Feel the Heat: A Contemporary Romance Anthology (66 page)

* * *

“
W
hat do
you mean we can’t get to the island tonight?” asked Ben. He’d tried going through channels, but the Coast Guard refused to go out in the storm without concrete evidence that Hayley was in danger. And he sure has hell couldn’t get the FBI to authorize a helicopter. They wouldn’t risk equipment and men by sending them through a squall.

Fuck them. His sister’s life was more important than protocols. His last chance to get to Hayley stood a foot away, unmoved by Ben’s pleas. “It’s an emergency!”

The grizzled old captain shook his head. “Can’t go out into the storm. Winds are too high.”

Desperation nearly suffocated him. He’d found the text on the hitman’s cell phone. The words had shot his adrenaline into overdrive.
He’d sent Santos the location of Hayley’s island.
Ben could only hope that Santos wouldn’t find out about his hired gun’s death right away. But the asshole had powerful contacts and Ben couldn’t be sure someone wouldn’t pass along the information tonight. It had already been a couple of hours since he’d taken down the man who’d attempted kill Betty. He’d walked away from the scene, his boss, and the paperwork, and ignored the direct order to return to the office and turn in his gun. Until it was officially determined that he’d made a good shoot, he would automatically be put on leave.

And he was leaving. Or at least, he was trying to.

“I’ll pay you whatever you want.” Even if he had to empty out his own savings account.

“Can’t spend money if I’m dead.” The captain tromped across the small wheelhouse to the window and pointed a gnarled finger at the huge gray clouds crowding the skyline. “Gonna be a big one.”

“Fine. I’ll just find another boat,” said Ben glancing around the disheveled cabin. He was bluffing. Captain Solomon Wise was his only shot at getting to the island before Rodrigo Santos did. He felt in his gut that Santos would try to finish the job himself, and as quickly as possible.

“My sister is in danger. Please.” He pulled out Hayley’s picture. “She’s all the family I have left. If I don’t get to her tonight, she’ll die.”

The captain stared at Hayley’s smiling face for what seemed like an eternity, and then nodded. He headed to the door, gesturing for Ben to follow. “If we’re going to do this, we best go now.”

“Thank you,” Ben said, the tight spring of tension uncoiling inside him.

“Don’t dawdle, boy.” The captain undid the ropes tying the boat to the dock. He gave Ben a succinct nod. Ben wondered why the old man had a change of heart. Whatever the reason, Ben was glad. “If we hurry, we might beat the storm.”

Once they were out on the ocean, the boat’s small motor humming over the sounds of lapping waves, Ben’s gaze strayed to the small window. He watched lightning zigzag into the sea. In good weather, in daylight, the trip to the private island took an hour. With rain, wind, waves, and the black of night—it would take much longer if they made it at all.

Cold fear made his gut clench.

What if he was already too late?

S
antos checked
his wetsuit and then put on the dive hood. He pulled on his dive boots and then his shoulder holster. He checked his .45. Fully loaded. Ready to make his problems go away. He slipped it into the gun holster.

He went to the back of the boat, opened the hold, and pushed the Jet Ski into the water. A few minutes earlier, he’d circled the island and noted the only building—a three-story house. He sure as hell couldn’t tie up his boat to the pier and walk to the house without being seen.

The storm was already letting loose, and he knew he’d lose visibility once the wind and rain picked up. He’d have to land further up the beach, far enough away not to be seen. If he ran all the way and found easy entry into the house, he just might get there before the storm unleashed its full fury.

Santos waded down into the water and climbed aboard the Jet Ski. At least the thunder would cover the sound of his engine. He wheeled the watercraft around and hit the accelerator.

* * *

“
H
ow far
?” shouted Ben. The roar of the wind and the slap of water against the boat nearly drowned out his words. The cabin was stifling and hot, but at least it protected them from the storm.

Captain Wise shrugged, his attention on the gauges, and his grip tight on the wheel. “In fair weather, about fifteen minutes.”

“And in this foul weather?”

“Don’t know.”

Ben looked out the window and saw nothing but blackness. How the Captain knew his destination much less how far they were from it boggled the mind.

His gaze sought the dark ahead, hoping to catch some glimmer of land or light. It was like looking into the gaping abyss of hell. If he didn’t arrive in time to stop Santos, he’d never forgive himself.

For what seemed like the fiftieth time, he tried to text Hayley. And for the fiftieth time he received the “text failed” notification. He hadn’t been able to call her directly. And he’d been trying to since he found that text. Logan’s fucking landline didn’t work, either. It seemed the incoming storm had cut off communication with the island. He hadn’t even been able to get to through to Logan using the ship’s radio.

“A few minutes more,” promised the captain.

Hurry, damn it,
thought Ben, fear churning in his stomach.
Hurry!

* * *

T
he night sky
lit up ominously as lightning crackled along the nebulous clouds. The once blue ocean had turned black, churning with whitecaps that looked gray against the moonless night. The rolling tide had carried off a lounge chair that had been sitting on the sandy beach. Even though the humid air was warm, Hayley shivered. A deep sense of foreboding had fallen over her since the clouds had rolled in. She tried to shake it off.

