Page 194 of The Romance Adventure

CJ cuts the engine when we get close and paddles to the brigantine. Up close, it’s enormous with splintered wood and truly tattered sails. It’s a surprise the thing still floats and isn’t a relic at an island attraction or part of a movie set.

I gesture to the guys before realizing they likely have no idea what the gestures mean. CJ, eyes sharp, seems the most equipped to deal with whatever happens.

I listen carefully over the water lapping the hull. I’m just about to fire my grappling hook and climb aboard when I hear a soft plop.

CJ motions aft and I squint into the darkness. Night vision would be handy right now. All my covert equipment is still in a gear locker.

A cloud shifts from in front of the moon and a figure takes shape. A slender figure with curly hair glides through the water away from the ship.

I want to shout at her through the night. Ask her what she thought she was doing. Scold her for how dangerous this is—kayaking at night, getting on a ghost ship.

It isn’t nearly as calm as it was when we took the tour earlier and the boat rocks in the waves. Lally bobs like a cork in the water—like a living, breathing message in the bottle. One I refuse to listen to right now. But at least she’s out here and not smuggled into the faraway unknown aboard the Dark Seas.

My chest burns with anger, relief, and something else. If anything happens to her... I send up a prayer. Take me instead. I’ll sacrifice myself ten times over rather than her be in harm’s way. Then again, that’s the exact thing I’ve been trying to avoid.

CJ takes control of the situation and jets over to the kayak.

In the moonlight, Lally’s eyes widen.

He angles so we’re parallel.

“Nice night,” Ryan says. “Do you come here often?”

“Oh, hi guys. What are you doing out here on this lovely evening?” she asks, fluttering her eyelashes.

“Lally,” I say more sternly than I probably should, given the way she slits her eyes.

“Sorry. I was in character. But I got you the goods.” Lally moves to pull something from under her arm when the waves toss the kayak and it nearly capsizes. “It’s getting a little rough out here.” Her voice quavers.

I’m about to dive and wrestle her into the boat if I have to when CJ helps her aboard. Her sweet coconut scent wafts my way. The flare and flag wage war inside.

For the first time in our lives, CJ gives me a look. The kind of look I’d get from a superior if I needed to take a knee.

The boat ride to shore is silent.

The walk to Lally’s cottage is like the grave.

She stops in front of her door and says, “Sorry. Not sorry. But I got this. Thought it might help with your great adventure.” Her voice is small, defeated as if she knows it’s over.

I have about a million questions, but I take the bottle containing the fragment of a map in hand, marveling at it.

“And I know things between us are—” But she doesn’t finish. Just goes inside and closes the door behind her.

My brothers wait for me back at the cottages.

“She’s safe,” Ryan says.

“But is she your fiancée?” Royal asks.

“No, I should probably focus on—” I wave my hand toward the cottages.

“Is that what Sean would’ve wanted?” CJ asks.

“You guys don’t understand. That could’ve been me.”

“No, brother. We are well aware,” Royal says.

“I know you guys wrestled with the fact that I could’ve fallen in the line of duty. I mean, stress, depression, any of it could take me out at any time.”