Michael reddened. “So we don’t ask! We send in the Marines, take out Hornbrook, and get my grandson!”
Hez felt a migraine forming behind his eyes. “The Marines won’t do that, Michael. They’d be invading another country. It would be an act of war.”
“He’s right.” Hope seemed to deflate. “Hornbrook is in Venezuelan territorial waters. The American government can’t do anything. You’re on your own. I’m sorry.”
Hez exchanged a long look with Michael.
“I have someone who can help us,” Michael said. “He used to work for the CIA, and he owes me a favor. Flight time is six hours, plus an hour or two to get to the island. Grab yourpassport and Savannah’s and Simon’s as well. I’ll call my friend on the way and have him get his team together. It’s a tight timeline, but we have to make it work.”
Whatever his faults, Michael’s love for Simon just might save Savannah and Simon this time.
Chapter 21
“Savannah.”
Hez’s voice was a sure sign Savannah was dreaming, and she buried her face in the pillow. She didn’t want to be pulled from a pleasant dream and face the fact that she and Simon were likely to be herded aboard a boat to be tossed off for a shark snack.
A hand shook her. “Babe, we have to get out of here.”
Hez’s harsh whisper jolted her awake, and she opened her eyes to blink the sleep away. A form moved in the faint glimmer of moonlight through the gauzy curtains of the cottage. Was she still dreaming?
But no, Hez’s strong hand grabbed her arm and tugged. She sat up and glanced around. Simon still slept in the other bed, and both dogs came toward her with tails wagging.
She licked her lips. “Hez, it’s really you?”
He tore off the black mask so she could see his face, grim with determination. “I’m getting Simon, and you corral the dogs. The guards will be coming any minute. Hurry.”
She swung her feet to the floor and patted her thigh for the dogs to come to her, while Hez moved to Simon’s side and roused him. The boy woke up instantly and didn’t askquestions. He and Hez followed her to the door, and they stepped out onto the porch. Armed figures in dark clothing and black masks stood guard watching the area, and for a moment she thought they were Hornbrook’s men. But one of them put his finger to his lips and gestured for her to go with him.
She raced after him with Hez and Simon on her heels. Three other men brought up the rear. The shell path to the beach bit into her bare feet, but she barely noticed as she raced for the inflatable Zodiac boat that bobbed in the surf ahead of them.
Hez caught up with her and pushed her nephew toward her. “Get Simon to the Zodiac.”
She paused to grab Simon’s hand as Hez dropped behind her and raised his gun. Her feet left the shell pathway and sank into soft sand. When the salty breeze hit her face, she felt the first surge of hope that they might escape. Before she could relish the burst of optimism, four men, two on each side, leapt from the shadows.
Cody barked ferociously, then snarled and ran at the closest of the two men, who kicked Cody away. Cody yelped but leaped back into the battle.
“Leave my dog alone!” Simon tore his hand free from hers and ran at Hornbrook’s men. Marley snarled and followed the boy.
Hornbrook’s top goon grabbed Simon and yanked him away. Simon’s kicks and punches did nothing to deter Anton as he and the other guard hauled Simon toward the main house.
“Get to the Zodiac!” Hez shouted to her. “I’ll get Simon.” He ran after the men with his gun up.
The three other rescuers ran after him, and Savannah pivoted to see Anton and two other guards disappear into themansion with Simon. The dogs barked helplessly outside the heavy oak door.
Gunfire rang out, and Hez and the other men hit the manicured turf as bullets zinged over their heads. Hez would be hampered by being unable to return fire with Simon in the fray. They scrambled into the shadows and got to their feet. Hez tucked his gun away before he and the other men disappeared around the corner of the house.
She waded into the waves, and warm water lapped at her legs. She clambered aboard the rubber boat and grabbed the oars instead of starting the engine, which would alert Hornbrook’s men to her approach. The tide was going out, so it was an easy maneuver to navigate it to the end of the pier on the far side of the house. She grabbed hold of the bottom rung on the pier’s ladder, pulled herself up, and threw a rope around a piling so the Zodiac wouldn’t float off. Heart pounding, she ran toward the house.
Gunfire still echoed above the sound of the surf, but it came from the other side of the building and didn’t seem to be aimed at her. Still, the dock was well lit, and if anyone saw her she’d be an easy target.
She reached the house. Back flat against the stucco exterior, she gulped and listened. Voices came from inside, but no more gunshots. Crouching low, she tried the door. It opened into a small room with life vests and other boating equipment. An unlit hallway stretched away into shadows. She had to find Simon and Hez, but she couldn’t call out without alerting Hornbrook and his men.
She crept along the darkened passage, listening for any hint of movement. Her skin crawled every time she passed a door.They were fighting on Hornbrook’s turf and she hated it. It seemed to take forever to creep along the passage and search the nooks and crannies as she went. Where were they?
“Aunt Savannah.” Simon’s whisper was just ahead.
She spotted him crouched down behind a chair with his arms around the dogs. She didn’t see Hez and the other rescuers. Her heart squeezed at the thought that Hez might already be shot. The gun battle had raged for several minutes. Was everyone else dead?
