Prologue

Antonio

As I race toward the boat, Rafael’s at the edge of the ramp, ahead, his tongue buried in a blonde’s mouth.

I run straight toward them, and yank him off the startled woman. “We have a problem. It might be a bomb. Get to the pier as fast as you can. Now!” I roar, as he gapes at me, wide-eyed.

I don’t wait to answer questions. I keep going, shouting for people to get off the ramp, even though I’m not absolutely certain where the danger lies. But it’s somewhere near the water. I’m sure of it.

So many innocent people milling around.The race is over and my crew has family and friends on the boat. Children. But Valentina is all I think about—and Daniela. If something happens to that girl, her mother won’t survive it. I have to get to her before it’s too late.

“Go to the pier. Now!” I bark, at everyone I pass.

This part of the river is shallow along the bank, but it gets deep quickly. Valentina’s not a strong swimmer. She’s only had a couple weeks of formal lessons. If she’s propelled any distance from the boat, even conscious, she’s likely to panic—and drown.

“Abandon ship,” I yell, before I even climb aboard. The boat’s not sinking—not yet—but it signals the crew to get off the boat immediately.

I don’t see Valentina—or Alexis. And where the hell are Santi and Mia? The blood pounds in my ears so hard, I can’t think. “Where’s Valentina?” I shout as people jump off the boat.

Lucas grabs me. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Danger from the water. We don’t have time. Valentina? Where’s Valentina?”

“Out there,” Rafael says, pointing toward the river.

Santi has her, and they’re swimming away from the boat. Mia’s with them. I also spot Alexis, who is a strong swimmer, surrounded by guards not far behind them.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I scream at Rafael, dragging him to the edge of the boat. “Swim as fast as you can toward Santi and Valentina. Stay with her.”

“Go,” Lucas shouts at me. “I’ll make sure everyone’s off.”

This is my boat, my crew, and my responsibility. “I’m not going fucking anywhere until I know everyone’s off this boat.”

Lucas doesn’t waste time or breath arguing. He scours one end of the boat for stragglers while I scour the other. When we’re satisfied everyone’s off, we dive into the river, away from the boat.

As we surface, we’re showered with debris.