Chapter 574

Brixton's expression turned thunderous as he barked out his orders, "Spread the word-find Hannah now!Lock down every exit and search the entire ship. Tear the place apart if you have to. There's no fucking way Hannah just disappeared into thin air in a place this small!"

"On it!" Scorpio snapped to attention and sprinted off, his team scattering like startled birds.

The hallway erupted with pounding footsteps and sharp voices as the frantic search spread through the ship.

Inside her hiding place, Hannah froze, pulse racing.The sudden chaos outside told her Brixton had discovered she was missing. She strained her ears,catching every distant shout and heavy bootstep.

Muffled steps broke the silence, frantic yet careful,closing in on the bathroom door like a storm in slow

motion.

A sudden shove sent the door swinging open in one swift motion.

Aanya rushed in with Luna and several other dealers,faces taut with urgency as they scanned the room.

Pretending to be startled, Hannah let out a shaky cry."W-what do you want?"

Aanya's gaze gleamed with cold malice. "Brixton has noticed you're missing. If he finds you now, we're finished.So there's only one way to keep this from blowing up-we make sure you vanish."

The women lunged, seizing Hannah by the arms with bruising force.

Hannah gave a convincing struggle, thrashing just enough to look desperate, her voice breaking as if in fear,while letting them drag her toward the porthole.

Aanya's lip curled as she snarled, "Don't look at me like that! I hadn't wanted to end you like this. Then again, blame yourself for getting in my way."

With a final, savage push, Aanya and Luna sent Hannah tumbling through the gaping porthole.

A sharp splash followed. The black sea swallowed Hannah instantly, the icy water clawing her downward.

As the current wrapped her tight, Hannah welcomed it with a sharp, silent satisfaction. Her plan pulled off.Now all that mattered was whether Vincent could reach her before it was too late.

Her body fought to stay awake, limbs thrashing weakly as she tried to claw her way to the surface.

Just when the last of her strength seemed ready to give out and the waves threatened to pull her under,a blinding beam of light cut across the water.

A sleek speedboat roared closer, slicing through the dark waves.

"There-she's there,go!"

That voice-she knew it. It was none other than Vincent.

Strong hands hauled her out of the freezing sea.A thick blanket cocooned her shivering body, but her eyelids refused to stay open. The world tilted and slipped into darkness.

Hannah had no idea how much time passed before her senses slowly returned. Her lashes fluttered,and she stirred, every muscle sore and heavy, her body still trembling with exhaustion.

Vincent, who had stayed glued to her side the entire time, instantly noticed her stirring and caught her hand, his voice hoarse with breathless relief, the edge of panic not yet gone. "Finally, you're awake.Are you alright?"

Seeing the worry in his eyes made Hannah's chest ache, and she gripped his hand with all the strength she could muster.

Without another word, Vincent wrapped her against him, holding her so tightly that it was as if he wanted to fuse her to his chest and never let go.

For a long moment, they clung to each other, hearts pounding, their relief and love after such a narrow escape magnified until it nearly hurt.

Only when their breathing had steadied did Vincent ease back. He carefully offered her a cup of water,waiting until she'd taken a few sips before speaking his expression grave. "I got the message you sent.Thank God I made it in time. How did you end up overboard?"

Hannah recounted everything that happened with Aanya, her voice still faint. Vincent's jaw tensed, his brows drawn in a fierce line. "You were far too reckless. What if I hadn't gotten there in time? Were you ready to just gamble with your life like that?"

The thought of how desperate she surely was mnade his voice rougher, the image clearly haunting him.

Hannah squeezed his hand gently, her voice soft but steady. "But I'm right here, aren't I? You found me in time."

After a pause, Vincent exhaled and shifted to the real reason he'd come. "Brixton sent me something a

while back."

Her brows drew together as she inquired, "What did he send?"

His expression hardened, eyes like steel. "A corpse-burned beyond recognition. He wanted me to think it was you."

A sharp pang clenched Hannah's chest, stealing her breath for a moment. "And you..."

"Of course, I didn't fall for it," Vincent cut in, his tone resolute. "But I played along. I set up a meeting and let him pick the time and place."

Her eyes widened as she caught on. "You're going to use that meeting as cover-to free those women on the second deck and get them off the yacht,aren't you?"

"That's right!" Vincent gave a firm nod. "This is the best shot we've got. Brixton's focus will be locked on the meeting, and most of his men will be tied up there. That should leave gaps in their security that

we can exploit."

Hannah leaned forward, her voice quick and urgent."Kayce mentioned that in a few days, the Odin will shut down the casino for a private banquet-some big profit-sharing event. When that much money's involved, it's only a matter of time before conflicts occur. If we can stoke the flame and throw them into chaos, we'll have the perfect chance to extract those women."

Vincent's jaw tightened as heabsorbed every word,his eyes shadowed with worry. With a firm grip on her shoulders, he delivered his words with grave seriousness. "Anna, I'll plan this rescue down to the last detail and throw everything I have into it. But you, you're not going anywhere. Don't set foot outside this room, or I'll have someone send you straight back to Dorbarrow. I've already lost you once. With the Odin this dangerous, I won't gamble on losing you a second time."

Hannah's resolve didn't waver. She shook her head,her eyes clear. "No. I won't stay in this room. I have

to return to the Odin."

A crease formed between Vincent's brows,frustration and concern warring in his expression."That place is too dangerous. Just listen to me."

"I know the risk." She caught his hand and held it tight. "But I gave my word. I promised those women I'd help, and I swore to Kayce I'd get Alfredo out. I've seen what they are going through down there. Now that I have a real chance to help them, I can't turn my back on it. If I do, I'll never forgive myself."