If The Seas Catch Fire(120)

“What the f*ck are you doing?” Felice demanded. “Are you insane?”

Sergei huffed sharply. “Shut up, or I’ll put a gag in your mouth.”

Felice eyed the gun in Sergei’s hand and must’ve decided not to push his luck, because he fell quiet and stayed that way.

Dom drove the boat from crab pot to crab pot. At each one, he stopped, and Sergei pulled up the pots and retrieved the sealed kilos, which Dom stacked in the living area.

“How many more are there?” Sergei rubbed his lower back gingerly.

“Ten, maybe fifteen?” Dom shrugged as he steered toward the next one. “We have to keep them spread out.”

“There’s got to be a more efficient way to do this.”

“You have any ideas?”

Sergei exhaled. “No.”

Felice struggled against his handcuffs, hissing as he apparently pulled on his stitches. “You sons of bitches. What the f*ck are you doing?”

Dom nodded toward him. “Would you shut him—Oh shit.”

Sergei’s head snapped up. “What?”

“The Coast Guard.”

Sergei craned his neck, and his heart dropped. Sure enough, the Coast Guard boat was pulling up, and it was slowing down. They weren’t just going to stroll on by, were they?

“What do you think they want?” he asked.

“Don’t know,” Dom muttered. “They don’t usually harass us unless they’re getting suspicious.”

“Of course they’re getting suspicious,” Felice said. “My men have probably already—”

“Your men think we’re having a private business meeting,” Dom snapped. He glanced at the boat and scowled. “We’re not required to let them board and search us, but I’d just as soon not raise suspicions.”

Sergei thought quickly, and then turned to Dom. “Go out and stall them.” Sergei paused. “Take off your shirt and muss your hair a little first.”

“Take—”

“Trust me.”

Dom hesitated.

“Trust me, Dom.”

Dom exhaled, but he pulled off his shirt and hurried outside.

The Coast Guard boat pulled up close, its engines getting louder as it did. Not much time.

Sergei turned to Felice. “I’m leaving you here, and you’re going to keep your f*cking mouth shut, or I will—”

“Fuck you.” Felice spat blood at his feet. “You’re not going to—”

Sergei pistol-whipped the f*cker, the impact of the gun against Felice’s cheekbone reverberating up his arm.

Felice blinked a few times. Blood trickled from his face, and he stared at Sergei, stunned.

“I’m not f*cking around,” Sergei growled. “Make a goddamned sound, and I’ll make sure you live a very long, very hellish life. Wouldn’t take much to plant some evidence and get you convicted of something child-related. And all it would take is a rumor around the prison yard that you’re a child molester, and you’ll learn the meaning of hard time. Am I clear?”

The Italian swallowed. Slowly, he nodded.

“That’s what I thought.”

He double-checked that Felice’s bindings were secure, shoved a gag in his mouth, and then headed down to join Dom, peeling off his shirt as he went.





Chapter 34


Dom trusted Sergei, but this seemed insane. Shirt off? Hair mussed? What the hell did he have up his sleeve?

But he hadn’t led him astray so far, so Dom stepped out onto the deck and leaned on the railing. The smaller vessel was manned by two young coasties in uniforms and sunglasses, and one was out on the deck.

“Can I help you, gentlemen?” Dom asked.

“Good morning,” the coastie said. “Sorry to bother you, but we’ve gotten some reports of—”

“There you are!” Sergei singsonged.

Dom spun around, and his heart stopped. Sergei wasn’t just strutting down the steps from the upper deck, he was completely naked with a wine bottle in his hand and a very prominent erection.

Oh God. What in—

Sergei turned to the guys on the boat. “Oh, hey boys!” He waved at them. “We’re on our honeymoon!”

The blushing coastie chuckled, shifting uncomfortably. “Oh. Uh. Congratulations. Um—”

“Oh my God.” Sergei flashed Dom a grin, then looked back at the coasties. “You boys should join us!” He held up the bottle. “We’ve got tons of champagne and gallons of lube, so—”

“Seriously?” Dom gaped at him. “What—”

“Relax, baby.” Sergei wrapped an arm around him and nuzzled his neck. “Just play along.” Then he grabbed Dom’s crotch and called out to the man below, “Come on, boys! What do you say?”

The other coastie stepped out of the cabin. “What’s going on out—oh, lord.” His eyes about bugged out of his head, and his face turned even redder than the first guy.

“Um.” The first cleared his throat. “Don’t worry about—”

“Hey, honey!” Sergei gestured at the red-faced one. “Do you top? Please tell me you top.”

Apparently the poor kid’s face could get darker. He blinked a few times, and then disappeared inside.