The longboat full of pirates dropped down towards the rough water as if in slow motion. Mason felt his heart ache as he stood staring up at Ilona's tear-streaked face while he fell, but his mind immediately started to spin.
He couldn't do this. He couldn't leave her. Not after everything they had been through together. Not after the way she made him feel. He had to do something.
The whirring sound of the rope flying through the old pulleys as the boat fell suddenly caught his attention. She may have cut the rope Nick was holding, but Sam had only let go of his.
Mason turned and saw it there, still connected but only for a moment as the frayed end raced towards the pulley.
He didn't wait or give it a second thought.
