Chapter 10

Sawyer

Panic is blazing through me as I speed down the highway. I’m over the limit, and if I get pulled over, I’ll lose the precious amount of time I have left.

Fuelled by dread and the knowledge one of the names on my list just called her, I can’t afford to wait around to confirm.

I need to call in every favor I can before Marlene gets hurt or worse.

I knew there were risks when I walked away, but I never could have anticipated the level of danger she was really in.

Instead of finding a way to stay with her. I left her alone. And now the woman I was supposed to be protecting is left fending for herself.

Adrenaline is surging through me as I keep my foot pressed to the floor. My Sig is digging into my stomach, a reminder that time isn’t on my side.

When the private airstrip comes into sight, I blaze onto the tarmac, eyes on the helicopter beside the hanger.

The tires squeal as I come to a sliding stop.

Jake is waiting, a grim expression on his face as I jog over to him. “You sure you don’t want me to contact the local authorities?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No. We run the risk of them tipping someone off. I’ll fly in, and deal with it myself.”

He knows better to argue even though I can see he wants to. “You’re walking a thin line here,” he says wryly.

I frown at him. “Yeah, well, when don’t I?” I climb inside and pull the headset on.

He leans inside while I do a quick check. “But this is unsanctioned. And Landers isn’t—”

I glare at him. “I don’t give a shit. Call Jess, tell her I’ll do whatever it takes to stop him, including lethal force.”

He backs away looking worried as he pulls his cell from his pocket.

I check in my flight plan, double-check my instruments, and start the engine sequence.

I grip the stick so hard my knuckles turn white. My entire body is tensed as I fly over farmland and towns until I’m raw with anxiety and the last drop of sunlight has dissipated.

I fly parallel to Landers Island then around, so my arrival won’t be noticed.

The second I touch-down, I power down and rip my headset off.

I take off at a sprint towards the lighthouse, the sound of the waves below me competing with the sound of my thrashing heart rate.

It’ll take around ten minutes of sprinting in the dark to reach the lighthouse, and if I’m right about who is stalking Marlene and why I can’t afford to lose even one second of that time.

***

Marlene

I’m crawled up in a ball, freezing but too afraid to light the fire when I think hear sounds coming from outside.

I blink, shivers wracking my body as my heart rate starts to speed. I switched the phone to silent, but the incoming call light is illuminated.

I suck in a breath as adrenaline rushes through my body.

I’m terrified to pick up, but if there’s a chance it's Sawyer, I have to. With shaking hands, I press the talk button but don’t say a word.

A voice is quiet and I almost hang up when she doesn’t speak immediately. “Marlene? It’s Liz, um, is this a good time?”

Relief flows through my body as I press the phone to my ear. Hot tears cloud my eyes as I start to cry. “Not really. There was someone outside prowling around."

“Do you want me to call the police?”

At the mention of the police, my heart thumps against my ribs even harder. If I involve the police, I’ll have to tell them about the letters, and that will open up all kinds of intrusion I was actively trying to avoid.

My voice is shaky. “No, That’s okay. I’m probably being ridiculous.”

“I don’t know…” her voice trails off. “Do you want me to stay on the line while you check to see if they’ve gone?”

I exhale slowly. It’s probably a good idea. I don’t like the idea of cowering inside while I wait for Sawyer.

“That would be great.”

I pull myself off the sofa and make my way to the back of the house. There’s only one place with a view of the lighthouse, and that’s from the bathroom window.

I lower my voice as I creep inside the tiled bathroom. “Okay. I’m looking out the window now.”

Liz is silent as I peer through the small window. There’s no light to speak of, save the moonlight casting shadows over the lighthouse.

I can’t see anyone lurking. But since I also can’t see the back door I need to exit; I’m not so sure which is the bigger risk.

I’m unarmed, almost naked, and I still haven’t changed the flimsy locks in the cottage.

The lighthouse is a stronghold. Only one way in and one way out. It’s the perfect place to hide.

I have never considered myself a coward, or brainless, and I’m not about to start being either now, so I exhale slowly and make my way to the kitchen.

“I’m going to go inside the lighthouse. Anyone could get inside here if they wanted to,” I whisper.

I choose a large knife and palm it as I creep back to the other end of the cottage. “Marlene, please let me call the local police.”

She sounds even more worried than I am. Given that she knows what kind of photos I’ve taken, it’s surprising. “No,” I snap.

