“It’s the only idea we have. We can’t wait and hope reinforcements arrive on time.” Connor would keep saying it until they got the point. “And Evan isn’t the type to be inclined to wait around and give us the chance to come up with something better.”

Connor wrestled with the vest and got it on. Keeping low, they made their way back to the edge closest to Maddie’s position. Whatever conversation they were having ended. Evan took her by the arm and shoved her inside an open doorway and out of sight.

The adrenaline pumped faster. His sole focus was on getting her out of there.

He’d seen enough to get him moving. “He’s dragging her inside. You don’t have a shot now. Decoy is the only option.”

When he started for the stairs, Ben stopped him. “No games, Connor. Do not be a martyr. Maddie will fucking kill me if you get as much as a scratch on you.”

“I’m not looking to be a hero.” He was buying time. That’s all. “You move in and fire. I’ll grab her and duck.”

Jenna made a face. “That’s not a strategy.”

“It’s barely a plan,” Sylvia said right after.

They were both right. “For Maddie’s sake, let’s hope this works.”

Connor moved then. He jogged down the stairs, careful to dodge the crumbling parts and rusty screws sticking out at random places.

Ben caught up with him on the bottom level. “If there was another way or if I thought Evan had the sense to wait for the weather to clear we wouldn’t be doing this.”

“I know.” Connor checked to make sure Jenna and Sylvia weren’t standing right there. “Look, one thing we need to agree on.”

“I’m going to hate whatever you say next.”

Maybe, but it had to be said. Connor needed this to be clear. “If you can save one of us, you pick her.”

Ben shook his head. “We’re not having this conversation.”

“Promise me.”

“Connor.”

He stood there wasting precious seconds Maddie didn’t have. That’s how much this point mattered. “Do it, Ben.”

“Done.”

Chapter 33

The rough edge of the boat frame dug into Maddie’s palms. She struggled to drag the unwieldy mass out of its hiding place. It was awkward to carry. Her shoulders slumped under its weight.

The scrape of the metal against the rocky ground made for a bumpy ride and a loud one. She just needed this done, so she carried it the last few feet into the open air. Alone. Evan was smart enough to leave his gun hand free and make her do all the work.