Raptor was already kneeling down and slicing the rope binding the woman’s wrists as Troy looked around. There was a briefcase on the bed with some papers inside and another weapon. The small window looked out into the inky black night. He looked to the door again, but no one else was there.
“How many gunmen are on the ship?” Raptor asked urgently.
“At least six that I’ve seen. Three stormed the boat, but there were others already on board. Oh my God. We have to help the others! Hurry!”
Troy’s lips quirked. This woman had been tied up and was clearly weak and scared, but she wanted to charge right in there with the SEAL team.
“Ma’am, you’re going to have to stay here. We’re going room-to-room in our search and have already taken out two tangos. Staying out of harm’s way is helping us.”
“Okay. Okay. You’re right. I think one of them left—one of the gunmen. There was a smaller boat earlier. I heard them talking about it.”
“Shit,” Troy said. “Did they take any hostages?”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “I don’t think so. I’ve been separated from almost everyone else. They wanted information from my husband. I think he gave them something. It was probably false—you know, fake intelligence or whatnot. They were threatening to hurt me to get him to talk.”
“We’ll find him,” Troy assured her. “What can you tell us about the other passengers?”
“They separated us. We had fifty guests at our party. The women were being held in the dining room, and I’m not sure where the men are. They took Caitlyn and me to a separate cabin from the rest of the group.”
“Who’s Caitlyn?” Raptor asked, helping the older woman to stand.
“Our event planner. I’m not sure why they singled her out. They knew I was the admiral’s wife. I think Caitlyn is still tied up in another cabin. I was trying to loosen the knots on the rope when the men came back for me. She was still in there.”
“Was she hurt?”
“No, I don’t think so. She was tied up, but you can’t miss her. She’s got bright red hair.”
Everything around Troy stilled. For a split second, it was like he couldn’t even breathe. He heard the sound of blood rushing in his ears, felt his pulse pounding, and his chest tightened. Fuck. He hadn’t been imagining the weird feeling he had earlier. This wasn’t some nameless, faceless woman. She. Was. Here.
Chapter 11
Caitlyn worked at the ropes on her ankles, trying to loosen the bindings. It had taken a long time to untie the knots at her wrists. The gunmen hadn’t come back after they’d taken Evelyn from the cabin, which had given her enough time to work at them. Evelyn had loosened them enough that Caitlyn was able to bite at the knots with her teeth, gradually freeing herself. It had taken what felt like forever, and her neck and wrists both hurt now, but at least she had use of her hands.
She glanced again at the closed door, her heart pounding. Had they forgotten about her? Would they come back at any moment?
There was no clock in here, but it had to have been hours since the ship was taken over. Her contact lenses were dry in her eyes, and she blinked, wishing she were at home in her bed. Asleep. Snuggled under her comforter. Anywhere but tied up on a damn ship.
She fumbled with the rope again at her ankles, the fibers of it rubbing against her fingertips. She’d never been one to fuss over her nails, but goodness. At the moment, she wished she had long, manicured nails to better pick at the knots. She shifted slightly, working more fervently. Her back was starting to hurt from twisting in this awkward position, but she didn’t care. She needed to get out of this cabin.
Caitlyn had the eeriest sense ten minutes earlier that someone had been outside the window. Outside, as in hanging off the boat or in the water. Goosebumps had broken out all over her skin, but when she’d glanced over, she’d seen nothing. Not that anything was out there except pure darkness.
And who would have been there anyway? A gunman escaping? A passenger jumping overboard? She’d heard two of the men talking earlier about the small Coast Guard vessel that had chased them. They were right near the Navy base, and Caitlyn had no doubt they could blow the yacht clean out of the water if they wanted. Not that they’d do that with civilians and Navy officers on board.
Fighting the tears that had been threatening to fall, she fought with the bindings again. She needed to leave. Now.
“Huh,” she said a couple of minutes later as the knot finally began to loosen. “Holy shit,” she whispered. Frantically, she pulled at the knot, working the ropes free. She did it. She’d actually untied the rope. Tears smarted her eyes as she shakily tried to stand. She clutched onto the bed, pulling herself up.
In disbelief, she looked around for a weapon. Of course, there was nothing here. She’d been in the room for well over an hour, her gaze scanning everything. The lamp at the bedside appeared to be bolted down. That made sense, she supposed, given they were on a boat. Otherwise it would fall and break. It would’ve been a good weapon to hit someone over the head with though.
There was a small chest of drawers, but even if she got one out, it would be awkward to carry around and nearly impossible to swing hard enough to harm someone. They’d shoot her before she gave them even a scratch.
Taking a step forward, her legs wobbled, and nausea roiled through her. She’d been so focused on freeing herself, she’d been able
