Page 26 of Covert Past

A growl followed. “Clearly you do not. I’ll be on the island within the hour.”

If the boss could arrive so quickly, it meant he was nearby.

“If you’re flying, I can pick you up,” he said, trying to gain intel.

“I’ll find you.” The call ended.

Of course, everyone was on edge. The major event planned to coordinate with current world affairs must go off flawlessly. The margins for error were slim, he understood, but the boss hadn’t wanted to be involved before. Was he receiving pressure from those above him?

He shoved the phone into his pocket and gave himself a few minutes to let go of the anger. He’d been with the boss since before the initial attack that should have been the end of her.

Everything went wrong that night. Ayla had escaped. She was out there in the world working to figure out the truth. They did their best to keep her on the move and off her game, but evenhe knew it was only a matter of time before she guessed why she’d been set up to take the fall. By then, it would be too late.

???

The lightning flashes were becoming more frequent. Answering thunder sounded like they were entering a war zone. Boone was thankful when they reached the island’s pier. Being caught out on the ocean in a thunderstorm wasn’t exactly his idea of a good time.

Boone jumped onto the pier that looked as if it had seen better days. At least, he didn’t fall through. He grabbed the rope from Eli and tied it off.

The last half hour of the trip had continued to become more perilous. The wind gusts had to be close to thirty miles an hour, creating dangerous waves that made the trip nail-biting. Not to mention the light show.

“I’ve been meaning to repair that thing,” Declan said with a grin as Boone tested the strength of the pier. “We’d better secure the boat extra sturdy. I think we should prepare for a long night if we take a direct hit from the storm.”

Declan had been through several of these storms, he’d told them, but this one had all the makings of one of the worst Boone had ever seen.

It felt as if everything were coming together to create a showdown of epic proportions with Ellie’s past that had him wondering who would be left standing.

Boone helped Ellie from the vessel and steadied her when a wind gust almost toppled her over. “You okay?”

She slowly nodded. “I have a bad feeling about this, Boone. A really bad one.”

He felt the same way.

Declan killed the twin motors. He and Eli unloaded boxes of supplies.

With everyone carrying supplies, Declan clicked on his flashlight and led the way. “There’s a path, but it gets grown up after the summer rains. Watch your step.”

Eli strode behind Declan. Boone let Eli go first so that he could keep an eye out for any danger behind them.

Boone saw no sign of anyone coming after them. He guessed the bad guys weren’t keen on braving the weather or the waves. Yet Boone couldn’t relax. The tension between his shoulder blades seemed to confirm whatever was going on with Ellie was a long way from being over.

“Another family has a place on the island. The Petersons. Robert and Becky. Looks like they may be here. I see houselights. I’ll check on them once we get settled in. They have several teenage boys and a couple of girls.” Declan stopped in front of a small cabin and retrieved the key from behind a porch light. “It only has one bedroom. I figure Ellie can take the bed, and we’ll bunk down in the living room. I have plenty of sleeping bags.”

A lightning bolt struck far too close, illuminating the cabin. Though small, the log cabin had an appeal, Boone could relate to. A place to get away. To think. Maybe catch up on some fishing . . . or spend the time with someone you cared about. He glanced over at Ellie, who had kept close to his side as the storm grew in ferocity.

Declan opened the door and then flipped on a light switch. Boone was surprised there were lights until he realized they were generator powered.

“The generator’s outside the kitchen. I have it set up to where I can control it through my phone.” Declan set his bag near the door.

“How’s your fuel supply for the generator?” Boone had noticed there were several cans of gas onboard. Chances were, they could be stuck on the island for a while.

“We should be good for a couple of days. Let’s hope it doesn’t take longer. I’ll go back and grab the rest of the fuel with Eli. I’m praying the main part of the storm misses Hope Island and here.”

Boone hoped for the same thing. He carried the box of food over to the table and placed his overnight bag on the living room floor.

“I’ll give you the nickel tour,” Declan said with a grin. “Kitchen and living room.” He stepped past themdown the hall and opened a door. “Bedroom’s in here and bath across the hall.”

Boone realized they were getting more than a tour. Declan used it to confirm the place was empty.

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