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Doubts? She had plenty and wondered what the hell she was doing in this situation. “It won’t be any easier tomorrow. Let’s move ahead.”

He exhaled and let her go. “Let’s roll, partner.”

He opened the heavy glass door and followed her inside the quiet lobby. The sleepy desk clerk nodded to them as they walked to the elevator. Lana stuck her hand in her purse, gripping the Glock in her icy fingers.

“Want me to try and get in his stateroom first to see who’s with him?” She wasn’t surprised when he shook his head.

“No, we go in together and just take the son-of-a-bitch. If the rest of the drones want to fight, then so be it.”

“Check.” Lana wanted to feel as certain as Sam sounded, but she fought something she’d never felt on a bust before. Fear.

He looked around before getting on the elevator after she stepped inside, waiting until the door closed to look at her. “Don’t let your guard down, not even for a second. They won’t mind killing us both. We don’t want that to happen.” He grinned, leaning over to kiss her. “When we get back to Miami, we are going to do nothing but lay in the sun for a couple weeks.”

She smiled at the idea, moving closer to him when the elevator stopped. The doors opened and five men boarded, three of them moving to the rear of the car. Two stood in front, looking up at the ceiling of the elevator. She didn’t recognize them, thinking it odd they were dressed in three-piece suits. Wait, damn it, she had seen them. Briefly, yes, but they were Antigua’s friends.

Too late, Lana realized the muzzle of a gun jabbed hard against between her shoulder blades, and a rough hand twisted in her hair, pulling her head back. Sam received a blow to his head for resisting, sent to his knees, and was kicked once he went down. He held his arms out to show he wasn’t going for his weapon. Lana wanted to scream at the sight of blood streaming down his neck, the crimson color saturating his collar.

This was what had worried her. Being disarmed and in the worst kind of people’s hands. They were going to die.

Cold reality smacked her in the face when the man nearest her hit the stop button on the panel.

“Take it easy, men.” Sam tried to stand, but was hit above his ear in retaliation. “Hey, if you want money, take what we’ve got. No need for the rough stuff.”

Lana forced the man’s hand off her hair, biting his wrist until he let go. “Take your hands off me.” She made a lunge toward Sam but was pushed against the wall of the elevator. “Let him get up. He said you could have his money.”

The obvious leader laughed. “Shut your mouth.” He pointed his weapon at her forehead. “We know who you are. Don’t play stupid with us.”

She watched while panic washed over her as her purse was turned upside down and her weapon bounced on the carpeted floor with a thud. The men all stared at her in amusement.

Her purse was slammed against her stomach, and she gasped for air. “I want my belongings.”

“You mean this toy gun?” The brute holding her back laughed. “I don’t want to kill you, but you’re with him.” He closed his huge hand around her throat. “We’re going to pay a visit to the man in charge and he can decide what to do with you.”

“You’ve made a mistake.” Lana wanted to help Sam, but the man’s strong hand held her back. “What are you talking about?”

While he still kneeled on the floor, Sam was frisked and his weapon taken from his belt clip. Lana’s arm was twisted behind her back until she gasped with pain, the beast chuckling when he let her go. His slap to her face stunned her, creating copper stars that danced before her eyes.

The elevator jerked into motion once again, taking them to whatever these brutes planned for them.

She wanted to scream at Sam to stay on the floor when he got to his feet, his fist connecting with her assailant’s nose. He lost the fight, the fat man in a cream-colored silk suit hitting him with a blackjack he’d hidden in his pudgy fist. Sam managed to stay on his feet, but she knew he couldn’t see her. His eyes were glazed with pain, and he obviously fought to remain conscious. Her heart broke with desperation to see him so vulnerable and being beaten by a pack of wolves.

Still, he tried to protect her, reaching for her and asking for her life. “Let her go. She doesn’t know anything. She’s dumb, just a broad I picked up.” He swiped at his bloodied mouth. “Come on. No need bringing her into this. I’ll go peacefully. Let her go.”

Laughter bounced around the small enclosure, the sound making her sick.

The one that had said nothing hissed into her face. “She’s a Fed. That makes her fair game.” He pushed her against the wall. “No more talk. I’ll kill you both right here if you don’t shut up.”

Sam didn’t seem to hear the threat. “You’d get off with life in prison with just the rough stuff. Killing an agent gets you the chair.”

