Emerald Fire. Monica McCabe

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СКАЧАТЬ the driveway toward the rear of the bungalow. As rentals went, the owners had a lot of nerve calling it a beach cottage. The place was totally surrounded by woods. The so-called beach access cut a thick path through the trees. You couldn’t see the water or hear waves. Bad for tourists, but ideal for staging clandestine operations.

      Finn took a few deep breaths in an attempt to get a grip on what they were about to try to pull off. It was the craziest thing he’d ever contemplated for a bounty. Extreme measures to get the job done came with the territory, but fighting crime with crime? Raiding a pirate stronghold with nothing but a mule-headed historian and a pissed-off jeweler? Not his brightest idea. He just hoped to God none of them got killed.

      Once out of sight from the road, Finn tossed his duffle bag on a picnic table by the back patio door. Dusk had settled in, and the shadowy tree line made it even darker. With two miles to walk between here and the pirates, there was plenty of time for the necessary cover of darkness to set in.

      “All right,” he said, “let’s get changed and go over the plans.”

      Chloe tossed her bag up next to his and dug out the black outfit she’d bought at the market earlier today. Then she turned her amber-eyed gaze his way and frowned.

      He just quirked a brow at her and smiled.

      “Don’t do that.”

      “What?” he asked innocently.

      “Smile. I’m not used to it.” She gestured her fingers in a circle. “Now turn around. Both of you.”

      Jonathan laughed at his niece, but both men obliged.

      “Your niece is a bit bossy,” Finn said.

      “It’s inherited. Her mother and I used to battle it out regularly while growing up. That didn’t stop as adults either.”

      Sounds drifted over Finn’s senses, teasing him. The slide of fabric as Chloe lifted her flowery shirt over her head, a belt unbuckling on those dainty little cotton Capri pants she wore. The temptation to turn around and peek was overwhelming. If they’d been alone, he would have done just that. Instead, he forced himself to focus on her uncle and not think about the feminine curves unveiling right behind him. Damn, but she was a dangerous distraction.

      To change the path of his thoughts, Finn began taking a mental evaluation of his gear. Flares, flashlights, semi-automatic with extra clips, navigation chart, and sunglasses for the days aboard the Fire sailing north. For the heist of the century, he carried surprisingly little.

      “So you’ve done this before and succeeded, right?” Jonathan asked him.

      “Bearding pirates in their den?”

      “Yeah. I’m wondering how much to worry about our survival.”

      “It’s not going to be easy, if that’s what you’re asking. But if you start thinking about bullets and bloodthirsty criminals, you’ll choke. Keep the focus on getting to the Emerald Fire and sailing her out of here.”

      “It’s not me I’m worried about.” Jonathan jerked his head toward the distraction behind them. “She’s too persistent for her own good. I made a promise to watch over her. Of course, at the time, I had no clue what I was getting into.”

      “Hey,” Chloe piped up. “Stop worrying about me. I told you I can take care of myself.”

      Finn had serious doubts about that. But she was right about one thing—time wasn’t on their side. Options were limited, and every minute that passed chipped away at the chance of recovery. It was strike now or go home empty-handed. And that kind of failure would be the end of his plans for NorthStar. Finance companies were blind to the potential of his business and refused to loan him money. It didn’t matter the land was a family hand-me-down, his free and clear. Nor did it matter he’d already sunk a sizeable amount into improving the property and historical buildings. Nope. He was on his own. He’d no choice but to go for it. But did he have the right to risk the lives of others in the process?

      “You can turn around now,” Chloe said.

      He did and drank in the sight that met him. Her form-fitting black clothing accentuated her smooth skin and highlighted her trim, toned body. Even with her hair pulled into a tight braid she looked sexy as hell. Guilt snaked in. He had no right to risk her life this way. As twilight settled around them, he suddenly realized he wanted her gone. Wanted her well away from the danger they were walking into.

      “It’s not too late, Chloe,” Finn said. “You and Jonathan can fly home and leave this part to me.”

      Her jaw hardened in that determined way he was beginning to recognize. She wasn’t going to take the easy route.

      “I told you from the beginning I’m not backing down, and I haven’t changed my mind.” She stuffed her tourist clothes into a bag as she spoke. “Quit stalling and get dressed. We’ve got ground to cover.”

      Jonathan laughed as he switched his island print button-down for a solid black T-shirt. “I swear, you and your mother are cut from the same cloth. She never walked away from a challenge either.”

      “This will be dangerous,” Finn kept trying. “The pirates will fight back.”

      “We know that,” Chloe said as she gathered her uncle’s discarded clothing. “But you aren’t the only one with something at stake here.”

      “Or a score to settle,” Jonathan added.

      Finn accepted defeat. They were an army of three. And he had no real plan other than get there, survey the scene, figure out how to access the yacht, and sail away. The words reckless and idiotic bounced around in his head. The problem of protecting Chloe worried him. But they were going for it, and it was time to act.

      “This operation will have to move fast.” Finn began arming himself with the new weapons. “No second thoughts, no hesitation. It can get you killed. Stay alert and stay low. Bullets will be flying. Understand?” He shot an apprehensive look straight at Chloe when he said it, and she frowned.

      “You do your job and I’ll do mine,” she said matter-of-factly. “Keep your focus. I got this.”

      Her words did nothing to reassure him. This wasn’t a situation he could control. But then she stepped closer, reached up, and pressed her palm to his cheek.

      “Stay safe,” she whispered. “I want you to come out of this alive, too.”

      The possibility behind those words intrigued him, and the warmth in her eyes made his gut tighten. Why would she say that? Just when he thought he might have a part of her figured out, she throws him for a loop with words that smacked of care and concern. What was she doing?

      Not knowing what to say, he simply nodded at her, and she moved away to the picnic table to finish packing.

      Finn shifted focus to Jonathan. “When we get to the ship, head straight for the bridge. We have to get her moving ASAP. You’re sure you can navigate the maze of waterways?”

      “Absolutely,” Jonathan replied with conviction. “I paid attention on the way in. If we can get to my ship, I can steer her to freedom.”

      “The ammunitions locker is fully СКАЧАТЬ