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Chapter One

Matthew Sinclair stood at the helm of the lead ship and watched the hip a froth on the ocean’s surface, the grey sky adding an o

He signaled the sailor up in the eagle’s nest “Raise the stor,” he yelled In this way the two ships behind hie in course They travelled these waters year round and they knew every safe haven on the route back to Scotland A late cargo delivery was better than no delivery at all so they’d seek shelter for the night and continue on when the rough weather had passed

Setting a course for Heron Island, Matt listened to the ropes crackle and creak as they changed thethe boom to the starboard side His brother Blair wouldn’t be happy with the delay in the schedule but he also trusted Matt to make the correct call in these situations Blair had started this company but he now ran the business side, while Matt was tasked with keeping the fleet running with the uth lately, he considered venturing out on his own

He had a nice sum of money set aside Each of his brothers had reat deal ofin their very large footsteps

Well, except for Reginald of course His twin brother was no longer in this world, having died while saving their little sister The inald had been the best part of this world and noas gone

They were identical twins, and their bond had been stronger than any of his other brothers Not that he didn’t love all of his siblings But Reginald had been the kindest,person in the entire family Without him…without him, there was a hole that Matt couldn’t seem to fill

His chest tightened He didn’t want to fill that void That was Reginald’s place and reminded Matt daily that his brother had been there That his life had mattered

Heron’s Cove came into view as the first drops of rain splattered on the deck He could smell the scent of the storm in the air This one would be fierce

Within two hours, he was proven correct The cove provided a good deal of shelter but even still, their anchored ships rocked violently on the waves

Matt watched the weather for a bit and then descended below deck to get a few hours’ sleep They were safe enough and the rest would make him all the more prepared for the next day

But he’d no more collapsed in his hammock when he heard the calls of the sailors above “Ship in distress,” one bellowed

“They’ve hit the rocks,” another cried

Matt bolted up It couldn’t be one of his three ships They were safely harbored Was another boat atte to seek shelter?

He scaled the ladder up to the deck and i to one side His gut clenched The vessel ether Rowing out in the row boats was dangerous in these swells and he’d be putting his er but could he watch the people on that ship drown?

Damn his Sinclair need to save the world His brothers all had it Sticking their necks out when it was dangerous “I’ to row out to help the men on that ship,” he shouted into the wind “You are not required to go withlives”