Two weeks later, Sasha and Yamac are finally on the yacht Baris procured, preparing to leave for the gun drop. The yacht will take them to drop coordinates in the Caribbean, where they will meet up with the buyers. I need the perfect outfit for the yacht! Sasha laughs at the expression on Yamac's face when he spots her.
"Close that mouth, Yamac bey, unless you're going to put it to good use." A cocky grin takes over Yamac's face. "There are several ways I'd like to put my mouth to good use." He said. Sasha steps closer to him, inhaling the scent that is purely Yamac.
"Is that a promise?" She asked. "You can bet on it." Yamac said. Sasha walks her fingers up the centre of his chest. "A promise from Yamac Kocovali. That must be worth it's weight in gold." She said. "Or guns." Yamac said. Sasha rolls her eyes.
"Bad joke, Yamac." She takes a few steps back from Yamac before they get themselves into a compromising position. "This boat is beautiful!" Sasha spins in a slow circle, taking in the opulence. Cushy seats dot the deck, and a hot tub sits at the rear of the boat. A table is set for meal service with real china.
"It feels more like we're taking a luxury holiday than going on a gun run." Sasha said. Yamac walks up behind her, circling his arms around her waist, as if he can't keep his hands off her any longer. "It's a little bit of both, isn't it?" He asked. "Yamac, we can't lose focus." Sasha said. "No, but we can have some fun." Yamac said.
"I'm not sure I'll be able to do that until we've gotten rid of those guns." Sasha said. "I can think of some ways to distract you." Yamac said. He spins Sasha to face him, and his mouth claims hers before she can even gasp. Sasha pulls apart when a throat clears nearby.
"Captain Demir." Yamac doesn't release her, his arms tightening when she tries to step away. "I'll be manning the yacht and navigating us to the coordinates. Just wanted to see if you were ready to take off." Captain Demir said. "I think we're ready. You remember we are meant to have no extra passengers, yes?" Yamac said.
He looks meaningfully at the several crew members bustling around the deck. "Of course. They will help me leave port and take one of the dinghies back." Captain Demir said. "Good." Yamac said. Captain Demir gives a curt nod and strides away.
"Yamac, will we be okay without a crew once we're in the open water?" Sasha asked. "The trickiest parts are leaving and arriving at port. I'll help drop anchor as needed." Yamac said. "It's sexy when you talk boaty to me." Sasha said. Yamac pulls her into his chest, crushing her into a hug.
The ocean stretches out in front of them, boats, large and small, dotting the view as far as they can see. "Are you okay?" Sasha asked. "Better than okay. These past couple of weeks have been the happiest I've been in a long time." Yamac said.
Yamac presses his lips to the top of Sasha's head, and then she leans back to study his face. "Yamac, happy looks good on you." She said. A mischievous smile spreads across Yamac's face. "Do you want to know what or who looks good on you?" He asked. "The tiny bikini I packed?" Sasha asked.
Yamac's eyes widen. "Geez, Sasha." Something sparks in his eyes, and he swallows hard. "I love you, Sasha." Sasha's heart stutters. This is the first time either of them have said it since he came back. "Oh, Yamac." She said. "I'm not expecting anything, Sasha. I just wanted you to know. You deserve to know." Yamac said.
Tears form into Sasha's eyes at the sincerity in Yamac's expression. An emotion that feels suspiciously like love floods her entire being. Can I tell him how I feel? Do I even know how I really feel? Am I ready? "Yamac, I love you too." Sasha said.
Yamac's smile is brighter than any she's seen before. It looks almost painful. "That is the best news I've heard since the last time you told me that." He said. Sasha laughs. "When we were teenagers?" She asked. "Yes, which means this time is so much more powerful." Yamac said. He pulls her close again, his lips crashed with hers.
"I love you, I love you, I love you." Yamac continues to chant as his lips explore Sasha's jawline and down the column of her neck. "Yamac! I love you so much." Sasha said. She clasps his head to her chest as he rests there, hot breath moving against her skin through her shirt. Eventually, Yamac straightenes and kisses her forehead, smiling tenderly.
"I'm going to go see if the crew needs any help leaving port. Why don't you explore?" He said. "Don't leave me alone too long. I may find some good hiding places." Sasha said. "I would enjoy looking for you." With that, Yamac walks away to talk to the crew members, leaving Sasha watching after him.
