Chapter 23

Just like that, Gabriella and Stephen boarded a red-eye flight back to Tramont. By noon the next day, they arrived at Bluewater Port with Alex, right on schedule. The water was calm. The larger vessels had already set sail, leaving only a small boat tethered to the dock by a thin rope. It bobbed gently on the waves. There were two figures aboard—an adult and a teenager. Clearly, this was the kidnapper. The moment Alex, Gabriella, and Stephen laid eyes on the person holding Lucas hostage, their breath hitched. "Melody?" they exclaimed in unison. Alex furrowed his brow, his voice edged with irritation as he demanded, "What the hell are you doing?" Melody turned at the sound of his voice. Nothing obscured her face, leaving the scar at the corner of her eyes exposed for all to see. Meanwhile, Lucas lay slumped at her feet, bound and unconscious. His frame shielded most of her from view. Melody froze momentarily at the sight of three of them. But then, just as quickly, the w