Dolby(50)
Author: Maryann Jordan

 

Several people at the dock were running toward the ship but focused on the front where the explosion had sounded. Grateful it was still dark, Dolby patted her leg. “Okay, you can let go.”

 

She slid down his back, and once her feet were on the ground, he grabbed her hand, and they began running.

 

Seeing a flashing light ahead, he veered to the left, and they darted behind containers, still running toward the light. Keeping to her pace, he tried not to rush her faster than she could go. She was already slowing, but they made it to the end of a warehouse building nearby when a shot was fired, and Marcia screamed and dropped to the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

Marcia sucked in air as she ran, holding tight to Jonathan’s hand while he led them past massive container crates and dodged the dockworkers running toward the ship. Thoughts raced through her mind, but it wasn’t time to ask anything. He was much more athletic than she, but adrenaline kicked in, and she forced her body to keep going, determined not to hold them back. A growing excitement replaced her fear, the desire to escape giving wings to her empowerment.

 

“Almost there,” he said, glancing down at her.

 

She wasn’t sure if he meant those words or was just trying to encourage her. She nodded, unable to speak. Suddenly, shouts came from behind them, and two shots rang out. Terror ripped through her, and she dropped to the ground, covering her head.

 

Dolby dropped to the ground next to her, his massive body bending over her back and his lips close to her ear. “Babe, are you okay?”

 

She nodded, her body shaking.

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

She jerked her head back and forth and twisted around to look at him. “No, but I heard gunfire!”

 

“It’s okay. We’ve got to get out of here. I’ll carry you.”

 

While her heart still pounded in a furious beat, she shook her head again. “No, I can do this!” With more force than she knew she had in her, she pushed upward, standing on the legs that threatened to give out underneath her again. She was terrified that she’d cost them precious time. Before she had a chance to apologize, her hand was once again wrapped in his, and she had no choice but to follow as he began running again.

 

They rounded a corner of a building and came upon several large men with weapons right in front of them. She stumbled to a halt, then opened her mouth to scream when Jonathan clapped his hand over her mouth, pulling her close to him. “It’s okay, babe. They’re with me.”

 

Shivers ran down her body. She knew he felt them when he jerked his hand away. “Christ, I’m sorry, Marcia. But it’s okay,” he repeated. “I’ve got you.”

 

The other men stepped back as he pulled her closer to him, tucking her into his side. “This is Marcia Blackburn. Marcia, I’ll make introductions later, but these men are with me. They’re going to get us to safety.”

 

One of the men stepped forward and clasped forearms with Jonathan. “Dolby, good to see you.”

 

Stepping into the dim light, Marcia could now clearly see the three men standing before them. Terror was still in her heart as it pounded, despair mixed with hope still rushing through her veins, and fatigue combined with adrenaline still battling for primacy. But throughout all that, it did not miss her attention that the three men were tall, broad, built, and devastatingly good-looking. Once more, the thought flew through her mind that she needed to memorize and commit this to pen and paper.

 

A squeeze on her shoulder brought her back to the current moment. Looking up at Jonathan, she managed a weak smile. While the others were drool-worthy, only one man had captured her complete attention and already held her heart. “Yeah, I’m good.”

 

Good sounded like a ridiculous descriptor, considering everything she’d gone through. But at the moment, it was the only word she could come up with. She squeezed his hand and nodded. “Really, I’m good. But I don’t mind saying I’d like to get out of here.”

 

His arm tightened, and she loved the feel of being surrounded by him. Turning toward the others, she smiled a little stronger. She wanted to ask how they would get off the island but thought it best to let the ones in charge just do what they needed to do. As though reading her hesitation, he looked toward the others and said, “We’re ready.”

 

The men nodded and turned to continue hustling around the end of the warehouse, away from the dock.

 

“The Skirta Krislista is the only ship docked at the Uliga Pier right now, and it looks like they’re busy,” one of the men said, and the others chuckled.

 

“Needed a diversion,” Jonathan said, chuckling. “Thanks for the fireworks, Poole. Just when I thought we wouldn’t need them, I had two guys in the kitchen who wouldn’t leave.”

 

She jerked slightly and twisted her head to look up at him. “That was you?”

 

His gaze softened as he looked down. “Poole took care of a small explosion on the dock away from where we needed to escape. It worked.”

 

“And the gunfire?”

 

“Two men from the ship climbed down after you. When they started chasing, I winged them,” one of the other men said. “Sorry to scare you.”

 

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. “Oh… it’s okay. Um… thank you.”

 

It was still dark, and the dock lights had disappeared behind the warehouse. With Jonathan’s hand holding hers again, they followed the guys to an SUV parked at the side. “I can’t believe you came so prepared.”

 

He grinned, his gaze sending warmth through her cold body. The door of the SUV opened, and Jonathan ushered her in. Nerves still tight, relief moved through her as the others piled in. It was crowded with the large men, but tucked next to Jonathan, she let out a shaky breath. They had a long way to go to get home safely, but a sense of calm now moved through her as the SUV started down the road, taking her farther away from the pier.

 

“It’s nice to have you with us, Marcia,” the driver said, having twisted around to smile at her. “I’m Bennett.”

 

The man next to him shifted around as well. “And I’m Adam.”

 

She nodded, then looked at the man sitting next to her.

 

With a chin lift, he added, “Poole. Good to meet you.”

 

She leaned forward slightly to look outside the window next to Jonathan, but she discerned very little with only a few streetlights illuminating the area. Seeing Jonathan look down at her, she shrugged. “I don’t really even know where we are.”