I reach the door, wondering how I can hold the knife, the phone and open the lock on the door. I cradle the phone against my ear and shoulder and put one hand on the lock.

“I’m going outside now,” I whisper.

Her voice is riddled with anxiety. “Okay. Be careful.”

I take a deep breath, twist the lock, and hold the knife blade down as I open the door.

I step outside into the frigid air. When nothing jumps out at me, and I don’t see anything obvious, I slide my hand inside my pocket and check the door key to the lighthouse is still inside.

Liz isn’t saying anything as my fingers close over the cold metal keys, but I can hear her rapid breathing as she waits.

It’s near on impossible to keep watch with the phone in such an awkward position and I can’t hold both the key and knife, so I slide the phone in my pocket and exchange it for the key.

With the knife and the keys in each hand, I break into a sprint, heart slamming against my ribcage, nerves on high alert as I bang into the lighthouse door.

I fumble with the keys, cursing and muttering, nerves winding even higher as my heart beats wildly.

An overwhelming sense of panic swamps me as I hear Liz’s voice, faint and muffled. “Marlene—I’m losing—signal—does the phone work—"

I grab the phone and press it to my ear as I check around me. “Liz? Are you there?”

Nothing but dead air greets me. I curse into the darkness. Of course, it doesn’t work. The range from the base isn’t large enough and I didn’t test it out before agreeing to it being installed.

The slightest of sounds coming from the direction of my cottage makes all of my hairs stand on end.

I raise the knife higher ready to defend myself when a catch a flash of movement to my right.

I shrink back, knife rising as slender blonde appears. “Marlene? Is everything alright?”

I blink, heart rapid as recognition dawns on me. “Elaine? What are you doing here?”

She smiles so sweetly as she steps closer. I’m almost convinced she’s no threat when I see the camouflage clothing she’s wearing.

“You? You have been sending me letters? Why?”

Elaine Landers smiles, teeth white in the moonlight. “Most women would have run for the hills by now. Not you. You stayed.”

She sighs as though I am an inconvenience. My voice comes out shaky. “But why?”

A male voice penetrates my confusion, making me spin on my heel. All the blood drains from my face as the scent of body odor and expensive cologne wafts towards me.

Jacob Landers is a few feet away, gun in his hand. “This was a mistake. We have no idea if he’s coming back.”

I know he’s not speaking to me. But there’s an edge to his voice that I’ve never heard from the ultra-friendly realtor before.

I take a step closer to the lighthouse, knife still in my hand.

Elaine barks out a command and Jacob steps forward and grabs my arm, shoving me back against the door.

The handle pushes into my back painfully as he frowns at me. His tone is halfway apologetic. “I’m sorry. I really am. But love can make you do crazy things, and this is just too good an opportunity.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about, only that the slick-talking realtor is not who I thought he was.

Panic rushing like wild-fire through me, I slash blindly and know I hit my target when Jacob howls in pain.

Elaine curses and makes a grab for me, but I keep slashing the air, blade down as I take off at a run.

I ignore the pain shooting through my bare feet, and sprint almost blind to the front door of my cottage.

In my desperation I grapple with the door, frantically trying to open it, even though on some level I know I locked it.

A shout from behind me, makes me pivot abruptly, and in panic, the knife slides from my sweaty fingers.

With no cover, and nowhere else to go, I rush towards the stairs leading to my private beach.

I have no idea why Jacob Landers and his wife are the ones who have been terrorizing me and I’m not about to stick around to find out.

***

Sawyer

Sweat is creeping down my spine as I approach the lighthouse. Since there was no answer from the cottage, I can only hope Marlene made it inside.

I stand beside the door, breathing too rapid as I think of the multiple scenarios that could be playing out.

If she’s inside and safe, then I can get her out. But if she’s not. I can’t even finish the thought.

Even more alarming than the rules I broke getting here, is the undeniable panic I’m feeling at the mere possibility of her getting hurt.

I have no idea if knocking will work, or she’d even hear me, and I don’t have time for politeness, so I switch on my flashlight and bang on the door. “Marlene? Open the door. It’s Sawyer.”

I press my ear to the door, but the wood is too thick and my heart is beating too loudly in my ears.

I curse aloud, shining my flashlight around the base, checking for signs of disturbance.

Debris is scattered everywhere, but my eyes catch on an out of place object amongst the mess.

