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As I give it a second to listen for more from the other side of the door, the steady sway of the yacht is no more. The luxury trideck boat gives a sudden violent jerk, uprooting my balance and knocking me off my feet.

I slam onto the floor like I’m weightless against the brutal force of the collision.

A blast has erupted that’s so deafening it’s a sound that vibrates straight through you. It makes eardrums bleed and teeth ache.

Everything we know of this mansion on water spins out of control as the lights go out, the acrid smell of smoke fills the air, and blazing flames glow from the far end of the corridor.

We’ve been struck by something you’d never want to be struck with.

22

RAFAEL

“We’ve been through this!”I yell the moment I’m alone with Anthony. We’ve retreated to my private office on the yacht. “This is my operation. My business! You stay out of it.”

“Mio amico, you seem threatened by a simple visit. I’m here on friendly terms.”

“Bullshit. Run that tired line on somebody more green. You mess with what’s mine and you will see the consequences!”

“Threats spoken so freely. You may want to calm down.”

“I have it under control.”

“Nessuno ha detto il contrario. Io credo in te, ma è stato lui a chiedermi di venire qui.”

I bare my teeth to chew him out some more until noises pour in from the open window. Voices from above deck erupt into screams. We both go still, listening to the commotion breaking out.

“This you?” I ask, my brows creasing in suspicion. “You playing a hand in this?”

Before Anthony can answer, a massive explosion rocks the yacht. Our surroundings as we know them feel like they’re spinning. The boat’s taken such a steep dip that gallons of water splash through the windows and above deck.

We’re wiped out, knocked off our feet by the sheer force of the blast. I slam into the cabinet in the corner, crumpling to the ground against my own free will.

Smoke fills the room in thick plumes, burning lungs and making everything hazy.

I prop myself up by the knee and unholster my Glock. I’m fighting through the dizzy spell that’s making the room feel like it’s still spinning. It doesn’t help that the boat is rocking like a damn seesaw.

Stumbling to my feet, I step over Anthony’s limp body on the floor and shoot for the doorway. The lights have gone out except for the red glow of the emergency exit signs. I reach the hallway still unsteady, gripping the wall for leverage.

Two more steps forward and I’d trip on a lump on the floor if I weren’t careful.

Portia?

“Portia!” I call out, dropping to my knees beside her.

She’s half out of it herself, stirring with a hoarse noise from her throat.

But I’m more preoccupied by what lies ahead.

We’re fucked.

The end of the corridor has not only filled with smoke, flames have burned a hole from above deck. If we don’t get off this yacht soon, we’ll be next. The flames will torch the rest of the hall.

“We’ve got to go,” I grunt, sliding an arm around her waist to pull her up with me. “C’mon, this way. Up… up…”

We hobble together toward the opposite end of the hall, where there’s a blinking emergency exit sign. Anthony has emerged from the office and follows us.

Once at the escape hatch, I pry it open and then wave Portia through. We come out on the side deck, which is taking on a dangerous amount of water. It won’t be long before the entire yacht goes down. If not for the flames eating up the front half then the back half sinking into the dark water.