Free Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts Page B

last—at
last
—they were all on board, and skinny Fabio released the ropes that held them to the dock.
    Riley tapped two fingers to the brim of her hat. “
Ciao,
Fabio. You fuckhead,” she added in a mutter.
    â€œA fuckhead is an asshole?”
    Riley tipped down her shady glasses so her tawny eyes laughed into Annika’s. “A fuckhead is a really big asshole. My friend Anna Maria, who is neither asshole nor fuckhead, says we can moor theRIB at the dive club while we’re here. It’ll make loading and unloading easier.”
    Riley walked forward to what they called a wheelhouse, where Doyle worked the controls. “I pilot today, remember?”
    â€œJust getting us away from the fuckhead.” But he stepped aside, gave her the wheel.
    Then they were skimming over the water, nearly as good as being in its heart. Doyle stepped out of the wheelhouse to go over the equipment.
    â€œI don’t need the tank,” Annika began.
    â€œBetter if you gear up, like the rest of us.”
    â€œWe could run into other divers,” Sawyer explained. “People would notice if you’re diving without equipment.”
    â€œSo I just pretend.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œI can do that.”
    â€œWe stick together,” Bran reminded them as Annika stripped down to her bathing suit. And as Sawyer tried not to watch her strip down. “However unlikely Nerezza’s found us this quickly, we can’t take chances. Everybody stays in sight.” He glanced toward Sasha.
    â€œI don’t feel anything. But I appreciate everyone keeping me in sight, in case I start any underwater dream-walking.”
    â€œI’ll look out for you,” Annika told her.
    â€œI know you will.”
    â€œWe’ll say, as it worked before, Sawyer and Annika at point, Sasha and I behind, and Doyle and Riley at flank. All right?”
    â€œWorks for me.” Sawyer zipped up his wet suit. “First time I’ve started a dive knowing I’m swimming with a mermaid.” He grinned at Annika. “Adds to it.”
    â€œBut keep the legs, Gorgeous,” Doyle warned as Riley turned inland toward high cliffs.
    â€œI promise. Unless there is an attack.”
    â€œSpeaking of, any luck on the bolts, bullets, and blades?” Doyle asked as he hefted a harpoon.
    â€œConsiderable, but it needs work yet. A few more days, then we’ll see. For now, should we say one harpoon to each set of buddies? With Sasha’s skills with a crossbow, I’d say she’s the one in ours.”
    â€œOh.”
    Doyle passed her the harpoon. “Can you handle it?”
    Sasha frowned at it, tested its weight. “Yes. I can do this.”
    â€œI don’t want one,” Annika said immediately.
    â€œIt’s okay, I’ve got it.”
    â€œSawyer, Sasha.” Doyle looked toward the wheelhouse and Riley. “You want to argue over who mans the harpoon?”
    â€œWe’ll switch off. I pilot, you take the harpoon. You pilot, I take it.”
    â€œFair enough.”
    Riley stopped the boat, pointed. “First cave on today’s list is at about two o’clock, and about twelve feet under to the entrance. A narrow channel opens up into a canyon after about forty feet. It’s a tricky dive for a novice.”
    â€œI’ll be fine,” Sasha stated, pulling on her wet suit.
    â€œYou passed novice stage in Corfu.” After stripping down, Riley reached for her own wet suit. “The mouth’s small, we have to go in single file—and it’s easy to miss.”
    â€œI can find it.” Geared up, Annika sat on the side of the boat. Then doing what she wanted most at that moment, she rolled backward into the sea.
    Though the pull was to go down and down, she surfaced immediately. It was enough, for now, just to feel the sea around her. She waved to the others.
    â€œYou’ve got to give us a minute here.” On