“You’re right.” I whispered and walked past him to go apologize to the Lt. Commander. I heard voices shouting as I came back into the communication center. “There is no time to send the basket, we go now!”
I watched in horror as the rescuer on the barge grabbed Kay’s limp body and wrapped his arms and legs around her without benefit of a harness as the helicopter pulled up and started the wench to reel him in.
The room was completely silent as a wave swamped the barge and is listed to one side and the container slid off into the ocean. I prayed that he held onto her as they were both hoisted into the air above the raging sea. I prayed the chopper made it back to land safely. I didn’t even care where they landed just so long as they did.
The whole room let out a collective sigh of relieve when the pilot announced they were safely back aboard the chopper and they were starting medical treatment. They would be headed for trauma hospital.
Lt. Commander Pincus turned to me and held out his hand. “Thank you,” I said shaking the proffered hand “And I apologize.”
“It was a tense moment. We were all feeling the pressure.” He reassured me and slapped my shoulder.
I left Mac to talk with the Lt. Commander a moment and I walked outside to say a prayer of thanks. Logan walked past me to the SUV and stood next to the driver’s door making it clear he would be driving us to the hospital. I tossed him the keys and waited for Mac.
“Thanks for all your help.” I said as Mac exited the building.
“Anytime.” He smiled. “Hospital?”
“Hospital.” I smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kay
I felt whatever boat I was on start to rock a little more than it had been, and I heard the wind whistling through the holes in the container. This was not going to be good if a big storm was brewing. I had no idea what type of vessel I was on or if it and this container would survive a storm, although I suspected the idea was not to survive it.
Panic began to set in again and this time I let it. I was desperate and I could barely see anything. I began pushing on the walls and the door looking for any weak spots. I threw my body up against them all in a desperate attempt to knock something loose. I screamed until I was hoarse. I was pretty certain I was alone on this vessel. I hadn’t heard any sounds of an engine or people working. I was certain I had been set adrift. My mind was racing. I thought of Ethan and I was overcome with emotion again at the thought of never seeing him again. Then I thought of Mac, he meant so much to me as well. And I was truly sorry that things weren’t working out the way I really thought they would. I was conflicted I loved them both in their own right. But it didn’t matter now. I was probably going to die out here. I had a little room in the container so I ran and charged the door hoping once again my efforts would be rewarded.
I was wrong.
I fell to the floor in pain. My shoulder was on fire. I laid there crying and screaming silently. I kicked at the door as hard as I could and then the world went black.
***
I opened my eyes. And my shoulder didn’t hurt as bad, but everything was a sickly green and too bright. I closed them again.
I woke sometime later; the light wasn’t as bright, and I could tell someone was in the room with me. I tried to move my head.
“Ssshhh, take it easy. Don’t move around too fast.” I heard Ethan say.
Despite my lips being dry and cracked, I smiled at him. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he said drawing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. “You had me a worried there for a while.”
“Me too.” I said my voice cracking.
He nodded. “You’re going to be okay now. I let you down before, but it won’t happen again.”
I watched his jaw tighten.
“Let me down, how?”
“I wasn’t there to prevent this from happening.”
“You couldn’t have known.” I squeezed his hand. “You’re here now.”
He nodded. He looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t. “Listen to me, Kay. Nothing and no-one is going to hurt you now. Logan is standing outside the door and he isn’t letting anyone in without a pat down.”
I laughed a little.
“I have to go take care of some things, and there are some people here to see you.” He kissed the back of my hand. “I wouldn’t leave if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.”
I nodded. “It’s okay but take Logan with you. I would feel better knowing he has your back.”
“No need to worry about me. I’m covered.”
He smiled and stood up still holding my hand like he didn’t want to let go.
“Sir?”
I lifted my head a little to see Jared standing in the doorway and Mac at the foot of the bed.
“Mac?”
He smiled. “I’m glad you’re going to be okay.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked getting my bearings.
“Checking on you.”
“Did my grandfather send you?” It seemed like a logical question.
He was silent for a moment. “No.”
Again, I felt guilty for asking him. “Mac, can you stay a while?”
“I can’t right now, but I’ll come back later, okay?”
“Okay.” I nodded. That was comfort enough for now.
Ethan squeezed my hand again. “I’ll be back a little later,” he said.
“Okay.” I nodded to Ethan as well.
I was surprised when Mac turned and followed Ethan out. I didn’t have time to think about it long because as soon as they had left the room, Sherry came bursting in.
“Oh Kay! Are you alright? How do you feel?” she asked. The questions running
