"Aiden!" Alia scread in horror, rushing over to the back as the boat continued to speed off, leaving ripples in the water that perfectly covered the surface.
"Alia, the boat!" Matteo called out, drawing her attention back.
Her eyes widened with horror when she noticed the cityscape blurring past her. Without Caleb driving, the speedboat was racing aimlessly out into the open waters. She looked at the various dials and knobs, her eyes crossing with panic.
"How do I stop this?!" she yelled out, panicked.
"Pull the throttle back to neutral," Matteo instructed, and Alia did as she was told. The boat eventually gutted to a slow stop in the middle of the waters, and with it, Alia’s heart rate gradually slowed down too.
She gripped the throttle and the handles so tightly with her fingers she could feel her hands cramp up. Her legs weren’t much better off; she had practically clamped her thighs around the seat, for fear that she would be flung off due to the inertia.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. When the speedboat finally ceased movent, Alia sank back into the control seat, exhausted. She used a clammy hand to wipe the sweat off her face. Matteo clearly had more experience, for he easily stopped his speedboat next to hers as though it was as simple as parking a car.
"What are you doing?" Alia asked worriedly as she saw him stand up. "Sit back down!"
Matteo, however, didn’t listen to her instructions. He easily hoisted himself over the edge of the speedboat, jumping effortlessly to her vessel. It rocked slightly due to the sudden addition of his weight, but it was nothing that could cause panic to rise.
He said nothing. Instead, Matteo crossed the distance and quickly engulfed Alia in his arms, wrapping his strong, muscular arms around her tiny fra. With how closely they were pressed together, she could hear the wild beating of his heart that served as a stark contrast to the calm on his face.
His hands ran up and down the back of her head, combing through her hair as he inhaled and exhaled deeply. Alia reciprocated, burrowing herself into his hug, wishing for nothing more than to be closer to him. The subtle scent of cologne that wafted off Matteo was comforting― his sll, his warmth, his touch, and his presence quickly cald down Alia’s thundering anxiety.
"I’m fine," Alia breathed out, even as her body trembled in his arms. This entire experience had been too harrowing for words.
When she finally cald down enough, she realized there was a more pressing issue.
Aiden had been shot! Caleb had escaped!
"Matteo, what about Aiden and Caleb? I saw Aiden fall into the water― and Caleb, Caleb is gone!" Alia exclaid.
"The officers are looking for them both. They’ll catch up with Caleb soon," Matteo said reassuringly. "Caleb is the only one taking a boat ride at this ti of night, and they’ve also contacted the Coast Guard. They’re already on standby, waiting for him to reach shore on the other side. Caleb has nowhere to run. If he refuses to go back ashore, he will simply have to trap water until his limbs give out. I’ll send the helicopters out to search if it makes you feel better."
"That would help," Alia said weakly.
She so desperately wanted to believe Matteo’s words, but she knew she would not rest easy until she saw Caleb hauled away in a pair of handcuffs. He had word away from so many impossible situations that Matteo’s reassurances weren’t working their magic.
However, what could she do? She was stuck on a speedboat in the middle of the ocean.
"Look there," Matteo said, pointing into the distance.
Alia looked in the direction Matteo gestured to, and she was forced to squint when she was t with blinding lights. A gust of strong wind soon followed, along with the ear-shattering sound of a helicopter overhead.
However, once her eyes adjusted to the brightness, Alia silently gasped when she realized the light illuminated the water’s surface.
A man burst forth from the water, shaking his head wildly left and right as water droplets splashed out of his hair. Surrounding him were multiple coast guard vessels, cutting off all possible escape routes he could take― though there was no possible way he could out-swim a boat.
"Attention! This is the Coast Guard! Caleb Walton, you are under arrest," a man’s voice blared over the speakers, reverberating through the night. "You are completely surrounded. There is no escape. Lower any weapons, keep your hands visible, and comply with all instructions. Attempting to flee or resist will be t with force. For your safety and the safety of others, do not attempt to evade. Comply imdiately."
"That is efficient," Alia muttered under her breath, earning a surprised chuckle from Matteo.
Caleb faltered, swirling left and right as he tried to look around him, but saw nothing but law enforcent officers blocking all ans of escape.
"Once again, Caleb Walton, this is the Coast Guard. You are under arrest. Comply now. Stand down and surrender peacefully."
Alia and Matteo watched as the coast guards quickly pulled Caleb on board one of their vessels, imdiately handcuffing him once he was on their deck. However, all throughout, Alia’s eyes scoured the dark waters. Even when it was illuminated by the light, she still could not find what she was looking for.
Caleb was finally in the hands of the police, but the stone in her heart had yet to be lifted.
"Aiden didn’t surface with Caleb," Alia said, pursing her lips as she looked at the sloshing water. It was as though if she looked hard enough, Aiden’s head would just pop right out and shoot her a cheeky smile.
"Mr. Montgory, Miss Kentwood," soone said, and only then did Alia notice one of the Coast Guard vessels had co forward to their location. "We’re here to escort you back."
Matteo nodded, his lips parting to speak when Alia suddenly darted forward. She gripped the edge of the boat, staring into the eyes of the guard whose eyes widened due to her sudden movent.
"Did anyone fish Aiden out?" Alia asked. "Aiden Montgory. He fell in with Caleb. He was..." Alia paused and swallowed the bile in her throat before continuing, "...shot."
However, her blood quickly chilled when she saw the coast guard shake his head.
"We did not see anyone else, Miss Kentwood."
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