Page 40 of Innocent Target

Even though they moved fast, James made sure they weren’t followed. It was clear that Ian’s home was compromised, and arrangements were made to relocate him for the time being. The former cop wasn’t happy, but agreed to the plan, at least for now.

Nick drove to a safe house with Ian, and would head to Daytona as soon as possible, while James and Mercy went their way. They planned to take several detours to make sure nobody followed them. Deep Blue Excursions were booked on a fishing trip for the afternoon, but Ian had a contact at the marina, a friend of his who’d offered his boat for their impromptu recon. The goal was to intercept the Deep Blue boat and check if Bethany was on board.

Nick would secure the area around the marina when he returned, keeping an eye on everything, and making sure they weren’t faced with a welcoming committee on way back. Other team members were also on their way. The timing was tight, maybe too much so, but they finally had their chance at getting Bethany back and keeping her safe.

As expected, Ray Duarte was waiting for them exactly where Ian had said he’d be, beside his gleaming white cabin cruiser. The 47-foot beauty wasn’t brand new, but was in beautiful shape, obviously the pride and joy of its owner. The man himself was hard to miss with his bright smile and even more colorful shirt.

“Hi. You must be James and Mercy. It’s great to meet you. Ian said you needed my help, and as my stubborn friend never asks for anything, I had a feeling it was important.”

Ray shook Mercy’s hand, and his hold remained a little bit longer as his eyes roamed over her body. Not that James could blame the man, Mercy looked like a summer fantasy, in a sheer flowery dress over a blue bikini that James was dying to unwrap. They were on a mission, but the woman was a fascinating distraction.

Ian’s friend invited them on board, and they quickly left the marina with Ray at the helm. “Normally, half-day fishing trips are never more than four hours. Before you arrived, I checked with the marina, and the Deep Blue charter left two hours ago. I’ll position the boat as close as possible to the usual return route. How do you want to do it?”

James saw Mercy nod at the plan. “We’ll do exactly that, and when we get a visual, kill the engines and ask for help. I think that’s the best approach without them suspecting anything.”

Ray gave them a sharp salute and focused on leaving the marina. James stayed by his side, examining their surroundings, his eyes on the nearby vessels and the people on board. Even with his sunglasses on, the reflection of the sunlight on the rippling water made it difficult to discern the faces. James only allowed himself to relax when civilization disappeared behind them. Danger was never far away, but they would overcome. This team would see it through; it was only a question of time and laser-sharp focus.

Once the boat was cruising the sapphire waters, James went to check on Mercy and stopped in his tracks when he discovered her lounging in the back in her bikini, a delicious expanse of golden skin soaking up the sun. With her hair covered by a wide-brimmed hat and her eyes behind her sunglasses, all he could do was admire the woman who was his, remembering the last time she was in his arms.

“What are you contemplating, big guy?”

James smiled as her tongue licked her lips. “I’m convinced you’re a temptress and we need to plan a boat trip when all this is over.”

“The two of us, alone, in the middle of the sea? Preferably naked? You’re reading my mind.”

He would have lingered on the sensual banter longer but the boat slowed, and the engines shut off.

He didn’t need to say anything, Mercy was on her feet, wrapping her sundress around her. “Keep back, James. If they think we’re a stranded couple, we’ll look less threatening.” With a kiss on his cheek, she walked toward the front of the boat. “As soon as I make contact, I promise I’ll let you know.”

Everything in him rebelled at staying behind but it was clear that whoever was on that charter were Bethany’s friends and would be protective of his sister. If they couldn’t get on board and the crew got away, it would be even more challenging to find her again, or even worse it could push her to act rashly and send her into Hull’s or Rao’s clutches.

James waited inside the cabin, making sure he stayed hidden and unseen. The charter had quite a large group of fishermen and they all appeared to be celebrating an abundant catch, which made it easier to detect the Deep Blue crew, that, and their bright polo shirts.

A tall handsome man shouted something at Ray who threw a rope to tie both boats together. A second guy, with pale blond hair, offered his hand to Mercy, who gracefully climbed on board, all flirty smiles, but her head was on a swivel, making sure to check everyone out.

The fishermen cheered, celebrating Mercy’s arrival and probably also her tanned legs, and James saw her.

With her hair much darker than the last time he’d seen her, Bethany moved with a box in her arms, trying to blend into the boat as she worked, but even with a bag on her head, James would’ve recognized her.

He was moving before he realized it, jumping between the boats, evading the two crew members, yelling her name.

“Bethany!”

His sister froze, clearly panicked until she recognized him. Box forgotten as it fell to the ground, Bethany launched herself at him. When he closed his arms around his sister, she clung to him, sobbing, and James felt a piece of his soul returning to him. Now she was safe in his arms, guilt invaded his newfound relief. Even if he’d failed his sister by losing Abbie, he silently vowed to reunite his niece with her mother, and strengthen his family against any menace or storm coming his way.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Seeing James holding his sister as if he’d never let her go filled her heart with warmth and her throat clogged with emotion. Her hand shot out to stop the crew member who’d greeted her as he moved to get between the siblings.

“No.” Her eyes shot to the man who looked torn, and Mercy had the feeling his relationship with Beth was more profound than the others. “James is her brother. He’s been worried sick about her.” She felt resistance against her palm as the man struggled with what to do, but he seemed to conclude that, as Beth was crying into her brother’s shirt, he wasn’t a threat.

Mercy turned to give them some privacy and picked up her phone to let Nick and the team know they’d found Beth, and she was safe. A simple thumbs-up emoji from Nick told her he’d keep watch on the dock.

Facing the man, she introduced herself. “Mercy Broussard. It’s nice to meet you…?”

The handsome black man cast a glance at Beth to reassure himself she was safe before he gave her his hand. “Miles Anders. I run the charters.”

“You’ve known Beth long?” Mercy watched as he kept casting her longing looks, obviously fighting his protective instincts. She’d bet her life this man was ex-forces, probably special ops if she had her guess.