He was the problem. Royer had stuck around Brookwell, looking for a way to force Trent’s hand. This was about getting him to stand down. Well, points to Royer for finding the one thing that brought him to his knees. “Someone’s been watching me too damn closely,” he muttered. How could he have missed that? Observation was the key to everything in this job.
“How?” Jess asked. “You’re isolated at the Hideaway. That’s why we put you there.”
“Not exactly. It’s a private beach, but that construction site next door is a hive of activity,” he reminded her. Everything that had been a minor inconvenience suddenly became a looming threat. “Royer was definitely there more than just the night I overheard him with Corey.”
“More than one accomplice,” Boone said. “I can push Corey on that.”
Trent didn’t like where this was leading. “The boat seizure wasn’t an error or lapse.” He should’ve recognized the signs earlier. “He was disposing of that crew. Probably with plans to upgrade personnel.”
“I’m betting the kayak’s been a distraction ever since Natalie caught sight of him,” Brayden said. “He’s got you focused on that while he’s putting other pieces in place.”
“You’re right.” Trent wanted to roar with the unfairness of it all. “I messed up and Natalie could pay the price.”
“No,” Jess snapped. “We’re thinking positively here. You’ve done everything according to the intel we had. Royer grabbed a momentary advantage, fine. But this move tells me he’s desperate. And desperate men make mistakes.”
He couldn’t let Natalie take the brunt of that kind of mistake. “I need to find her,” he said, his voice raw.
“Go on,” Jess said. “Brayden and I will consult with Connor. Boone will take another run at Corey. We’ll find the trail,” she vowed.
He bolted from the office and raced across the island to the marina. Even braced for chaos, taking in the scene threw him off balance. Police Chief Caldwell had arrived. He and Boone had Corey isolated from the rest of the action.
Trent wanted his own view of the scene and stalked through the crowd, down to the dock. Boone must’ve warned the chief of Trent’s impending arrival because no one got in his way. He saw that red kayak at the end of the dock and clenched his fists.
Logically, he knew it wasn’t all his fault, but emotionally… Well, he shoved that down deep. There would be time to deal with all of that once Natalie was back, safe and whole. Right now, she needed him cold. Focused. A hunter dialed in on his prey.
He refused to let any bad outcome take root in his mind.
Natalie was vibrant, wonderful, and the world needed her and the artwork she created. She had barely scratched the surface of her talent. He wouldn’t let her get snuffed out.
As he marched along the dock, he studied the line of sailing school boats and thought about the good stuff.
Every minute they’d shared was its own light. Her smile as she served him warm cookies. That first kiss at sunset on the boardwalk over the marsh at Parker’s. The campfire that got rained out. Indoor s’mores. That first night in his bed. The shower this morning.
If any harm came to her, it was on his shoulders.
He had brought this to her family home. There was no doubt about what this place meant to her—personally and professionally. Her love and passion showed in her eyes every time she talked about this place. Brookwell was her foundation, the place she’d felt safe enough to become her truest self.
He would not let Royer wreck that for her.
CHAPTER 20
Natalie jerked awake and knocked her head against a hard wall. Holding her breath until the pain subsided, she realized everything around her rumbled. It took a moment to realize it was the vibration of a boat engine. She was chilled, her damp dress and hair sticking to her skin. Faint light filtered through a porthole and she found herself in a galley. The lights were out but she could see the cabinets were glossy wood with high-end finishes and well cared for.
How in the world had she wound up here?
With an effort, she tried to remember something. She’d been at the Hideaway, then taken herself to the marina. She remembered talking to Bryce and then…
Royer. That red kayak. And Corey.
Royer had grabbed her. Dumped her in the water. She’d struggled against him, but clearly not well enough. However he’d gotten her here, she wasn’t about to stick around. Pushing to her feet, she was tossed against the table as the boat sped up, the bow lifting and falling over the chop. Already out on open water?No, no, no. She had to get out of here before she was too far from shore.
Whoever was at the helm, they were pushing the vessel pretty hard. It was enough to make her seasick down here. She pressed a hand to her belly and crept toward the stairs. The hatch was closed, hopefully not locked. No one had bothered to tie her up, so apparently, they didn’t consider her a threat. She would use that to her advantage.
She looked around for an emergency radio or a weapon of any kind. She searched as quietly as possible, considering the boat heaved up and down like some furious bucking bull. Whoever dumped her down here probably believed she’d get knocked around and concussed.
They were very nearly right. But Natalie found a knife, one that felt good in her hands, and then she searched for a radio. As well-appointed as this boat appeared to be, she was sure there was more than one.
It didn’t take her long to find the device. She had no way of knowing what channel her captors might be using, but she had to try. Even if they were monitoring the emergency channel, she had the knife now to defend herself.
