Page 83 of Claimed By the Enemy

“Mr. Moretti?” Captain Rodriguez appears at my elbow. “We’re ready to depart whenever you give the word.”

“Perfect. And the message was delivered to my wife?”

“Yes, sir. Your assistant confirmed that Mrs. Moretti received the invitation and will be here at seven.”

I check my watch. Six-thirty. Sophie should arrive soon, probably wondering what I’m up to.

I hope she likes surprises.

My phone buzzes with a text from Sophie:On my way. What are you planning?

You’ll see. Dock 47.

Dom…

Trust me.

I do.

Those two words hit me harder than they should. After everything that’s happened, after all the lies and secrets and betrayals, Sophie still trusts me.

Now I just have to make sure I’m worthy of it.

“Mr. Moretti?” Rodriguez calls from the bridge. “We have a situation.”

I look up to see three men walking down the dock toward us. They’re dressed casually, but there’s something about the way they move that sets off every alarm bell in my head.

Professional. Coordinated. Dangerous.

“Cast off,” I tell Rodriguez. “Now.”

“Sir, we’re still waiting for your wife-”

“Cast off now.”

But it’s too late. The men are already on the dock beside the yacht, and one of them is pulling out what looks like a badge.

“Harbor patrol,” he calls out. “We need to inspect your vessel.”

“For what?”

“Routine safety check. Won’t take but a few minutes.”

Everything about this feels wrong. The timing, the casual way they’re standing, the fact that they don’t look like any harbor patrol officers I’ve ever seen.

“I’m going to need to see some identification,” I say.

“Of course.”

The man reaches into his jacket, but instead of a badge, he pulls out a gun.

“Actually, Mr. Moretti, we’re going to need you to come with us.”

“Like hell.”

I’m already moving, diving behind the yacht’s central console as the first shot rings out. Glass explodes around me, and I hear Rodriguez shouting orders to his crew.

“Nobody has to get hurt,” the gunman calls out. “We just want to talk to Mr. Moretti.”