Page 129 of Fire Island
Antsy, I pace the deck, focus never leaving the beach as Firefly rocks with the waves. I toss the fenders over in case we contact the rocky ridge. Honestly, I couldn’t care less. I’d swim the ocean to get to her.
Every man has his limit, and I’m coming up on mine. Fast.
Of all the ways she could stretch my heart, this one is the worst.
The fire lancing my veins grows hotter with every minute that passes and the beach remains empty.
Desperate, I stalk back to the cabin and grab the binoculars. A blur of green fills the lenses when I press them to my eyes. Focusing with the tiny wheel on the top, the blur fades as the forest sharpens.
Still, all I can see is trees, brush.
Nothing else.
“Dammit!”
I toss them to the storage box at the stern. Running my hands through my hair, I take to pacing.
“Come on, mo ghràdh.” The growl leaving with the words rattles me.
When the low tone doesn’t fade, I look over my shoulder.
The Coast Guard boat races toward my position, its bow plowing over the choppy water like it doesn’t exist.
“Coast Guard to Firefly, we have a visual.”
I pluck the radio from my hip. “Firefly, copy. Hold position. Over.”
“Holding, bud.” Emmett’s voice is strained. Evie is like a little sister to him. This must be all too familiar after the last time he had to come to her rescue.
Movement from the forest line catches my attention.
I squint to make out?—
Reese breaks through the trees, stumbling when his feet hit dense sand. I wait for Evie to burst from the thick green brush right after him.
Reese looks up and down the beach, as if hunting for someone. His gaze sticks on Firefly and he picks up the pace, flying across the sand.
I jump the gunwale and pick my way along the rocky ridge, heading for the beach. Slipping on the sharp rock I slow a little. Bracing, I jump down into the shallow water and wade toward my son.
His face is wrecked.
My heart stops in my fucking chest.
“Reese!” I break free from the water, running over the damp sand.
We collide, and I pull him into my arms. He’s breathless, groaning as he sags against me.
“You’re okay, bud. You’re safe.” I cup the back of his neck in a tight hold.
A beat passes, and he pushes away, shaking his head violently. “No, no.”
“Where is she?”
Thirty-Five
EVIE
My own stupid knife presses against my throat, my back pushed up against Timothy’s chest, my wrists burning in his hold as he restrains me. Warmth trickles down my neck as the sting sets in. The big guy closes the small distance that’s left between us, eyes searching my face.
