The first pull gave nothing but a dry cough. Ethan yanked again, harder. The engine sputtered, caught, then roared into a low, uneven growl. The vibration rippled through the boat. “We’re not staying put,” Ethan said firmly. “Not with them closing in.” Liam panicked, “But you said the Coast Guard’s coming—”
Ethan cut him off, spinning the throttle. “They won’t get here in time. We move now or we don’t move at all.” The boat shuddered forward under motor power, carving a slow path away from the island. The wind tugged uselessly at the torn sail above them, the canvas flapping like a flag of surrender. Liam gripped the rail, watching the dark shapes in the distance grow larger.