I scan the area and make a grab for the white. My fingers curl around the smooth plastic.

My thoughts are spinning almost out of control. It makes no sense for her to leave it here.

There’s a possibility she dropped it in her haste to get inside, but if she knew I was coming, she’d have opened the door by now.

If she was able.

I spin around, phone in my hand as ripples of fear shudder through me. Nerves on fire, I retrace my steps, silent in the black night until I’m back at the cottage.

I listen. I wait. When nothing but the sound of the waves crashing into the beach greets me I risk shining my flashlight on the front of Marlene’s cottage.

It’s impossible to tell if anything is out of order with the chaos from the hurricane still strewn over the storm walls, but my training is taking over.

I leave the phone beside the front door and make my way slowly towards the steps leading to the beach, painstakingly checking for signs that will confirm she’s where she should be.

I’m about to head back and try the door again when my boot heel hits something.

I shine the light on the object, expecting more driftwood or storm wreckage and see the glint of a knife blade.

I crouch down, heart slamming about in my chest, cold sweat drenching my back, as I find the blade covered in crimson.

In the unnatural glow of my flashlight, the blood trail leaves black splatters in a distinct pattern.

I leave it where it is and follow the trail until I reach the stairs to the beach.

I take the stairs cautiously, eyes on the blood splattering down the sand-covered wood.

My stomach is twisted into knots when the faintest sound makes me jerk my head up.

I squint into the dark, eyes adjusting to the grey of the beach and the ocean.

I freeze. Entire body rigid with dread when I see two figures on the beach creeping towards the cave at the end.

I jump down the stairs, desperation flowing through my veins, fuelling my muscles as I run across the sand, keeping to the cliffs and keeping behind them as much as possible.

I catch snatches of angry conversation as a man’s voice carries on the wind. “She ran towards the waves. Where does she think she can run?”

Relief permeates my fear. Marlene isn’t stupid. She’s street smart enough to run to the wet sand, and into the waves to cover the direction she went in.

It’s a risk, but I duck low and start to cross towards them, hoping they are too cocky to check behind them.

Ten years is a long time to be out of the game. But Elaine has lived here for too long to risk it all without being careful.

Jacob Landers is a wildcard. All I know from a background search is that he’s greedy, and probably under his wife’s control.

I’m right behind them when Jacob Landers thinks to glance over his shoulder.

I don’t have time for finesse, I smash the gun from his hand, and hold mine to his head, using him as a shield. “It’s over, Nadia.”

She spits a Russian curse at Jacob. “This is why I told you to wait at the lighthouse.”

A second too late, I see her gun arm raise. She fires before her husband can even reply.

His body jerks against mine with the impact then sags. I heft him up and swing my gun arm around so I’m aiming in her direction.

She shoots again, so close I feel the bullet dislodge the air beside my ear. Too fucking close.

I ditch Jacob’s body and roll into the sand firing low. Movement comes from behind her, and with a horrific jolt realize Marlene dressed in her robe is sneaking up behind her.

What the fuck does she think she’s doing?

Elaine swings around, gun raised toward Marlene, in a moment of blind panic I lurch across the sand, tackling her until we both land with a thump.

Adrenaline surging through me, I pin her to the ground, thumping her wrist until she lets go of her weapon.

Her ankle hooks around mine and she tries to shift my weight from her, making it impossible to keep a hold of her.

Old habits die hard, and she’s too well trained and has too much to lose not to fight back.

Her hands wrap around mine and she jerks upwards, aiming her forehead for my nose.

I shift my weight before she makes contact and grab her wrist. She screeches as I hear the crunch of delicate bones breaking as I squeeze.

She screams and punches my throat hard enough for me to recognize she’s still a threat.

Elaine’s lip curls as her free hand shifts to her waist and I know she’s going for her secondary weapon.

I don’t even flinch as I squeeze the trigger.

***

Marlene

I’m so numb, so dumbstruck by Sawyer's arrival and what’s he’s done; I just stare at him.

“You killed her,” I croak.

Sawyer is too busy searching Elaine’s clothing to answer. I don’t even know if he heard me. “I had no choice. She shot her husband and would have killed me, then you,” he mumbles.

Nausea rises in my stomach as I watch him coldly rifling through the pockets of the husband and wife duo who sold me the lighthouse.

