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An unexpected blitz attack from within could work. He knew it could.

A call came through the headset.

“Echo Tango Foxtrot. Be on the alert for an escaped female on the island. White. Long dark hair. Do not shoot. Repeat, do not shoot. Must be recaptured unharmed. She isn’t going anywhere, so search and report back.

” This last was spoken with jaded amusement.

“Last seen heading toward the north cove.”

Kurt peered out the window. Pointed. “Over there.” He held George’s gaze. “Time to choose which side you’re really on, buddy.”

The pilot pressed his lips together. “Fuck it. I’m sick of this gig. These assholes have never been friends of mine, and Gilder is a creep. Let’s get the girl before they do.”

They swooped low and headed toward a small cove with a beach made of sugary sand.

Rowena looked up in fear then glanced behind her. There was nowhere for her to run. No escape. She glared toward the helicopter, blinded by the sun. Then she began wading into the water.

And that was part of the reason he had fallen in love with her. Her grit. Her determination. She was easily outnumbered. As far as she knew, the bad guys held every ace, but she kept on fighting

“Hover in front of her. I’ll try to get her on board.” He opened the side door and leaned out. The downdraft blew water directly into Rowena’s eyes, and Kurt doubted she could see with the spray, but she kept swimming purposely around the chopper.

Some of Gilder’s men appeared on the top of the hill.

Kurt turned to the pilot. “I’ll arrange for you to collect that reward on Hurek if you don’t betray me, George.”

The man nodded. “You’ve got my word.”

Kurt nodded and then, with no choice but to trust the guy, he dived into the water and arrowed straight to Rowena with a powerful front crawl.

She fought him. Not recognizing him. Not seeing who he was. With the noise and disruption of the helicopter, it was impossible for her to see.

He caught her elbow before it took out his nose.

“Row. Row. It’s me. Kurt.”

Her head caught his chin, and he saw stars before she finally realized who he was.

“Kurt!”

He could barely hear her over the bird, but he read her lips and saw the joy that filled her face. He urged her to get in the machine. Gilder’s men were on the beach now. Shouting instructions he pretended not to hear. It wasn’t deep. He boosted her into the cabin, then followed up behind.

“Strap in,” he told her. He circled his finger over his head. “Let’s see if we can take out the fuel depot and other bird before we get the fuck out of here.”

“Roger that.”

Rowena looked between them with wide eyes. Kurt handed her a pair of headphones and grabbed a set for himself. Hurek tried to make himself invisible in the other corner.

They flew a short distance out, and when Kurt had the fuel pumps in sight, he opened the sliding door and pumped a short burst of bullets into the gas pumps.

For a moment, he didn’t think they’d ignite, and then suddenly, there was a great whoosh and a burst of flames that licked at the helicopter as the pilot expertly navigated the blast wave.

“Does he have boats?”

“Sure.” The pilot grinned. “Super yacht and some RIBs.”

“Let’s put a few holes in them too so these bastards can’t go anywhere.”

“Hell, yeah.” The pilot circled around the island.

Kurt spotted Gilder’s fancy six-million-dollar helicopter and pointed. “That first.”

The pilot nodded.

Kurt opened the door and fired two-seconds’ worth of bullets into the engine of the beautiful-if-gaudy-for-his-tastes machine. Some of the mercs fired back, but the helicopter was out of range of handguns, and a quick hail of bullets at their feet from the big gun made them scatter.

George circled to the marina. Sure enough, a massive white boat was docked along with four inflatables and a couple of dinghies.

Kurt took great delight in firing that gun, hot spent cases flying, bullets hitting just below the waterline on the super yacht and then ripping through the RIBS like a psycho through a shower curtain.

“We’re done. Let’s go, George.” He slammed the door closed and safetied the weapon, turned to Rowena who sat dripping wet, teeth chattering in the sudden quiet.

“I thought you were dead.” Her eyes filled with tears as he sank to his knees in front of her.

He pushed her hair back from her face. “I’ve got you, babe. I’ve got you.” He kissed the salty tears from her cheeks. “I have to go talk to the pilot. You’re safe now. You’re safe. We’re getting out of here, and Gilder is stuck in his little paradise. Unlike you, he isn’t brave enough to swim out.”

He slipped quickly into the co-pilot’s seat. “You got a map of this area?”

The pilot handed him a tablet, and Kurt took it, zooming in on a small island in the Caribbean.

Kurt pointed to it and gave him the coordinates. “Take us there.”

“What’s there?”

“Refuge.”

Kurt used the radio to call the Coast Guard and make a full report of the latest happenings, including the sunken container ship and the fact that Nolan Gilder, yes, that Nolan Gilder, had kidnapped a British national and held her against her will on his private island after attempting to murder a member of the FBI.

The actual charges were going to be long and complex. Then he had them patch him through to Daniel Ackers.

“Kurt? I am so glad to hear your voice, son. ”

“Glad to be talking to you, sir.” He looked back at Rowena’s dark eyes watching from the back seat. She seemed frozen in place.

She was in shock.

“This is an unsecured channel, but I wanted to touch base and let you know I’m alive.

I completed my mission. And,” even better, “I have with me a British national who went missing at the same time I did. We have a friendly helicopter pilot who helped us make our escape. We couldn’t have done it without him. ”

George looked at him gratefully.

“Hang on—” Ackers was cut off.

“Dad? You’re okay?”

Kurt’s heart squeezed as his daughter’s voice came unexpectedly over the line. “Yes, honey. Sorry to worry you like that.”

“I love you, Dad.” He could hear the tears she was crying.

“I love you too, baby. I’ll be home soon. Promise.”

Ackers sounded gruff over the airwaves. “It’s going to be good to have you back, Kurt. I’m too old for this shit.” They both laughed. “Everything is in motion. You concentrate on getting to safety now. Leave the rest to us.”