Cruel Tides

Chapter5

The room plunged into darkness.

Natalie’s breath hitched as chaos erupted below deck. Muffled screams, hurried footsteps, and the unsettling groan of the massive vessel shifting against the waves filled the air.

Her pulse pounded in her ears as she took a cautious step backward, her eyes darting between Liam and Izzy.

Izzy stood still, completely unbothered, as if she had expected this, as she had planned this. The flickering emergency lights cast eerie shadows over her poised figure, and for the first time, Natalie felt a sliver of fear coil in her gut.

“What did you do Izzy?” Natalie’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Izzy tilted her head, her cold smile never faltering. “I did what was most necessary.”

Liam’s hand shot out to grab Natalie’s wrist, his grip tight and urgent. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

Natalie wrenched her arm free. “Not until you tell me what the hell is going on and why Izzy is suddenly interested in my death”

Their bodies trembled slightly beneath them, a warning of something far more dangerous lurking around the room they were in. Liam’s eyes darted around before he let out a frustrated breath.

“Izzy’s been planning this for months,” he said quickly. “She knew you’d show up, and she’s using tonight to get rid of you.”

Natalie scoffed. “Get rid of me? What does that even mean?”

Izzy finally stepped forward, her expression unreadable. “It means, darling, that you shouldn’t have come.”

Before Natalie could react, the sound of heavy boots echoed from the corridor leading to the deck. Security guards—no, not security. Hired men. And they were coming straight for her.

Natalie’s heart slammed against her ribs. This wasn’t just jealousy. This was something else entirely.

“Run,” Liam whispered.

But it was too late.

Two of the men lunged toward her. Natalie barely twisted in time, her heel skidding on the slick deck as she shoved one of them away. Another hand grabbed at her waist, but Liam was faster. He swung hard, his fist colliding with the man’s jaw, sending him stumbling back.

“Natalie, move!”

She didn’t need to be told twice. Ignoring Izzy’s laughter, she bolted toward the stairwell leading below deck, Liam right behind her. The emergency lights flickered, casting everything in eerie shadows as they descended.

“We can’t just run forever,” Natalie hissed as they turned a sharp corner.

“We won’t,” Liam said grimly. “We need to find Damien.”

Natalie’s stomach twisted. Damien. He was still at the reception, completely unaware of what was happening.

A loud thud echoed behind them. Someone had fired a shot.

“s**t,” Liam cursed. “They’re serious.”

No kidding.

Natalie’s mind raced. There was no way they could just run to Damien without getting caught. They needed a plan. Somewhere to hide. Somewhere—

“The bathrooms,” she blurted. “They won’t expect us there.”

Liam hesitated for only a second before nodding. They turned another sharp corner, narrowly avoiding the men chasing them. Liam followed Natalie’s legs as they pushed forward, dodging past bewildered staff and drunken guests who had no idea of the danger lurking around them.

The door to the bathroom was stuck, but Liam yanked it open and pulled her inside just as footsteps rounded the corridor. They pressed themselves against the mirrors hanging on the wall, hearts hammering in unison.

“Why the hell is your wife trying to kill me?” Natalie whispered harshly.

Liam hesitated, then sighed. “Because I never wanted to marry her.”

Natalie’s head snapped toward him. “Excuse me?”

Liam dragged a hand down his face. “Izzy found out about a deal I made with her father. If I didn’t marry her, I’d lose everything.”

Natalie’s breath hitched. “So you didn’t leave me because you wanted to?”

“No.”

The weight of his confession hit her like a punch to the gut. But before she could process it, a loud bang echoed through the door. The men were here.

Liam grabbed her hand. “We’re getting out of this, Natalie. I promise.”

But promises meant nothing anymore.

Not when danger was closing in.

Natalie’s fingers clenched around Liam’s as they moved toward the bathroom’s small, frosted window. The sound of footsteps outside grew louder, voices barking orders. They had seconds at best.

