In the distance, Amy could make out movement on Bird Island’s cliffs—small figures that had to be Porter and Colt repositioning themselves for whatever was coming. The knowledge that Nash’s brothers were there, ready to fight if necessary, gave her a small measure of comfort.
Suddenly, three boats materialized from behind the island’s rocky outcropping, cutting directly across their path.
“Hang on!” Trent shouted, yanking the wheel hard to port, trying to evade them. But it was too late. The other boat was faster, more maneuverable, surrounding theStone Cutter.
“Cut the engine!” one of them shouted. He had one hand on the wheel, while others pointed guns at them.
Amy and Trent exchanged a quick glance. Trent’s jaw was set in determination, but Amy could see the calculation in his eyes.
Before either of them could decide on their next move, a man leaped from the boat onto theStone Cutter’s deck. “Amy Roberts!” he called over the engine noise.
Another man jumped on board, too.
Amy and Trent backed away from the controls, but there was nowhere to go on the relatively small boat.
“What do you want?” Amy demanded, trying to keep her voice steady while Trent positioned himself slightly in front of her.
“Same thing we’ve always wanted: information and cooperation. Now, thanks to your little treasure-hunting expedition, we know exactly where to find what we’re looking for.”
“Both of you, come quietly,” he said. “No one needs to get hurt today.”
“Our friends will come looking for us,” Trent said, his voice steady despite the circumstances. “All of them.”
“I’m counting on it,” the cold-eyed man replied. “That’s rather the point.” He reached for Amy.
Trent started to pull a gun.
Someone from a boat shot him in the shoulder.
Trent got a shot off, but it hit nothing.
Another shot hit Trent in the other shoulder.
“No!” Amy yelled.
The man cocked a gun and pointed it at Trent. “Come with me, Amy or I finish him off.”
Trent tried to stand but the other guy kicked him in the face.
Trent slunk down.
Amy tried to run at the guy and hit him, but he was solid.
He turned and folded her into his arms.
The other man grunted at Trent. “I guess we leave him.”
“Let go of me!” Amy yelled.
But the man was too strong and he was already taking her with him off of the boat and hopping onto the other one. “Sorry, sweetheart, you’re ours now.”
CHAPTER 20
Nash broke the surface with a sharp intake of breath, water cascading from his diving mask. He expected to see Amy’s encouraging smile from theStone Cutter’s deck. Instead, his blood turned to ice.
TheStone Cutterwas there, but something was terribly wrong. The boat listed slightly to one side, and Trent looked slumped over the controls.
“Trent!” Nash shouted, already swimming hard toward the boat.