The five men didn’t reply. They were busy grappling with their two victims, waiting for the doors to slide open at the top deck.

The hallway where dozens of passengers normally came and went lay ominously empty. Lana’s heart pounded with desire to fight for their lives, adrenaline racing through her almost too strong to withstand.

Where to run? Who to ask for help? None of that was there for them. Why hadn’t she said no to his idea? This was her fault. Sam had been taken by surprise because she hung around his neck like a millstone.

Okay, get your wits about you. These animals can be hurt if you get the chance. Stay calm. Take your chance when it comes.

Shoved ahead of the menacing group of men, Lana tried to take Sam’s arm but was shoved forward. This was their floor, their stateroom door they passed. All her careless moments came back to hit her in the gut. Stop thinking about that and figure out a way to get out of this.

* * * *

The blood froze in her veins when they reached Antigua’s room. He opened the door, smiling at her. “I’ve been waiting for you.” His glassy gaze turned to Sam and he sneered. “Sam, my friend. You don’t look so very good.”

She grabbed Sam’s arm and tried for reasoning with Antigua. “If you’re in charge of these men, keep them off Sam. They have hurt him already.”

“My dear Lana.” Antigua stepped aside to allow his battered guest entry to his plush quarters. “I do regret you are being treated so poorly, but you know far too much.” He eyed her with a reptilian gaze, flat and dark. “You won’t hate me, will you, after this is over? We could have been so close.”

Sam stepped closer to Antigua, appearing revived and in charge of the situation. “Call off your dogs, Antigua, and give up the game.” He laughed softly. “You’re not smart enough to pull off a scheme like this.”

Antigua roused from his drug-induced daze. “I should have killed you a long time ago.” He laughed, the sound reminiscent to breaking glass. “I have a going away party planned for you. Both of you.”

Lana saw the Cobra woman standing in the background. She smiled at Lana, apparently enjoying the punishment she and Sam were receiving. Several of the party girls peeked around the door of the bedroom, their eyes wide with fear. The fat man in the cream suit grunted and shoved Sam aside.

“Let’s move along with this, Antigua. It’s all set up below.” He tried to touch Lana’s breast, but she shielded herself with her arm. “I wouldn’t say no to a few minutes alone with her.”

Sam moved quickly to stand between her and the man. “You don’t want to do that.” His face darkened with rage. “I’ll kill you.”

Lana wasn’t worried about being raped. Her thoughts were still on the so-called party Antigua had mentioned. He stood looking at her like some kind of sultan, figuring out her punishment.

He snapped his fingers and gestured toward the door, relaying orders to his gang of killers. “Clear the hall and get ready to go.” They moved out like a horde of lemmings, two of the gang holding her and Sam back until the all clear signal was given to Antigua.

Yanked along beside a stony-faced man, Lana searched the hallway feverishly for anyone to help them. Antigua’s men had done a thorough job of getting rid of anything that could get in their way.

She grabbed Sam’s hand, and he closed his fingers around hers. He looked at her and tried to comfort her. “Don’t let go, Pearly. Whatever happens, we’re going to make it.”

“I know we will, Sam.” She managed a smile. “And I won’t let go.”

Chapter Eighteen

What the hell had he missed? Sam cursed his momentary lack of awareness he always depended on. Somewhere along the way, he’d lost the animal instinct that kept him out of situations like this Now, he had not only gotten himself in a fix, but he had Lana to worry about. The deal was really stinking, and he had a feeling they were going to sleep with the fishes. There wasn’t anything below but the ocean.

“Hey, Antique.” He tried to sound amused. “My head is splitting. Got any of that blow handy?”

Lana shook her head and grimaced. “Be quiet, Sam. I don’t want them to beat you again.”

He didn’t want to upset her any further and kept his mouth shut until they headed down the servants’ stairs. “So where we goin’, Antique? Goin’ for a snack or something?”

“Shut your mouth.” Antigua’s voice shook. “You, I would love to shoot like a dog.”

Sam desperately wanted to know what the creeps had planned for them. He had to think of a way to slide out of their grasp. At least get Pearly to safety. “How about having a last beer together? Your men look thirsty.”

