The boat should’ve left an hour ago. God knows what happened to Sucre. But at this point, it didn’t matter—you were finally in Panamanian waters. It was only a matter of time before you found them.

You exhaled sharply, lips pressed tight as you leaned over the railing. The air was thick with salt, the wind teasing strands of hair across your face. Your fingers drummed against the metal in restless rhythm, eyes narrowing at the endless blue ahead.

“See anything?” Alphonso called out, voice straining over the engine’s hum.

You glanced back. “Not yet,” you said, shaking your head. “But we’ll find them.”

Minutes bled together until something flickered in your peripheral vision—a yellow buoy rocking lazily with the waves. You squinted. There was movement. Figures.

You pushed hair out of your face and called back, “You mind getting any closer?”

Alphonso nodded, adjusting the throttle. The boat lurched forward, waves slapping against the hull. Then came the yelling—hoarse, desperate. You’d know that voice anywhere. Lincoln.

Your pulse spiked.

It’s them.

“Hey! Hold on!” you shouted, waving as the boat cut through the water.

The engine roared, then sputtered to a stop beside the buoy. Relief crashed through you as familiar faces came into focus—sunburnt, soaked, but alive. You reached down, gripping Lincoln’s arm and hauling him up.

He landed on deck with a grunt, eyes darting to Alphonso. “How’d you find us?”

You barely heard him. You were already moving—helping the others aboard, one after another, muscles burning, heart pounding. Then you look down.

And froze.

Blue eyes met yours—tired, sharp, and irritatingly familiar. Mahone…

You hesitated.

Surely you’d help him. Right? Even after everything? After he hunted you down like you were just another mark?

You weren’t sure what infuriated you more—that you hated him… or that you still couldn’t stop feeling something when he looked at you like that.

His hand rested on the edge of the boat, knuckles white. That stare—half daring, half pleading.

“You gonna help me up or not?” he asked, voice rough but steady.

You swallowed hard, jaw tightening. The water slapped against the hull, waiting for your answer.