"You can’t be serious," Nick said, his voice a mix of disbelief and frustration. "It’s the 21st century—who the hell still cares if the bride is a virgin or not?"
"Apparently, he does. And his father, too! It’s in our prenup!" Georgia snapped, her eyes blazing.
Nick staggered a step back, jaw falling open as he ran both hands through his hair, ssing it up in exasperation. "This is insane... absolutely pathetic!"
"If you won’t help , then I’ll deal with it myself!" Georgia shouted, her voice cracking through the room like a whip.
The fury in her tone hit him square in the chest, but Nick clenched his fists and forced himself to breathe. ’Don’t lose your head, Nick. Think. Stay sharp.’
He approached her slowly, voice low and asured. "Go to your cabin. Let speak with my chief mate. I’ll find a way out of this." He placed his hands on her arms, steady but firm. "I will help you, Georgia. My career’s on the line too. I’m not abandoning you."
But it was too late; her trust had already fractured. Georgia’s glare cut through him like ice.
Without another word, she turned and stord out, slamming the door behind her.
’Why would I trust you?’ her inner voice scread as she stomped toward her room. ’You’re just another man like Raymond. I’ll survive this on my own.’
And the slam of her door echoed like a warning—she wasn’t waiting for rescue. She was ready to fight.
Back in the Captain’s office, Nick stood frozen, eyes locked on the door Georgia had just slamd shut. His jaw tightened, fists clenched at his sides.
That woman... she’s driving insane! Why the hell did I even pull her out of the water? he growled internally, his pulse still racing from their heated exchange.
With a sharp breath, he snatched up his radio and pressed the call button.
"Steven. My office. Now," Nick ordered, his voice cold and commanding.
[Copy that, Captain,] Steven responded without hesitation.
Nick dropped the radio on the desk and sank into his chair, hands gripping the armrests as he struggled to rein in the storm building inside him. But his mind was already racing—because whatever happened next, it had to be fast, decisive, and bulletproof.
Ti was running out.
**********
Aboard the cruise ship...
Ella moved with forced calm, every step calculated, every smile rehearsed. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her face betrayed nothing.
She quickly sent a ssage to her parents, instructing them on what to do next. Then, slipping her phone into her pocket, she headed to the deck where Raymond stood with the coast guard, barking orders.
"Raymond!" she called her voice light but edged with urgency. "When are you heading out? Can I co with you? I’m really worried about Georgia."
Raymond turned, brows furrowed with stress. "We’re leaving in an hour. But I need you to stay here, Ella. I need soone I can trust to keep the guests calm."
Ella kept her expression neutral. "Are you sure she’s on that cargo ship?"
"Yes. A trusted friend gave intel. She’s there. Don’t worry—I’ll bring her back safely," Raymond said, voice confident but filled with sothing colder underneath.
"How long until you reach them?" she asked, feigning casual curiosity.
"If all goes as planned, we’ll intercept the vessel by eight tonight," he said.
Ella handed him a coat. "This is hers. Wrap her in it when you find her. She’ll be cold."
Raymond softened, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, Ella. She’s lucky to have you in her life."
"Promise , Raymond," Ella said, her eyes holding his. "Bring her back."
He gave a solemn nod and turned away to assist the Coast Guard in prepping the high-speed launch.
The mont his back was turned, Ella ducked into a shadowed alcove. Her fingers flew over her phone.
[They’ll reach you around 8 p.m. tonight. I hope this helps.]
She hit send, then imdiately deleted the ssage without hesitation, her chest tightening as the weight of her risk settled in.
’Now it’s all in your hands, Captain.’
**********
Back in London Courage...
Georgia slipped quietly into the supply room, her breath steady but her hands moving fast. She grabbed a waterproof bag and filled it with whatever essentials she could find—food, batteries, a flashlight, anything that might help her survive.
’I’m sorry, Captain... I won’t let you take the fall for this. You’ve done enough. I’ll deal with the consequences once I’m back on land,’ she vowed silently.
She also snagged a life vest, a first-aid kit, and a knife, timing her moves perfectly to avoid crossing paths with any crew on their scheduled shifts.
Her final stop was her cabin. She stuffed the clothes Evelyn had lent her and two blankets into a waterproof bag, zipping it up tightly. One by one, she ferried her supplies to the stern of the ship, where a liferaft was stowed.
She put on the life jacket and bravely released the liferaft, pulling the rope, triggering the liferaft to inflate. But before she could jump into it, she heard a scream.
"Georgia!"
Evelyn’s voice rang out, sharp and alard. She didn’t hesitate—her hand was already on the radio. "Captain! Georgia’s escaping—stern side!"
Georgia’s heart pounded. No ti. She tied her gear together in a bundle and leapt—plunging into the ocean and swimming toward the raft that was still tethered to the ship.
High above, Nicholas burst from the bridge just in ti to see her body disappear over the edge.
"What the fuck?!" he barked, eyes wide. "Steven! I’m going after her!"
In one smooth motion, Nick snatched a life vest, strapped it on mid-sprint, and hurled himself off the deck with barely a splash.
Unaware of her pursuer, Georgia reached the raft and hauled herself inside, gasping.
Evelyn pulled the rope of the liferaft, but as soon as Georgia got into it, she cut it off.
She pulled the bags in—only to freeze when she spotted a fast-moving figure slicing through the waves toward her.
Her stomach dropped. No way...
It was him.
Captain Nicholas Knight, furious and relentless, closing the distance like a damn torpedo.
Reviews
All reviews (0)