“Pirates.” The word hung heavy in the air, more chilling than the gusts running across the deck. Liam blinked at him, as if waiting for a grin, some sign it was a joke. But Ethan’s expression was stone. “You’re serious,” Liam whispered. “As a heart attack,” Ethan said. “They’ll strip us clean and leave us drifting—if we’re lucky.”
Liam’s gaze darted to the waterproof cases stacked on deck. All that equipment, months of work, worth more than either of them carried in their wallets. A fresh panic struck him. “They’ll want the gear.” he said, staggering on the deck. “They’ll want everything,” Ethan snapped, crouching at the stern. His hands worked fast, tugging at the starter cord of the auxiliary motor.