Page 132 of Nowhere to Hide

He shot a look at me. “How many people?” He nodded me to hold the inflatable tight to the irregular hole.

I pushed the edges closer as he used a quick action foam that grew right before my eyes.

“Four. All in their twenties.”

“Should be fine then.”

We worked together quickly. Me, holding the weird inflatable yellow thing and him with the sticky foam. By the time it was all sealed, we were both sweating.

He helped me out of the room and the sound of something humming had me stop him. “What’s that?”

“The pump. I’m trying to get all the water I can out of there.” He helped me up the stairs. “Get everything you need out of our side of the boat.”

I nodded and rushed down to the left side stairs to our bedroom. I grabbed my hard-shell suitcase and threw clothes in there as well as a few sets of shorts, underwear, and T-shirts for Locke.

My leg wasn’t happy with me by the time I hauled it up the stairs, but these were extenuating circumstances.

When I got topside, Locke was speaking with the regatta people. He had his arms folded defensively and his feet spread leaving him an imposing wall.

The blond guy who tried to board was mirroring Locke, but not exactly as impressive. He was gym fit and obviously monied, just like the rest of his crew. I stashed my suitcase and climbed to the upper deck. He lowered his hands to his sides and pulled me tight to him.

“Thanks for your help,” I said quietly as I ducked under his arm and wrapped mine along the small of his back. He smelled like wet cardboard and smoke, but I didn’t care.

“What happened?”

I opened my mouth but Locke spoke first.

“Crack in the hull.”

I glanced up at him. “Right. It was pretty scary.”

“We really appreciate that you stopped in to check on us.”

“Would do it for anyone, but I’m not mad to get a look at this vessel.” The friendly girl who spoke to me before was openly admiring the boat and Locke I was pretty sure.

Blond guy was puffing up his chest all the more.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Now that the adrenaline rush was gone, I was ready to fall down.

If it was another day I imagine Locke would talk boats with her, but he was as close to an immovable statue as I’d seen him since the hospital. Bodyguard mode?

“You sure you don’t want us to take you to the marina?”

“No, we have friends coming to help us out.”

“You sure?” The guy who hadn’t spoken up yet asked.

“We’re good.”

“Did you stop taking on water?”

Locke’s eyes narrowed. “The patch worked.”

“Right. Well, that’s good then.” He gave Locke a tight smile. “We’ll be off then.”

Locke’s arm tightened around me.

“Everything okay?” I asked when they were far enough out.