Chapter 28

Ethan's car skidded to a stop at the port, barely over fifteen minutes after he had jumped in. He leapt out, heart pounding, scanning the area for any sign of Dani or the arrest team. The early morning air was sharp with the tang of salt and diesel, and the lights of the Majestic Dawn loomed in the distance.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he quickly answered. "Yeah?"

"Behind the storage building to your left," she instructed. "The arrest team is waiting."

Ethan hurried in the indicated direction. As he rounded the corner, he saw a group of four men in tactical gear.

"You were fast," she said, tossing him a bulletproof vest. "And that's good. The port operator relayed they have called twice already about the tests."

Ethan pulled the vest on. The weight settled over his shoulders. He grabbed a porter uniform and pulled it over the vest, hoping the bulk wouldn't give them away.

The men around him, all muscled and fit, looked nothing like porters.

"According to the information the port operator has given me, there were twenty crew members and fifty guests on board the Majestic Dawn," Dani informed him, handing over a big box with test kits.

Ethan slipped on a face mask. Aside from lending credit to the possible outbreak deception, the mask had the added benefit of hiding his features.

"The odds aren't great if the guests or crew are armed," Ethan muttered, his voice low and tense. "But at least we have the element of surprise."

He glanced at the team around him, their eyes, hard with determination, met his.

Haunching his back a little to appear smaller and weaker, Ethan started to cross the dock toward the ship.

From his peripheral vision, he noticed the arrest team moving to the back of the ship. They moved in coordinated silence with their weapons at the ready. The only sound they made was the rustle of their clothing as they placed their feet silently on the concrete ground.

Adrenaline surged through Ethan's veins and his mouth went dry. His senses heightened as he approached the ship, forcing himself to keep his steps measured.

His job was to distract and delay the crew.

Ethan's heart pounded as he approached the gangway, doing his best to appear calm and professional. He forced his breathing to steady. As he stepped onto the ship, he was greeted by three crew members, one of whom was unmistakably the captain. The man's posture was rigid, his eyes scrutinizing Ethan with suspicion.

Ethan held up the box. "I was told to bring you these tests. Do you know how to use them? We can send medics onto the ship to help if needed."

The captain's frown deepened, but he shook his head. "No, no, that's fine."

Ethan nodded. "I have to wait for the results. No one is allowed to leave the ship until your health is confirmed. Also, you're not allowed to leave the dock."

The captain glanced at his watch and scowled. "We're scheduled to leave at five. I'm not willing to pay extra for the delay."

"I'm sorry about the delay." Ethan shrugged. "I don't know about extra payment, captain. You'll have to discuss that with the higher-ups."

The captain muttered something under his breath. "All right, all right. Wait here while we distribute the tests."

One of the crew members took the box and they began to move away. He kept his stance relaxed but ready, his eyes subtly scanning the area for any signs of trouble. The captain stayed with Ethan and folded his arms.

Ethan's phone buzzed in his pocket. "Must be my wife. She's texting me nonstop today. Excuse me." He pulled the device out and read the text from Dani.

We're in position. Waiting for your signal.

He typed back.

Stand by. They're distributing the tests now.

Ethan slipped the phone back into his pocket. "Sorry again. Can't keep the missus waiting or I'll be in the doghouse for days."

"Yeah." The captain didn't lose his sour expression.

A few minutes later, the two crew members returned with an almost empty box. "We've handed out the tests. Now what?"

Ethan met his gaze steadily. "You three will have to do a test as well. After that, we wait for the results. Shouldn't take long."

The captain's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Fine. I'll be in my office." Turning to the crew member holding the box, he snapped, "Give me one of those."

As the captain walked away, Ethan's gaze followed him. Relief coursed through his body as the man disappeared into the ship's interior. He turned his attention to the other two. "Please perform the test as well. I'll wait."

"Don't go roaming the ship," one of them warned.

Ethan held up a hand in surrender. "Do I look stupid? I don't want no nasty virus infection."

"Fine," the man huffed before they both walked away, each holding a test kit.

Ethan glanced around, making sure no one was watching too closely, then discreetly sent another text to Dani.

Go time.

Roger that. Moving in.

Ethan leaned against the railing, settling in for the wait. His heart raced. The tension was almost unbearable. He had to keep his cool, to keep the crew from suspecting anything until it was too late.

Minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. A few crew members passed by, casting suspicious glances his way but saying nothing. Ethan maintained his posture, doing his best to look bored.

Ethan's pulse quickened as he noticed the arrest team moving in with precision. The scene erupted in a sudden flurry of activity. The men in tactical gear emerged from the shadows. Shouts pierced the air, cutting through the early morning calm like a knife.

The crew's faces twisted from confusion to panic.

Some froze, wide-eyed and unsure of what to do, while others darted frantically, looking for an escape route.

Seizing the moment, Ethan slipped through the commotion. He weaved past a crew member who stumbled back, hands raised in surrender.

Inside the ship's narrow corridors, Ethan's heart pounded louder than the cacophony outside. He reached the captain's office and went inside without bothering to knock.

The captain jumped to his feet with a look of shock and anger on his face.

"What the hell is going on?" the captain demanded.

"The game's up. You're under arrest."

The captain's eyes widened, and for a moment, Ethan thought he might try to resist. But the fight seemed to go out of him, and he slumped back into his chair, defeated.

"Where are the captives?"

At the safehouse, Hunter leaned against the side of the building, dragging deeply on a cigarette. The familiar burn in his lungs did little to calm his racing mind.

"Never seen you smoke before, brother," Max said, appearing at his side with Rex trailing behind him.

Hunter scowled at the cigarette tip, watching the smoke curl into the air before taking another drag. He blew out the smoke slowly, his voice a low grumble. "Quit almost fifteen years ago, but fuck." He dropped the cigarette to the ground, crushing the butt under the heel of his boot.

"Yeah," Rex agreed, his face pale. "It is fucked up. I can't imagine what these women have been through. At least the guards didn't rape the children. Apparently, there's a high demand for virgins." His voice wavered, and he looked like he was about to vomit.

Hunter's jaw tightened at Rex's words, a fresh wave of anger surging through him.

"Got any more smokes?" Max asked, breaking the tense silence.

"Nah. Got this one from Thomas," Hunter replied. "He and the others are guarding this place, just in case we were followed."

Max nodded. Hunter's gaze flicked to the front door of the safehouse, where the rescued women and children were being tended.

"How will they get over this ordeal?" Hunter asked nobody in particular.

"We'll help them," Max answered quietly, his voice steady. "And we'll make sure those bastards pay."

Hunter raised his chin, meeting Max's gaze. "Damn right we will," he muttered. "This isn't over until every last one of them has paid."

The three men stood in silence for a moment, the gravity of their situation settling in. Hunter's mind raced. They had come so far, but there was still so much to do. He glanced at Max and Rex. "Let's get back inside." Hunter pushed away from the wall.

As they headed back into the safehouse, Hunter's cell phone started to ring.

When he pulled the device out, Ethan's name flashed on the display.

"Ethan?"

"We've got them. Aubrey is fine. I'm heading over to the safehouse with them now."