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It took me a few seconds to realize the huge dog leering at me as if I was a piece of filet was swishing his tail back and forth and staring down at me. I couldn’t tell if the beast was sizing me up for dinner or worried I’d slide into hysteria.

“His name is Tank. He won’t hurt you,” the guy from the front stated.

“I’m not sure about that,” I responded weakly. When I dragged my tongue over my swollen lips, I sensed he was watching me. With every movement tentative, I pressed my fingers against my arms and legs ensuring I was really alive. Everything seemed like a mirage.

A coughing fit doubled me over.

Tank whined.

“Here, drink this,” the stranger said. When I lifted my head, I glanced down at the bottle of water in his outstretched hand.

I hesitated, another racking cough leaving me close to dry heaving.

“I assure you it’s not poisoned. If you want, I’ll drink from it first.”

After a few seconds of debate, I snatched it from his hand, greedily twisting the top. As soon as I started glugging, he hissed.

“For the love of God, take it easy. There’s plenty, but you don’t want to overwhelm your system. Not after what you’ve been through.”

Another sip.

A watchful eye.

Debilitating fear.

Everything was coming in slow motion, but I pulled the bottle away, running the back of my arm across my mouth.

“What the fuck did they do to you?” he muttered.

The dull rumble of the engine made me feel sleepy, but I refused to close my eyes.

“Who are you?” My voice was no longer recognizable.

“Lieutenant Kage Rollins.”

“A Marine?” I dared lift my head to see where he was driving to. Lights flashed by from a few businesses, but he was driving too fast. Everything was a blur.

He snorted. “Navy SEAL. Ex-Navy SEAL.”

“O-kay. Why are you here?”

“I was hired to extract you.”

“What?”

His sharp gaze peered at me through the rearview mirror. That much I could see. “To save your life.”

“Oh.” Shifting, I finally had the nerve to reach out to the dog, relieved when he whined and lowered his head so I could scratch behind his ears. “Where are you taking me?”

“Home. If we can get off this fucking island.”

In trying to process what was happening, I realized he was driving erratically because we were still in danger. “They’re coming after us.”

“Very good. It would seem you’re very important merchandise. That’s why you’re going to do exactly as I say.”

“How do I know you’re who you say you are?”

“If I’m forced to stop to provide you with credentials, we’ll be dead before sunrise.”