Haley’s words—“ Saving my life doesn’t mean I have to marry you.”—kept echoing in his mind, hitting him again and again.
And that one moment of stunned silence was all it took.
The man—thought to be unconscious—suddenly burst back in through the door. He lunged from behind, wrapping a hand tightly around Haley’s neck and dragging her backward toward the edge of the yacht.
His other hand pointed the knife straight at Justin. “Don’t take another step! One more move and I swear I’ll snap her neck!”
“I’m not moving,” Justin said, his voice low but tense.
He glanced at the churning sea behind the railing, then at the way Haley struggled to breathe under the man’s crushing grip. Panic flashed in his eyes.
“You—go get the knife. Bring it here and stab yourself in the wrist!” the man barked.
“Okay. I will. Just don’t hurt her,” Justin said, inching away toward the helm to retrieve the knife.
Haley’s eyes scanned the surroundings frantically, searching for any opening to break free.
S