Sasha wonders below the deck, taking in the plush accommodations before finding her way to the cabin area. I could get used to this. Their bags have already been brought in. Sasha contemplates changing into a swimsuit. She pulls out the pieces of fabric that tie together to cover her important bits.
Yamac is going to flip when he sees me in this. Before Sasha can head back to the deck, there is a sharp rap on the door. She swings the door open to find Captain Demir, genial smile in place. "Captain Demir? Can I help you?" Sasha asked. "We're about to push off. I thought you'd like to watch from the deck." Captain Demir said.
"I definitely do, thank you!" Sasha starts to follow Captain Demir, but he stops suddenly, turning to face her again. "Sasha hanim, I just want you to know that you're in good hands here." He said. "Pardon?" Sasha asked. "I am positive everything will go smoothly. I was hoping to soothe any nerves you might have." Captain Demir said.
Should I be experiencing nerves? "Captain Demir, I'm not nervous at all." Sasha said. Captain Demir raises an eyebrow. "I see. I'm glad to hear it. Still, I wanted you to know everything is under control." He said. "I appreciate it. Truly." Sasha said.
With one last nod, Captain Demir resumes the walk above the deck, Sasha trailing close behind. "Ready to soak up some sun?" Yamac's arms cage her in from behind as she stands at the railing. Sasha turns in his arms and his eyes widen.
"This swimsuit looks even better from the front than it did from the back." Yamac said. "You like it?" Sasha asked. "It will be easy to tear it off." Yamac said. He sweeps her into his arms and lays her on a couch at the back of the boat. "All the crew is gone and Captain Demir is on the bridge. We're basically alone." He said.
Yamac looks at Sasha, lust in his eyes. "I want you to be naked. Now." He said. "Yamac, I want to strip for you." Sasha said. "If you insist." Yamac said. Sasha stands and moves her body seductively, working with her clothes to create a naughty peek-a-boo show. Yamac reclines on the couch, hands behind his head, his approval tenting his board shorts.
"Was that okay, Yamac bey?" Sasha asked. Yamac reaches for her and hauls her up next to him. "That was fucking perfect." They make out for a while and then lean back, appreciating the sun on their skin. "Why can't this always be our life?" Sasha asked. "It can be. You just say the word." Yamac said.
Sasha laughs. She brings her mouth to Yamac's, and then kiss a line down his jawline to his throat. "That feels nice, Sasha." Yamac said. Sasha smiles against his skin. "You're killing me." Several minutes pass before Sasha sits back to breathe. "I can't imagine either of our families being okay with us disappearing to frolic naked in the Caribbean." She said.
"Let's not think about them while we're naked in the sun." Yamac said. "They do tend to bring the mood down." Sasha said. This man has the patience of a saint. They spend the next couple of hours dozing and kissing, rubbing suncream on each other and sunbathing.
Too soon, the sun sinks below the horizon, and Sasha reluctantly follows Yamac below for a shower. She gets dressed.
*
The following day, Sasha and Yamac take a dinghy to a small island to explore while Captain Demir rests. "I've been thinking." Yamac said. "Nothing good can come from that." Sasha said. "Well that's rude." Yamac said. "I say it with the greatest fondness." Sasha said. "Mmhmm. Sure." Yamac said with a chuckle.
"Anyway, as I was saying, I've been thinking." He said. Sasha rolls her eyes and lays back on her hammock. "Maybe you should just hang out here for a couple of days." Yamac said. Sasha tries to sit up straight in her hammock and nearly flips over. Finally she dumps herself out onto the sand. "Excuse me?" She asked.
"We have plenty of resources, you could camp on the beach, read some books, get a tan." Yamac said. "And if something happens? I just live out the rest of my days Island of the Blue Dolphins style?" Sasha said. Yamac stares at her. "That was a random literary reference." He said. "Yamac, don't change the subject." Sasha said.
"You're the one who threw that out there. Was I supposed to ignore it?" Yamac asked. "In the middle of an argument? Yes." Sasha said. "Look, I'd leave you the satellite phone as well. We're still close enough that you could easily call for help." Yamac said. "No." Sasha said. Yamac has risen from his hammock as well and Sasha stands facing him, arms crossed.
