Capture of the Defiance

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Henry grumbled a curse under his breath before it changed to a grunt of satisfaction when he finally threaded the wire through the narrow opening. The blasted wire that had taken almost an hour to run only took two minutes to hook up to the back of the last light. Of course, it had been the last one, which made it even more frustrating.

He quickly sealed the end of the wires in shrink wrap to prevent corrosion from the salt water and sealed the area around the light before tightening the stainless steel screws. With a quiet groan, he straightened and tilted his head to listen when he heard the sound of footsteps on the ceiling above him. A sigh of relief escaped him that Makayla had made it back safely and before the rain started.

A grimace crossed his face when he realized that he would need to clean up the galley before they could stow the groceries. He bent to pick up the Philips screwdriver and extra wire. A rueful grin curved his lips and he started to turn around when he saw a shadow pass between him and the entrance to the companionway. Turning, he froze in confusion when instead of Makayla, a tall, slender man wearing black stood in the opening.

“Hey, what are you doing on my boat?” Henry demanded in a gruff tone. “This is a private vessel.”

The man’s face remained eerily immobile. Henry could feel his gut twist in warning. His hand automatically tightened on the screwdriver he was holding. The marina was guarded with security personnel and cameras, but that didn’t mean that crime couldn’t still happen.

His gaze swept over the man silently watching him. There was something off about him. This wasn’t some ordinary punk looking for a few dollars. Hell, the man’s shoes alone would probably pay for his dock rental for a month. No, this man exuded power – danger – and he was here for a different reason. Henry would bet the Defiance on that.

He drew in a deep breath and slowly raised his gaze back to the man’s face. Henry’s fingers flexed on the items he was holding. If he was going to make it out of this situation alive, he needed to be smart about it.

“I don’t have much money if that is what you are after. Kidnapping me wouldn’t even buy you another pair of those fancy shoes you’ve got on,” Henry said with a nod. “If that’s not what you’re here for, state your business.”

“You were given an item the other day, Mr. Summerlin. It belongs to my employer. He has requested that it be returned,” the man stated, taking a step closer.

“An item…? How the hell do you know my name? Who’s your employer?” Henry demanded in confusion before he drew in another deep breath. “Listen, I don’t know what in the hell you are talking about. I’m an American. I’m sailing around the world – period. I don’t have any item that I haven’t brought or purchased. If you’re with the police, show me your credentials, otherwise get the hell off my boat.”

Henry’s eyes widened when he saw the shadows of two more men through the opening. He backed up, but knew he was trapped. There wasn’t much room below deck and definitely nowhere to hide, except maybe the head. The idea of locking himself in it was beginning to look very appealing.

“I am not with the police, Mr. Summerlin,” the man stated in a cold, steely tone. “The other day in the marketplace, a man bumped into you. He gave you a package. Where is it?”

Henry took another step backwards when the man advanced while he spoke. A confused frown creased his brow. What the hell was going on?

“You mean the guy who got hit by the van?” Henry muttered, shaking his head. “He didn’t give me anything.”

“He slipped something into one of the bags you were carrying. I want it back,” the man continued, taking another step closer until he was within arm’s reach of Henry. “My employer has requested your presence, Mr. Summerlin. It would go much easier for you if I were to present both you and the item that was stolen from him.”

Henry knew it would be futile to deny that he had whatever in the hell the man was talking about. It was clear that the man planned on taking him whether he had the item or not. Swallowing, Henry could feel the fight or flight adrenaline surge through him. Since he couldn’t flee, that left fighting.

Henry threw the wire he was holding in his left hand at the man’s face and swung out with the screwdriver in his right. The man countered and Henry grunted, a shaft of pain sucking the breath out of his lungs.

As if in slow motion, Henry saw the man dodge the wire, bring his left hand up, and grab his wrist. He felt the bones in it snap when the man savagely twisted it at an odd angle. The pain sent him to his knees. He gasped, holding his arm against his chest and blinked back the tears of pain clouding his vision. Henry lifted his head and stared back into the man’s eyes when his attacker knelt down in front of him.

“I am prepared to break every bone in your body if it becomes necessary, Mr. Summerlin,” the man said in a cold, calm voice. “Make no mistake, my employer is more than willing to do much worse to retrieve the information that was taken from him. If you resist again, I will break your other wrist. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Henry hissed out between clenched teeth. “But, for the record, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, and if I had been thirty years younger, I’d be the one calling the shots.”

The man tilted his head and studied Henry for several long seconds before a hint of a smile curved his lips. It wasn’t a pleasant smile, but it was at least a reflection of emotion which his face had been devoid of up until now. Unfortunately, it didn’t make Henry feel any better.

“Perhaps, but you will never be thirty again,” the man finally remarked in a quiet tone before he rose to his feet and spoke in a dialect unfamiliar to Henry. “Transfer him to the boat.”

That was the last thing Henry heard. He had started to struggle to his feet, but the man had swung back around and struck him on the side of the head with what felt like the butt of a gun. He could feel his body falling over.

Instinctively, he cradled his broken wrist against his chest to prevent it from hitting the floor. His body rolled to the side and Henry foggily registered the trickle of warmth sliding down past his ear. He could add a head wound to his broken bone.

Before darkness washed over him, the fleeting image of Makayla’s smiling face flashed through his mind. If there was one shining light to all of this, it was the thought that at least she wasn’t here. He could only hope that she was safe.