Page 104

CHAPTER 103

IT WAS PROBABLY the world’s shortest engagement. Twelve hours, to be exact. The ceremony itself was simple, but joyous.

I pried a diamond from the hilt of the cutlass and enclosed it in a circle of fishing wire to make a ring. Ayann found a simple white tunic in the hold for Kira’s wedding dress. Hani was our ring bearer, and Halima made a radiant flower girl.

Kira and I stood hand in hand at the prow of the small boat while Dahir blessed our vows in three different languages. It was the first wedding he’d ever performed as a captain, and he wanted to do it right.

His final pronouncement was in perfect English: “You may kiss your bride.”

So I did.

When I pulled away, tears were streaming down Kira’s cheeks. That was new.

“I’ve never seen you cry before,” I said.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Maybe you’re my only weakness.”

Dahir steered the boat toward a tiny peninsula jutting out from the mainland. I pulled out my cutlass and pressed the grip into his hand. He looked stunned.

“This is for you,” I said. “For marrying us—for saving us.” I ran my fingers over the gems on the hilt. “These will buy you a whole fleet of fishing boats, or a whole new life. Do what’s best for your family—and always keep your children safe.”

Dahir took the cutlass and held it tight against his chest. His mouth moved, but he couldn’t speak.

“It’s all right,” I said, patting his shoulder. “No words necessary.”

The keel scraped the sandy bottom as we glided toward the empty beach. We hugged Ayann and the kids goodbye, then hopped off and waded to shore. The peninsula was beautiful, dotted with banana trees. Fat, juicy crabs scurried across the rocks, and schools of fish wiggled through the shallows. It would do, for a while.

We waved as the boat pulled away. Then it was just the two of us. I pulled Kira close.

We had nothing.

And we had everything.