The icy midnight wind howled across the open deck of the mega yacht, whipping Clara's dark hair wildly around her face. The bright overhead floodlights shone down with a harsh, blinding glare, making the wet wooden floorboards glisten like polished glass.

Clara stood behind Lucian's broad back, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. She could see young Lily shivering violently on the upper platform, tears streaming down her pale cheeks as the cold metal barrel of Marcus's heavy black gun pressed hard against her temple.

"Clara! Help me!" Lily cried out, her small voice shaking with absolute terror in the howling wind.

"Shut up!" Marcus roared,...