His arms enfolded her from behind. “What are you thinking about?”

“If this storm will sink our island.”

“It won’t. I’ve checked the weather reports. Most of this mess will blow past us in a few hours.”

“Until then?”

His hand went inside her robe and cupped her breast. “I’m sure we can find ways to pass the time.”

Hayley tilted her head sideways and leaned back into his embrace as his warm mouth connected with her neck. Moisture gathered between her thighs along with a dull ache pulsating with need. It was as if her body was trying to make up for the six months of distance she’d put between them. She turned in his arms and untied the soft, terry cloth robe he wore, licking her lips with satisfaction as his erection eagerly greeted her hand.

“I’m sure you’re right,” she said.

He dipped his head, his mouth dancing across her lips. She parted for him, relishing the taste of his tongue as it thrust between her teeth. Being in Logan’s arms, she cussed herself for letting him go in the first place. She’d let pride and stupidity get in the way of her ultimate happiness.

The howling wind, the roar of the ocean, and the explosions of thunder only added to her desperate need.

“Logan,” she whispered then moaned as his fingers moved lower, sliding between the slick folds of her sex as she stroked his length with hers. He scooped her into his arms and took her to the bed.

Then she completely forgot about the storm.

* * *

H
ayley snuggled
into the soft bed and sleepily watched Logan light candles around the room. Naked, as sexually sated as she’d ever been, her body aching in a delicious way, Hayley drowsed against the thick comforter. The storm didn’t bother her. In fact, the sounds of the tempest created a nice lullaby.

“How long do you think the power will be out?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” said Logan, “but there’s a backup generator. I need to go outside and start it.”

“In the storm?” asked Hayley, concern whipping through her. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Don’t worry. The generator is about ten feet from the main house—in a well-protected shed. I have flashlights downstairs. I could walk around this island blindfolded and not get lost. Even in this storm.” Logan’s smile glinted in the flickering candlelight. “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll get the electricity working and bring up us some hot chocolate.”

He sounded so confident, Hayley felt better. In truth, the idea of sipping hot chocolate while snuggled with Logan in this huge bed tempted her beyond reason. “With marshmallows?”

“Whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.” Logan finished lighting the last candle then stood and looked out the French doors. All was darkness; only the violent thrashings of the gale penetrated.

He slipped on a pair of boxer shorts. “Stay here, okay?”

She saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

He laughed softly, bent to give her a kiss, and left, closing the door behind him.

* * *

S
antos crouched
under the overhang and watched the man exit the house and head toward the small building just a few feet away. Ah, Logan Greyson. With the power out and the storm hiding his presence, Santos was sure he could kill the island’s inhabitants and be back home in time for a late dinner. He was surprised by the lack of security. Apparently, Logan had been confident no one would find the island, much less breach it.

What a moron.

Santos didn’t want to risk being discovered. If he shot Logan now, he couldn’t be sure the storm would cover the sound, especially this close to the house. He didn’t want to give Hayley any reason to think something was wrong. Shit. He had to kill Hayley first. Then it was all gravy. Once she was dead, it wouldn’t matter who tried to come to her rescue. He’d kill them, too.

Logan reached the shed and opened the door. The storm whipped it back, making it impossible to close again. After he’d entered the shed, Santos hurried across the sand. As the fool bumbled and cursed, the flashlight’s beam bounced across the interior of the shed. How could he take Logan out of the equation?

The big metal wrench gleamed like the Holy Grail.

Santos scooped up the heavy tool and slammed it against the side of Logan’s head.

The poor bastard never had a chance.

He slumped onto the concrete, blood dripping down his temple. If the blow hadn’t killed him, Santos would finish the job before he escaped.

* * *

H
ayley felt
someone lightly shaking her. She opened her eyes to see Claire bending over her. The woman put a finger to her lips. “Come with me. Be quiet.”

“What’s going on?” she asked in a whisper.

“Get dressed.”

As Hayley scrambled from the bed, throwing on a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, Claire hurried around the room putting out the candles.

Claire turned on a tiny flashlight and pointed the beam at her feet. “Go barefoot. Those things will slow you down if you have to run.”

Hayley tossed off the shoes. Claire’s urgency terrified her. Her heart started pounding hard. “Where’s Logan?”

“He can take care of himself. My orders are to take care of you.”

“Orders.” Hayley suddenly realized Claire was much more than a hotel employee. “Are you with law enforcement?”

“Private security. I’ve known Logan forever. We attended the same private high school and have been friends ever since.” Claire offered a quick smile. “He wouldn’t trust your safety to just anyone.”

Hayley felt slightly better. But she had to know, so she asked, “It’s Santos, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know. But I think there’s an intruder in the house.” Claire withdrew a big, black gun from her hip holster. “Follow behind me. Stay close.”