one smaller. Her stomach dropped.
“They’re here!” She turned to Clay, frantic. “How did they follow us?”
Erin froze at the cold look on his face.
“I left a trail for them. I wanted them to find us.”
Shock slammed through her system. “You did this on purpose? Oh, my God....”
Clay jammed the boat into higher gear, and the craft skittered across the top of the water. Erin’s heart raced. The men behind them followed, their Jet Skis jumping the waves and gaining on the boat.
Clay maneuvered around an inlet and into the Gulf of Mexico. He skimmed along the beaches, weaving to and fro, but he didn’t lose the men following.
“They’re still with us,” she shouted. “They’re getting closer.”
“I know.” He eased off the throttle and when he reached a straightaway of water, Clay attached a strap to the wheel to hold it on course. He reached out his hand. “Do you trust me?”
“No.”
“That’s okay. I’ll save your life anyway.”
Their attackers maneuvered alongside their boat and raised their weapons. “Give us the doc and the kid!” Terence yelled. “We’ll let you live.”
Clay ignored them. He shoved Erin and Brandon to the deck, crouched down and snapped off a small door on the side of the boat. Just large enough for them to fit through.
“When I open this panel, you slide out into the water and push away from the boat. The duffel floats. Use it to support you.”
He kicked out the fiberglass. Seawater washed over them.
Erin’s heart raced. “What about Brandon? How will I—”
“I’ll bring him.”
Panic hit, but she before she could protest, a bullet struck just to the right of Clay’s head. He ducked. Another spray of bullets strafed the boat, coming way too close.
“Go!” he yelled. “Now!”
Swim or be shot? She had to trust Clay. She took a deep breath, looked at her son, then launched herself out to sea.
Water rushed over her. She sputtered and whirled around. The cigar boat sped away, and the duffel floated toward her, riding the boat’s wake. She swam to the bag and wrapped her arms through a strap on the side. Frantically, she searched the water for Clay and Brandon.
Where were they?
Suddenly, an explosion shot fire into the sky.
The cigar boat burst into flames, the conflagration engulfing the Jet Skis and the men riding them. Oily smoke billowed across the waves.
“No!” The roar of the fire drowned