Ethan wrestled the throttle, trying to straighten out, but the motor lacked the strength to resist the shove. “They’re herding us,” Ethan muttered grimly. “Forcing us away from the coordinates we gave the Coast Guard.” Liam’s eyes went wide. “You mean—they’ll miss us?” “If we keep drifting this way, yes.” Ethan’s voice was sharp, controlled, but Liam saw the tension in his jaw.
The pirate boat roared past, circling around for another hit. The second vessel followed close behind, shadowing their movement like a predator waiting for the strike. Liam clung to the rail, heart hammering as he realized the truth: the ocean was too big, and the rescuers would be searching the wrong patch of it.