Page 3 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)

Scott

I break the surface with a kick. Sunlight hits my face as I pull my dive mask down and spit out the regulator. Bracing, familiar air rushes into my lungs, and the taste of the ocean clings to my lips as I climb the ladder. Man, I love this shit. It never gets old.

“Welcome back,” Jamie calls from the boat, grinning as he reaches out a hand. “Find anything good down there today, boss?”

I grab his hand and haul myself onto the deck, my dry suit clinging to my shoulders. “No hidden treasure, if that’s what you’re asking. Just a whole lot of rocks and silt.”

He snorts. “So, we’re not rich yet?”

“Not unless you can cash in on dead ends and frustration.”

Margaret had dived with me today to collect the animal bones we’d spotted on our last dive. I’d started a recon on the first entry point and found it went nowhere.

“Damn.” He stomps a foot. “I guess I’ll have to cancel the check for the yacht I just bought.” He tosses the clipboard aside dramatically.

I pull off my fins and lean against the railing. The sun warms my face—a welcome relief from the cool, oppressive darkness below. Every descent into the Drop is a negotiation, a balance between curiosity and caution. One wrong move and the deep will swallow you whole. It has no mercy.

A bark interrupts my thoughts. I glance to the other side of the boat and spot Denver, my Belgian Malinois, his ears pricked and tail wagging furiously. Jamie follows my gaze.

“What’s up with him?”

“He’s got no patience for the sea life today.” He barks again, his tone more demanding this time. I give him a quick nod, reassuring him I’m okay, before turning back to Jamie. Liam joins us, stepping up to the helm to take the wheel.

The engine roars to life, drowning out the ocean waves as Liam steers Adeline from the Carter’s Drop descent point back toward Maverick Key.

Jamie settles down beside me, flipping through the day’s notes on his clipboard.

Margaret, my first mate, quietly catalogs her bone samples at the back of the boat.

“Think we can wrap this up early?” Jamie asks, rubbing his nose. “I wouldn’t mind getting a good night’s rest for once.”

I shake the drying salt from my hair. “You’re assuming Garrett Harlow gives a fuck about your sleep schedule.”

“Yeah, well, the man doesn’t care about much beyond slapping his name on a museum plaque and science journal.

” Jamie’s scribbling away on his clipboard, pretending like he’s working.

“He talks a good game about preserving history and advancing human knowledge. I’m just not buying it.

” Liam and Margaret both chime in with their agreement.

“Garrett’s never seen a blue hole up close or explored a cave in his life.

But he talks like he’s got an oxygen tank strapped to his back.

” Jamie’s never gotten over Garrett’s comment that I should fire him.

I’d never do that. He does a damn good job when he works and he’s family.

Once I take someone on as part of the crew, it’s ride or die.

“Welcome to academia.” I give him a pat on the shoulder.

The sharp ring of my satellite phone cuts through the air.

“Speak of the devil,” Jamie mutters.

I sigh, fishing the phone out of the dry box. Sure enough, Garrett Harlow’s name glares on the screen. I hesitate before answering. “Rickter.”

“Scott. How’s the progress out there?”

I move to the stern, away from the engine noise. “Still scoping the first tunnel entrances. We’ve found nothing worth going deeper yet, but we’re narrowing the options down.”

“That’s not good enough. I need some results,” he huffs, like a spoiled brat. “I’m trying hard to be patient here, but the funding isn’t endless. I have to give the university an update tomorrow. Give me something.”

I bite down a curse. If it weren’t for the money and the opportunities for more work like this down the line, I’d let Garrett know just how much I care about his problems. The guy’s a jerk, but the fact is we all need the money, and projects like this are rare.

The crew is counting on me for this job.

Garrett dumps his shit on everyone else.

He’s under pressure since the first investors pulled funding and it’s been a slow sell to get the university to approve more.

Now that he has it, he’s over-promising and under-delivering.

So daily, I’m dragged into his temper tantrums. I try to keep it from the crew.

“You hired me to do this right, not fast. I’ll get you the results, but we’re not—”

“Okay, fair enough.” He talks over me before pausing. “Oh, there’s one more thing. I almost forgot. Wes Harrington’s crew arrives tomorrow. He’ll also be diving in Carter’s Drop.”

“Harrington. Why?”

“He’s chasing down his own thing. Something about boosting views on his channel. It’s got nothing to do with our project, so let him do what he wants and stay out of his way.”

