To avoid attention, Mason climbed up the stairs away from Ilona and slipped around behind the crew. After a few minutes, when he was sure Nick was no longer watching him, he snuck back past him and the rest of the men in the direction Ilona had gone.
Walking towards the stern of the ship, Mason's eyes scanned the decks until he caught sight of her. Feeling his breath catch in his throat, he came to a stop and leaned his hip against the rail closest to him, folding his arms.
Ilona Black stood barefoot on the ship's rails again, this time holding onto a backstay and leaning back against it as if she was laying on a steep hill. With the ropes supporting her, she tilted her head back and gazed at the stars above.
