Page 73 of Depths of Destruction

Damn you, Darien.

I wish I could warn the guys, but there's no way. My only hope is to get to Tinker's and he can assist.

Thank God I didn't tell Darien his name.

Tinker will need to find us around Coxen Hole or Utila.

I drive for several hours, careful to stay in international waters. The water changes and the waves start to push me toward where we are going, so I decide to utilize their energy to save on fuel.

Plus, I can't handle another moment knowing Naomi is inside the cabin and we aren't on good terms. I need to figure out how to make things right with her. Being without her isn't a reality I want to return to.

I turn the engine off and watch the navigation system for several minutes to verify we're moving where we need to go.

I remove my boots and crawl into the cabin. Everything is pitch black, and it's a small space. Naomi sniffles, and my guilt increases.

God, I'm a dick.

When I touch her leg, she stiffens. I move my hand over her body and quickly slide my arm under her head. "I'm sorry."

She doesn't respond, and I panic I've gone too far. That my inability to hear her out and put myself in her shoes is going to bite me in the ass and forever make me regret my actions. And every passing moment makes my desperation to make things right with her grow. If I have to beg and plead for her to take me back and tell me what I need to do to get us back to where we were, I will. I've never done it before, but for her, I will.

I kiss her neck and ear. "I'm a jackass. Please, forgive me."

"I only see him as a friend. But I did miss him. I don't have a lot of friends."

I don't like that she missed him, but I also can't be mad at her for it. "Why don't you have more friends?" I kiss her jawline.

She quietly says, "No one wants the real me. They want what I can give or do for them."

"I want the real you."

"You don't know me."

"I know enough."

She turns toward me.

I still can't see anything, and wish I could see her face.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know he was going to kiss me."

"I know. I'm sorry I acted like an ass."

A tear drops on my arm.

Shit, she's still crying.

I stroke her cheek, and it's wet. "Baby, don't cry."

"I'm sorry. I just...why did he do it? Why would he call Interpol and hurt me like that?" she whispers.

I tighten my embrace. "I don't think he meant to hurt you. He wanted to get me out of the picture."

"But...but..." She takes a deep breath.

I tuck her hair behind her ear. "But what?"

"He betrayed me. And he put me at risk. And how am I going to ever find my sister again?" A full stream of tears fall.