Liam pressed his palm against the glass. “We can squeeze through.”

“You first,” Natalie whispered.

Liam didn’t argue. He hoisted himself up, pushing his upper body through the narrow gap before twisting to extend a hand to her. Natalie scrambled up, her heart pounding as she felt the cool night air against her skin. The moment she was out, Liam pulled her down the narrow metal walkway attached to the exterior of the ship.

A harsh voice yelled from behind. “There they are!”

Gunfire cracked through the night.

Liam grabbed her waist and shoved her forward. “Move!”

They sprinted down the walkway, the evening was so quite that usual. If they didn’t get out of sight soon, they were dead.

“There!” Liam pointed toward a stack of supply crates near the mango tree ahead.

They jumped, landing hard against the unforgiving surface of the ground. Natalie gasped as pain jolted through her ankle, but there was no time to slow down. Liam pulled her into the shadows, pressing a hand against her back to keep her still as footsteps stormed past.

The seconds stretched painfully long before the area fell silent.

“We need to find Damien immediately,” Liam whispered. “He’s the only one who can help at this point”.

Natalie swallowed. “And what if he’s part of this?”

Liam’s jaw clenched. “No he's not.”

Natalie was shocked by his response with the fact they had a long term feud and now he's supporting Damien?

“So the whole plan is by your wife?” She sounded angry

“Natalie, I'll explain later but first we need to escaped this live!”

And Izzy was still out there, waiting for them to fall into her trap.

They made their way through the dimly lit corridors, avoiding the guards patrolling the upper rooms. The ballroom was still full of guests, oblivious to the chaos happening below. They slipped inside through a side entrance, the music and laughter feeling almost surreal.

Damien stood near the bar, laughing with an older gentleman. He looked up just as they approached, his expression shifting from amusement to concern.

“Natalie? Liam? What’s going on?”

“We need to talk,” Liam said urgently. “Somewhere private.”

Damien studied them for a beat before nodding. “Follow me.”

They moved swiftly through the lavish hallways until they reached Damien’s private suite. The moment the door shut behind them, Natalie let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Damien folded his arms. “Start talking.”

Liam didn’t hesitate. “Izzy tried to have Natalie killed.”

Damien’s face darkened. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I'm sure about what I'm saying!” Liam replied

“He's right Damien, Izzy; his new wife and my old best friend is trying to kill me!” Natalie said with her breath shaking

“ Izzy? But why?” Damien asked

Natalie turned to Liam who was walking around in circles with his hands rushing through his hair “ we should be asking him!” She said angrily.

Liam raised his head up looking at Natalie and taking a glance at Damien

“ This….this all my fault” he said hurriedly

“What do you mean Liam?” Damien asked

“There was something… something hidden about me and Izzy's family “ Liam said sounding scared.

Natalie grew impatiens as she expected Liam to spill the beans out immediately

“Will you talk already or do you want me to force it out of you???” Natalie asked aggressively.

Damien walked up to her with his hand resting on her shoulder trying to calm her down and out of anger she moved his hands.

On the other hand, Damien grew intense interest in what Liam had just said. It sounded like a secret. One he was trying to uncover. The main reason why he decided to be Natalie's date for the wedding.

“ Liam, I want you to calmly explain what you just said but please do it faster, Izzy might show up soon!” Damien calmly said

“I…I can't Damien, even if I wanted to, I can't!” Liam answered

With anger written all over Natalie's face “ What the hell do you mean by that Liam! Why can't you explain why she wants me dead???”

Damien grew impatient as well, he wasn't expecting such response from him after giving him such a calm response.

But before Liam could even have a chance to speak another word, gunfire rang out again, closer this time. A voice shouted from the hallway. They all turned toward the door, hearts pounding.

A loud bang on the door that forced it open followed the gunshot

Izzy’s voice drifted through the air, smooth and amused. “Oh, darling, you really thought you could run?”

The lock clicked.

They were trapped.