"Please, Sasha. I would feel better if you were out of danger." Yamac said. "What happened to being in this together?" Sasha asked. A muscle in Yamac's jaw ticks. "We've been in it together this far." He said. "Which is why we will finish it together." Sasha said. Yamac runs his hands through his hair.
"I'm not changing your mind, am I?" He asked. "No. Not a chance." Sasha said. Yamac trudges through the sand and pulls her into his arms. "I'm terrified of losing you." He said. "Yamac, you know I have to do this." Sasha said. "You can handle anything." Yamac said. Sasha wraps her arms around his waist and places her head into his chest.
"You can't leave me. Not again, Yamac." She said. "I won't. Not ever. I swear." Yamac said.
It's late afternoon the following day, and Sasha is listening to heavy footsteps stomping past her room. She reached the rendezvous spot early this morning, and Yamac took over the transfer of the guns to their ship. She's been given strict instructions to stay completely quiet and keep the door locked.
Yamac said the men we're meeting have been told to stay out of any rooms with closed doors. Still... I'll be glad when they're off the yacht and we're on our way again.
After what seems like hours, the footsteps outside the door stop, leaving only those above deck. Sasha creeps to the door and unlocks it, peeking out. She sighs in relief to see an empty corridor. Yamac will come down and get me soon, and we can celebrate.
Sasha lays back on the bed, eyes closed, and smile when the bed dips and a hand rests on her arm. "It's about time." Sasha opens her eyes and shrieks as she sees a stranger leering at her. "Get out of here." She shouted. "But this is such a nice room." The stranger said.
"Don't make me kill you." Sasha said. The man laughs, and a chill runs down through Sasha at the coldness of what should be a happy sound. The man's hair is slightly overgrown and stringy, and his teeth hint at years of drugs and cigarettes. The part that sends chills down her back, however, is his eyes. Hollow, dead, black and soulless.
He's definitely not supposed to be here. Where is Yamac? "I think I'll stick around for a while." Sasha scoots across the bed as he reaches for her. "What do you think you're doing? If Yamac finds you down here, you're dead." She said. "I'm not scared of Yamac Kocovali. I wanted to see what he was hiding in this cabin he insisted was off-limits. I had no idea such a treasure was hiding out. Not smart for Yamac to bring his woman along."
Anger surges through Sasha at his comments, and the intent that is becoming clear. "Last chance to turn around and leave." She shouted. "Why would I do that?" The man said. "Fine. Go ahead and underestimate me. I'm sure it will turn out fine for you." Sasha said. "Let me think about that..." Without warning, he lunges for Sasha, ripping at her clothes.
Panic floods through her veins. There's no way this is happening. The man grabs at her clothes, ripping them. "Hey! I liked this shirt!" Sasha shouted. "I'd like it better off you." The man said. "That's not going to happen." Sasha said. The man is clearly amused, and he takes both Sasha's hands in one of his.
"This will be better if you don't fight it." Sasha pulls her knees up, allowing the man to settle between them. "That's it. This could even be fun." He releases Sasha's hands, assuming she's giving in, and her hand creeps to her ankle sheath, pulling her knife.
"You need to stop right now!" She shouted. The man glares at her. "You stupid girl. You were never meant to make it out of here." The man said. "What do you mean?" Sasha asked. "You should be careful who you trust. You never know who's going to turn on you." The man said.
Dread washes through Sasha, and she struggles not to maintain eye contact. "Be more specific." She said. "Someone you trust betrayed you and sent you to your death." The man said. "I don't believe you." Sasha said. "I don't give a fuck." The man raised his voice.
"If you're telling the truth, why were we set up?" Sasha asked. "Like I'm going to tell you." There's a sick feeling in Sasha's stomach. "This can't be true." She said. "Believe it, baby." He lunges for her again, and she reacts instinctively. Sasha arcs her knife through the air, flipping it and bringing the handle down on the man's temple.
She hits the right spot the first time, and the man's body immediately goes limp, crushing Sasha under his weight. Ugh, I didn't think that through. The door flies open, and she sees Yamac standing there, breathing hard. "What the hell?"
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Thank you for reading, vote+comment and I'll see you in the next one. Bye! 💕