He winced as a big lumberjack fist slammed into his ribs. Just what he needed, another broken bone. The fear in Pearly’s eyes cut him to the quick. He winked at her, hoping she took some courage from his cavalier attitude. Whatever the hell these jackals planned wouldn’t be a picnic. There were too many to start a brawl and too many weapons trained on his head.

They went down the stairs in a hurry, Pearly slipping and falling, hanging on to him for support. She scrambled to her feet, eyes round with fear. “Sam. Let’s do something. I’d rather die than be touched by this fat pig again.”

The man in question grabbed her arm and yanked her away from Sam.

“Hey.” Sam didn’t care how much they beat him. He had to get that fat bastard off Pearly. “What’s the matter, fatso? I’m more your size. Come on. Let’s get to it, fucker.”

Lana screamed as the man pushed her aside and went for Sam. The mastodon’s gut was an open target, and Sam landed a solid blow to the blubber, relishing the gurgle of pain coming from the man. They dragged him back, and he got several shots to his kidneys. But, Lord, it had been worth it to hit that animal.

He had to be able to handle whatever came next and played it cool on the rest of the walk. They reached the landing at the base of the stairs. The door had the word “galley” printed in bold red letters across it. Galley. Sam knew it was right off the water, low and unnoticed by the passengers. Inside the room of stainless steel and hundreds of mingling smells, the few employees on duty turned away from their group walking through the area.

“Hey!” Sam yelled out to them. “I’m FBI and these people are going to kill us. Call for help, for God’s sake.” He wanted to strangle them when they went on about their chores, ignoring him. “You’re going to prison just like these bastards. Get help now!”

It hit him between the eyes. They were going outside. Antigua fell in beside him and puffed on a long cigar. “I’d offer you one, but there isn’t time for you to enjoy it.”

For the first time in his life, Sam begged for mercy. “For God’s sake, Antigua. Don’t punish her because you have it in for me. Let her go.”

“Sorry, my good man.” Antigua blew smoke in Sam’s face. “She’s as dangerous as you. Shut up or I’ll have her killed before your eyes.”

They were outside and a full moon shone down on the calm sea like a friendly light. What a crock of shit. Sam grabbed Lana’s hand and pulled her close. “They’re throwing us over the side, baby. Hold your arms up and you’ll surface quicker.” She stared at him with huge eyes.

“Sam, I’m scared.”

“We’ll be all right, Pearly. I won’t lose you.” Who was he kidding? They would probably be killed on impact or drown before they could surface. “Did you hear me, babe?”

“I heard you, Sam.” She gripped his hand and looked over the rail. “I love you, Sam.”

“I love you, Lana Pearly.”

There was an ugly guffaw behind them, and the fat guy pressed them to the rail. “That’s real sweet. See how long you love her when the sharks start biting.” He laughed, his belly bouncing against Sam’s back. With all his strength, Sam threw his elbow back to spear the obnoxious man’s gut.

“I’m gonna blow his brains out right now.” The injured man gasped for air.

Antigua yelled at his hit man. “No. I can’t help it if he’s smarter than you. We stick with the plan.”

Things moved quickly after that, and Sam tried to drag Lana away from the rail. Two of the gunmen held his arms and hefted her over the rail where she stood on the narrow ledge, frozen with fear. Jerking free, Sam stepped over the rail to grip her hand.

“Don’t you forget I’m with you, Pearly.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek. “We’re going to make it.”

He tried to keep his balance, but couldn’t after being hit between the shoulder blades with the barrel of a pistol. They were pushed off the ledge. The world blurred as they fell toward the ocean. He managed to hang on to Lana’s hand and yelled at her to take a deep breath. He couldn’t tell if she heard him, but she did look at him just before they hit the cold water. Darkness, along with the roar of the undercurrent, blotted out everything but his desire to live. How far had they sunk? He kicked his feet and struggled to surface before panic set in. With Lana’s hand still in his grip, he dragged her upward.

They surfaced, gulping air and spitting salt water. His eyes burned and he couldn’t get his bearings for several seconds. “Pearly. Relax and don’t fight it.” She caught his neck in a strangle hold and pushed her face into his throat. “I’ve got you, honey.”

How the hell would he pull off acting brave when his fear equaled hers?

She finally eased her grip and bobbed up and down in the water, looking around in apparent confusion. “The ship is so close. Can’t someone hear us?” She let out a scream that could have roused everyone in Cuba. “I’m not dead yet, Antigua.”