Accidental Shield

Crap. The bombs in the crates. There must’ve been more of them than the lone explosive they’d thrown after me.

“You were there,” Cornaro says, drilling those dark eyes into me. “He threw you into the skiff, then one of my men chucked a bomb in after you. I was furious when I found out you’d gotten away. But low and behold, Calum rescued you, making this twist of fate worth the stress.”

I still don’t understand that part.

He turns to his man at the door again.

The goon shakes his head. “Sir, the landing party isn’t answering from Waimanalo.”

“Give them more time,” Cornaro growls, then turns back to me. “I knew Rayman here, with a little encouragement…” He nods toward Ray, hinting at the beating. “Would tell Flint everything. So I had men in place, waiting at the King Heron office.”

My heart hits my throat so hard and fast my airway tightens.

I can’t breathe.

“He’ll be here soon,” he says. “Then we’ll set sail for an hour or two and wait for the chopper to drop off your mother.”

I shake my head. “Your men won’t survive against Flint. He’s not alone. His Damysus team is with him.”

I swear fear flashes in Cornaro’s eyes. “Nonsense! They disbanded after our ruckus in Bali years ago. Couldn’t stand taking on more work.”

I look up slowly.

This could be our bargaining tool. I have to fan that hint of fiery dread.

“Wrong, Joel. They went underground. They only do specific, private cases now, except when someone crosses them…and I’d say you’ve done a mighty fine job snatching me and trying to trap Flint. Just wait until he catches up to you.” I give him my ugliest smile.

For a second, Cornaro snorts, but his smarmy expression breaks down into a tortured frown. He looks over at the man in the corner. “Hale? Any word from Raven Team?”

The man hesitates. “No, sir. Not yet. We’re—”

“Incompetence!” He explodes, kicking at the table so hard the glass cracks, then shatters apart. “To hell with this. Take us out to sea right now! We’ll feed these two and their mother to the sharks and come back for Calum and his minions later.”

Hale scrambles across the room to the bar, pulling out a bottle. Cornaro rakes both hands through his coal black hair.

“Never mind the drink!” Glaring at me, nostrils flared, he growls, “I’ll get it myself. That’s the only way anything ever gets done properly.”

At the door, he whips around, jabbing a finger at me. “If you’re lying to me, Ms. Gerard, you’ll pay dearly. You’ll suffer abominably before shuffling off your mortal coil.”

I have half a mind to shrug and tell him he’s already planning on feeding me to the sharks, but I see the stupidity in that. He’s incensed, showing all the signs of a violent rage waiting to be tripped.

I can’t buy time if he strangles us with his bare hands.

Cornaro storms out of the room.

I try to take in a deep breath, but I can’t. The boat rumbles faintly, the engines engaging.

Ugh. What have I done?

I’m going to get us all killed. Worse yet, I may have already gotten Flint killed. Leaving Bryce without a father. Without anyone but Beverly.

Poor Beverly.

I just killed her son.

And my mother’s son.

And myself.

I’m so flipping stupid!

I squeeze my eyes shut and will myself to think. Just think.

“It’s going to be okay, Val,” Ray says. “I’ll…I’ll think of something.”

I want to lash out at him, tell him it’s too late for that, but I hold it in.

It’s a miracle he’s even alive right now. I squeeze his hand, holding back the tears.

“I’m sorry, sis. Not just for putting you through this King Heron shit. I’m sorry as hell for…for everything. I didn’t treat you right.”

I’m almost hyperventilating when I meet my brother’s eyes.

His sincerity nearly breaks me on the spot.

I can’t see the monster who stole my conch shell or the vicious boy who always selfishly put himself above everyone else. Not now.

There’s just this battered man, desperate to make amends before the bitter end.

I squeeze his hand harder, nodding as the tears fall.

If we survive, I’ll need more than a heartfelt apology to get over the pain he’s inflicted. But for now, if this is all we get?

“It’s okay, Ray. I know…I know you tried.” My voice cracks, my mind drifting to someone else who’s out there, trying to save our lives.

God, this can’t be happening.

If Flint survives and I don’t, by some miracle, he’ll wind up blaming himself. Just like that woman in Bali. I can’t let that happen.

I release Ray’s hand and squeeze my own together. My finger skims the ring. The gorgeous black pearl is still there. My mind goes to silly pirate movies.

The films where there’s no higher ideal than freedom, and captains love their ships like family. Those ships set them free. So does their treasure, gold and jewels and exquisite pearls just like this one.