At some point, the growl of a boat shot past us, leaving a spray of wake and the rock of displaced waves.
That was most likely Cal, driving Eleanor, Jess, and Tasmin.
I didn’t stop.
That bastard had beaten me thanks to a motor and machine, but I’d win against the other bastard swimming beside me.
The farther we swam from shore, the darker it became. Black reef beneath us and blackening skies above.
No sound apart from the systematic splashes and the rasp of my lungs as I exhaled and inhaled on alternating strokes.
I was used to swimming long distances around my island. I enjoyed the lactic burn and the challenge of pushing myself past my abilities, improving on my endurance with each round, so when the pain in my legs began—still weak in places from harpoon scars and broken bones—I ignored my body’s urge to slow down and added more power.
Lights flickered ahead, pooling on the ocean from the mega yacht.
The final stretch was both the easiest and hardest—easiest because I reached a state where the burn became inconsequential, and hardest because that same burn made my legs heavy and my lungs beg for a better breath.
Spying the platform that’d been lowered at the rear for our arrival and the moored speedboat that Cal had commanded, I changed my direction a little and ploughed the rest of the way to the finish line.
A round of applause and whoops sounded as my hand slapped onto the platform, hauling myself from the depths onto Prest’s expensive yacht.
Beside me, Elder launched from the sea at the same time, leaping to his feet within microseconds of my own standing.
We eyed each other. Dripping wet, chests heaving.
We scowled.
Who the fuck won?
“It’s a draw,” Cal muttered. “Photo finish. We’d need a video-tape and replay to know who arrived first.”
“Shit.” I swiped a hand through my soaking hair. “That’s just aggravating.”
“I wasn’t expecting to have to work so hard.” Prest wiped his face. “You weren’t lying that you swim a lot.”
“Pity you didn’t get nibbled by a shark, seeing as you were behind.” I smirked.
“If anyone was gonna get eaten, it was you.” Prest panted, accepting a towel that one of his crew passed him. “You were the one splashing around like a dying seal.”
“Sore loser, huh?”
A girl in a trim uniform passed a towel to me. I accepted it with a nod and ran it over my chest and arms. “Regardless of my technique, I still kicked your ass.”
“Maybe I let you win.”
“Maybe I felt sorry for you and slowed down.”
He laughed. “Rematch?”
I narrowed my eyes, judging the length of his yacht. A couple of laps around the hull would ensure we were both fucking exhausted.
“Maybe another time.” Eleanor came to join me, kissing my cheek with a smile. “If it was up to me, you won.”
Tasmin went to Prest. “But if it was up to me, you won.”
Typical women, working on our pride to distract us from another challenge.
Prest eyed me with the same suspicion I did. It was just some friendly competition, but who did win?
Cal stepped between us, waving a white towel like a flag of surrender. “Shake and accept the draw, gentlemen.”
I gritted my teeth.
Prest paused.
The idea of a rematch still hovered between us.
“Sully...” Eleanor squeezed my waist.
“El.” Tasmin did the same to Prest, revealing who was in charge even when we pretended it was different.
“Fine.” I sighed and held out my hand.
Prest moved at the same time. We shook once before letting go. “Good race.” He nodded, rubbing his wet hair with his towel.
“Evenly matched.” I nodded back.
“Least no one got eaten.” Jess chuckled. “No limbs lost.”
“Eh, sir?”
A captain appeared on the above deck, the brass buttons of his uniform glinting off the lanterns hanging from the back railings. “If you wish to make your appointments on time, we have to go.”
“Okay, Jolfer. Thanks.” Elder passed his towel back to a staff member before guiding Tasmin to the bottom of the stairs. Taking her hand, he turned to face us. “I hope you enjoy your new purchases, Mr and Mrs Sinclair.” He smiled at Eleanor before looking at me. “If you have any issues with Thimble, which has already docked in Rapture according to my crew, just email.”
Eleanor smiled and went to Tasmin, giving her a gentle hug. “Goodbye and congratulations in advance for your wedding.”
Prest stiffened, his face clouded as if that piece of news was private.
Tasmin remained frozen in Eleanor’s embrace, her shock hinting again at her past. “Thanks for the drink.”
“You’re welcome.” Eleanor pulled away. “Anytime.”
Clearing my throat, I waited for her to return to my side.
Jess strode forward and also hugged Tasmin, the two women whispering something that made Cal’s forehead furrow with curiosity.
What the hell had they all talked about on the beach to have this level of friendship already? Obviously deeper subjects than what Cal and I discussed with Prest while sharing a beer or two.