It’s convenient he has all the details of Wes’s plans. I doubt his interest is benign. Garrett doesn’t play that way. “Easier said than done.” I ball my fists. “We’ll be working in the same waters. It’s going to get crowded.”

“You can make it work.” He snickers and adds slowly. “You might even learn a thing or two from him. I understand he’s the best cave explorer in the business today.” I roll my eyes. Garrett’s weaselly voice really grates at me.

“You done?” I pause, letting the silence sink in. “Thought so.”

“Watch it. Anyway, there’s no room for any egos on this. It’s too important. Be the grown-up. I look forward to tomorrow’s update.”

The line goes dead.

I stare at the phone, resisting an urge to hurl it overboard. Losing a phone won’t hurt Garrett, so why bother? Jamie glances up from the clipboard, his good humor disappearing as he catches my expression. “Bad news?”

“Wes Harrington.” I shove the phone back into the dry box. “Garrett expects us to play nice.”

“That guy on that urban exploration channel? Wes UrbEx, I think it is. Why’s he coming here? Doesn’t he stick to old abandoned manmade structures?” His eyes widen. “Actually, his show is pretty wild. I once saw him—”

“All right. Enough.” I wave him off. “Yes. He’s the guy. He considers himself an explorer of all trades. I won’t deny he knows his stuff. But his showboating puts lives in jeopardy. In my book, that makes him an asshole. I don’t want him anywhere near our team.”

Wes and I were both tagged to a sea salvage rescue a few years back.

As experienced technical cave divers, we’re on a short list of people called for when rescues require those skills.

Fortunately, no one had died. He’d shown real courage and intelligence, but his antics and exploitation of the victims’ trauma for profit left a sour aftertaste.

Margaret doesn’t look up from her samples. “If Harrington or his followers get within five feet of our work, I’ll feed them to the sharks.”

“Hey, seriously, do you think he might let me in on one of his videos?” Jamie asks hopefully, combing his fingers through his curly blond hair. “Girls go nuts over those.”

“Sorry, J, there’s not enough room on his show for two pretty boys,” Liam says. We all burst out in laughter at Jamie’s expense. He shrugs and joins in.

The crew’s voices fade into the background as they work to anchor us back to the docks. As I look toward the sea, my thoughts drift. What a beautiful day. I close my eyes and say a prayer. It’s the same one I say every time my crew makes it home safely.

Then I see her face.

I still hold on to pieces of her—my partner, best friend, and beautiful wife. No matter how many dives I make or what I find out there, the truth follows me, haunting every descent.

Whatever circus Harrington brings with him, the ocean won’t care. But I do, and I need a plan to handle him before he wrecks everything in his path.

Sweat trickles down my temples as I walk up the sandy path to the Driftwood Inn & Cottages.

I don’t bother to wipe it away. My mind is too busy going through what has to be done this week.

Denver pads alongside me, his dark coat shimmering in the sun.

His pace is steady, head swiveling as he surveys our surroundings.

Jamie tosses a water bottle from one hand to the other.

“Think Garrett’s going to micromanage us even while he’s out of town?”

“Without a doubt.” I don’t break stride. “He’ll call two more times before the day is over.”

Margaret trails a few steps behind, her arms filled with maps, while Liam brings up the rear.

“Let’s hope breakfast makes up for it,” Liam says. “I’m starving.”

“Didn’t you just eat a donut a few minutes ago?” Jamie looks up at Liam, incredulous.

“I need at least five thousand calories a day to survive, J. One donut won’t cut it, man.” Liam’s six-foot-five muscular physique showcases his Samoan heritage, making him a towering figure among us.

Ms. Connor’s breakfasts are legendary—fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and whatever tropical fruit dish she’s concocted. They make up for the aggravation of working for Garrett. Almost.

A breeze drifts in, carrying the faint floral scent of the inn’s garden. Overhead, gulls squawk as they circle the sky. This is shaping up to be a good morning.

Denver’s ears perk up, his tail wagging as he spots a shaggy dog lounging under a tree. As we get closer, the other dog lifts his head, one floppy ear twitching in mild skepticism. Black and gray fur with white-tipped paws. We’re an inconvenience he’s debating whether or not to deal with.

“Looks like Ms. Connor’s got a new security system.” Jamie motions toward the dog.

“Denver’s going to size him up.” His tail wags faster as he trots forward, sniffing the air toward the lounging dog. The two stare at each other briefly before the other dog flops his head back down with a huff, deciding Denver isn’t worth getting up for.

“Lazy mutt,” Jamie says. Denver’s ears flick in agreement as he returns to my side.