Volkov answered it, put it on speaker.
“We’d like to discuss terms.”
Skeet.
Cooper’s smile was razor-thin. “How wonderfully predictable.” He gestured to one of his men. “Tell him to come aboard. Alone. Unarmed.”
The guard moved toward the door, but the tech specialist held up a hand, kept his voice low. “Sir, I’m reading multiple heat signatures in the water. At least three contacts approaching from different vectors.”
Of course it wasn’t a desperate solo rescue but a coordinated operation.
Cooper frowned.
“We can do this easy or we can do it hard, Volkov. But either way, you’re done,” Skeet said.
Cooper took the phone from Volkov. “Mr. Blackwood, I have two hostages. Any aggressive action and they die.”
“Understood.” Skeet’s voice sounded different. Calm. The kind of voice that saidDon’t panic.
At least, that’s what she chose to hear.
“I’m coming aboard to negotiate. My team holds position.”
Lightning split the sky, illuminating the dock for a split second. Chloe caught a glimpse of a figure in tactical gear moving through the rain—confident, purposeful, every inch the Navy SEAL he’d been.
Trust that Skeet knows what he’s doing.
“Elena,” she whispered, so quietly the words were almost lost in the storm. “When the shooting starts, stay low.”
“When?” Elena’s eyes widened.
“Yes.” Because whatever was about to happen, there wasn’t a chance it could end in polite negotiation.
Footsteps sounded on the deck. Cooper’s men tensed, weapons trained on the cabin entrance.
The cabin door opened.
Skeet entered as if he owned the place—fierce and bold, soaked from the storm, his entire body dripping—and his gaze landed on Chloe.
She couldn’t move.
He loved her. She knew it, right then, in her bones, as for the briefest of seconds, relief poured into his gaze. Relief, and maybe even confidence.
As if he knew she wasn’t cowed, wasn’t going to panic.
A partner.
No, not a partner. And not a teammate.
The perfect match.
Together.
His hands were empty, visible, but somehow he didn’t look unarmed. And yet... Oh, he looked deliciously dangerous.
Then his gaze fell on Cooper. A blink, a frown, then, “Alan Martin.” Not a question. A statement. “Been looking for you for a long time.”
Alan Martin?