“We need to go now,” the girl wailed. “The surge . . . !”

“Yep,” Daniel said to me. “This one could wash over Madison Square like a tsunami.”

“Planned this one well, didya, William?” Doyle grinned, his dark coat wrapping him like beetle’s wings.

“Okay.” Empire Will, moon-pale in yellow and white, struggled to keep his temper. “You stay here with the Joes, Arla, and I’ll get to moving the rest over as soon as possible.”

“Once he knows what it’ll cost him.” Doyle loomed over the girl. “Do the math first!”

Now Will was up on his feet, one hand on his wheel for balance. “At least I’d know how!”

“If I were you, girl,” Doyle advised, “I’d watch they don’t try corporatizing your cow.”

“Please! Please!” Arla moaned. “Stop it, both of you! We don’t have time!”

Beside me, Daniel stirred restlessly. “Doyle’s itching for a fight. Must be the weather. Ah, good. Someone’s got some sense.”

Will had resettled in his seat with an air of purpose. He keyed his boat and, without further word, took off out of the Lagoon. Doyle stared after him, his jaw working in frustration. Then he sat and eased his boat forward to join the group in the entryway for a private conference.

I nudged Daniel. “I could take the kayak. Go listen in.”

“You’ll want to keep an eye on Jenn.”

“She’s crashed. Out like a light.”

“You’re staying put. If there’s news, we’ll hear about it.”

Getting bossy with me again. Surprising how quick my back got up. I felt my mouth thin to a line. Like, hadn’t I survived the streets every night, thank you very much?

He saw me tense up. “You think I’m bullying you.”

“You think I can’t take care of myself.”

“Not true. But I do know your gift for walking into trouble.” He jostled me gently. “Humor me. I won’t make a habit of it.”

Always listen to second thoughts, even if you don’t act on them. This had to be about losing Sara, then Hannah and Julian. He was going to be needy, this man, and who could blame him? He’d been patient with my rough edges. Time to give space to some of his. But I could see this two-ness was going to take some work.

I gave in and leaned into him. “Okay. I’m here. What’s left to do?”

He wrapped me tight, then eased away reluctantly. “Not much till the tide turns again.”

“You seem busy enough.”

“Just checking on things.”

“Huh.” I jerked a thumb up at Breakers, who’d slid back into her upright doze. “Maybe she’s got the right idea.”