Her lips twist, a smile almost escaping before she swallows it. I know she’s right. I know there’s nothing we can do, but I’m still struggling to find a way to make it work. We can’t go anywhere on this raft with Murphy out there. He could have backup. He could snatch us and run.

And as much as I want that to happen, for my own sake, I know I can’t let it. Swift’s livelihood depends on her position aboard the Minnow. If we do anything that could compromise it, her whole family pays the price. This morning, I would have done anything to escape the hell I’m sunk in. But now, as the sun starts to dip into the sea, I realize that I’m willing to give up that chance. Not just because of the kids, but for Swift too.

I reach out for her, not sure what else I can do. She startles when my hand comes to rest on her shoulder, and her eyes flick to mine.

“C’mon,” I say. “Let’s get back to the ship.”

Swift pushes forward suddenly and snares me in a hug so tight that for a minute I can’t breathe. Our knees knock together and we sink beneath the surface of the water, unable to tread when we’re so tangled.

I hug her back. I don’t care. I don’t care that we’re on opposite sides of a war, that I’m an ocean away from everyone I love and it’s mostly her fault. I don’t care that she’s the one thing standing between me and my freedom. All I care about is here and now, our own little world beneath the docks, where nothing from that ship can touch us. All I care about is her nose in my neck and the way her floating hair ghosts over my cheek. Her fingertips brush mine, the cuffs no longer the only thing binding us together, and I have to suppress an urge to twine my fingers with hers.

It’s a moment that can only last so long, and though I wish my lungs weren’t screaming for oxygen, I kick once, and immediately Swift’s grip on me slackens. I break the surface, nearly choking on the water as I inhale, and Swift’s there bobbing beside me, looking equally out of breath.

“I’m … sorry,” she gasps. “I didn’t mean—equal footing, I know, I know.”