Prologue

PROLOGUE

M ax jumped out of the boat into the waist deep water, then, with Mateo's help, pulled it up onto the sandy beach. He looked around, his heart sinking when he realized they had a problem, "Just about anyone with a little bit of experience could land here and get access to the island," he said, looking over at the other man. "That can't happen again. The guests should feel safe when they come here."

"Maybe they just shouldn't come," Mateo said, echoing what he'd been telling Max since they started working together. "I told you that building a resort on Heart of the Ocean was a mistake, but you wouldn't listen, and look at what's happened already."

"I think you're giving the island too much credit. We don't know if what happened to Theo and Simon had anything to do with Heart of the Ocean," he said. "I know this place is special to the natives around here, that you all think it's magic or something, and I've done my best to respect those beliefs, but a couple of weird experiences aren't going to change my mind about running a resort here. "

Mateo stared at him with his mouth hanging open, then shook his head, "You are a master at denial, Max," he said, then let out a long sigh. "As long as you remain on the island, these things are going to continue happening, and one of these days it's going to be someone other than one of your friends. You've been lucky so far; no one has gotten hurt, but that might not last."

Trying to control his frustration, he took a deep breath, "I didn't bring you here to debate whether or not I should abandon what I've worked so hard to create. We need to figure out how to secure this side of the island," he said. "I can't have people coming onto the island unannounced, and this beach is our weakest point. I know how you feel about putting more people on the island, but I don't think we have any choice, unless you want me to install security cameras here."

"No cameras," Mateo said, shaking his head. "I won't give in on that point. The government put me here to protect the island, and I'm not letting you cover it with cables, cameras, or any kind of electronics."

"Then our only choice is expanding the security staff," he said. "It's an expense I was hoping to avoid, but I don't see what choice we have."

"You could leave," Mateo said. "That would solve all your problems."

"That's not happening, so could you just work with me on this?" he said, turning to the other man. "This resort is a good place, Mateo. It's helped a lot of people over the last few months. I don't know why you can't see that."

Mateo was silent for a second, "I can't deny that," he said with a sigh. "Put together a plan, and I'll look at it, but you know how I feel."

"You've made that clear from the very beginning, and I wish we could just move past it," he said. "Besides, I'm sure everything will be quiet from now on."

"You've got another friend arriving on the island today, don't you?" Mateo asked. "Archie, isn't it?"

"Yes, but nothing is going to happen to him," Max said. "He's not like Simon. He's a well-adjusted adult with a good job, he's a doctor, for heaven's sake. You're just trying to invent problems that aren't there."

"You can keep telling yourself that, but that doesn't make it true," Mateo said. "You are a very stubborn man, Max, and eventually, that's going to catch up with you. The island won't ignore that kind of arrogance for long, I hope you warned your friend about what he's walking into."

"Nothing is going to happen to Archie or any of my other guests," he said, walking back to the boat. "I have to get back to the village, I have a lot of work to do."