I’m too shocked to even speak right now. Numbness is crawling over me as I stare at the bodies of two people I thought I knew.

I still don’t know what they were doing here. Or why they wanted me gone. But Sawyer’s arrival and his ensuing violence towards them, is chilling to the core.

There’s obviously more to his arrival, more to his job, and his skill set than ever could have realized.

I sink to my knees and watch him as he methodically pulls out everything from Elaine’s pockets.

When he finishes and barely spares me a look but moves on to Jacob, my confusion and curiosity overcome any fear I’m feeling.

“What are you looking for?”

He glances at me, and it’s then I see how tense he still is. “Recording devices. Camera phones.”

I rock back on my heels as he runs a hand over his face and curses. The question spills from my lips. “Why?”

He cocks his head at me but doesn’t answer. “I need to make sure she’s acting alone. This involves more than you know.”

He gets to his feet, dusts the sand from his knees and looks eerily calm. “I need you to come with me.”

I shake my head, cold and shock making my frozen body shake all the more. “Not until you tell me the truth.”

He steps towards me and takes me by the shoulders. “Listen to me. There still may be a threat here. I have a helicopter sitting waiting. And it needs to be returned.”

My mouth slackens. A helicopter?

When I finally have the wherewithal to speak, he’s taken my hand and is leading me away.

Millions of questions seem to be all vying for attention so I jerk my hand from his and force him to stop. “That’s how you got here so fast?”

He doesn’t reply but grabs my arm again. “I don’t have much time. You can ask questions later.”

With the casual and controlled violence and the way he dispatched two people I’m still confused about, I’m not sure I have any choice.

He sets a brisk pace even though I’m barefoot. He doesn’t let up until I start to limp and he sends me an apologetic smile. “I’ll explain everything. But we need to get out of here.”

My hands are shaking too much to unlock the door, so Sawyer takes the key from my hand and opens the door, he steps inside first, flashlight in hand as he checks it’s clear.

Aside from the patch of light streaming in the door, it’s pitch black inside the base and though it never bothered me before, a sense of suffocating claustrophobia fills me.

I take the stairs on legs I’m sure won’t support me and grab the first warm clothes I find.

When I’ve pulled a turtleneck on and have taken a few swigs of the tequila bottle, I’m warm enough to think coherently. “You just killed two people, are you going to tell me why?”

He stands slowly. “One person. And Elaine Landers was a spy who defected a decade ago.”

I frown at him as he places a palm on the handle of his gun. “Who the hell are you?”

“Finish packing. I need to get back.”

“Back where?” I almost yell at him.

He crosses his arms and stares at me, looking every bit of menacing. “My place. That’s where I’m taking you. Where I know you’ll be safe. Where I will tell you every one of my damn secrets. Now, for the last time, woman, will you pack a fucking bag!”

He looks furious and I’m past exhausted, frozen, bewildered and just want answers.

I don’t argue any further, just look for my overnight bag. I fill it with clothes, my camera, film and a few toiletries.

He takes the bag from me and I follow him down the stairs. He locks the door to the lighthouse though it seems pointless now I know who has been stalking me.

I don’t protest. I meekly follow him as we start walking at a clipped pace away from what is now a crime scene.

He doesn’t say a word, and now the immediate danger is over, shock is making me reluctant to even ask him.

When I make out the shape of a helicopter, I don’t even bother to ask how he got it. I scramble in and watch as he pulls his headset on and starts preparing for take-off.

Since it’s impossible to have a normal conversation, I reach for my own headset and depress the comms button so I can catch any conversation.

But he’s not speaking to me, he’s speaking to his base of operations and his entire manner leaves no room for casual chit chat.

If this is who he is, this serious, intense, lethal killing machine, I’m not sure I’d even know how to act around him.

As the radio chatter carries on, and Sawyer doesn’t say anything that will let me know where we’re going, I stare at my lighthouse as we ascend into a cloudless sky.

When I can’t see the waves below us and see nothing but the internal lighting of the helicopter, I turn my attention to what would have happened if he hadn’t arrived.

I want to thank him, but when I turn to say it, his face is set hard. His posture too rigid, and there’s something distinctly commanding about him, I’m not sure he let me see before tonight.

I turn away and try to control the shaking that seems to be overtaking my body.

I don’t know who the hell Sawyer Steele is, or why spies are on Landers Island but before the night is out, one way or another, I’m going to find out.