Kennedy’s breath backed up into her lungs. After over one hundred and fifty years beneath the water, the thing was delicate, hinges rusted and wood rotten. The smallest impact could make it collapse. As it was, they were going to need to get it into a chemical and water solution pronto to prevent as much erosion as possible from sudden exposure to the air.
But they’d all agreed to open the chest together.
Jackson hauled himself onto the deck, shedding equipment and pushing his wet suit down around his hips as he went. He snagged Loralei’s hand, and they joined Kennedy, Asher, Knox and Avery, crowding around the chest.
The wood was dark, having soaked up water and salt. Metal curved along all of the edges, and a large lock held the lid closed.
They’d called in an expert on Civil War era locks. Crouched on the deck, the locksmith made quick work of opening the corroded metal and then stepped back.
Kennedy watched as her brother’s gaze traveled from Knox to Asher and finally landed on his new wife.
Leaning down, he pressed his lips to Loralei’s. “No matter what’s inside, I want you to know you’re the treasure I found when we discovered the Chimera.”
Her sister-in-law sighed, a sweet, soft sound that made Kennedy smile.
Asher’s arm wrapped around her, and his lips found the warm curve of her neck.
Across from them, Knox bounced on the balls of his feet. “Let’s get this over with. The anticipation is killing me.”
“Patience, frogman,” Avery said, running her hand down his arm and laughing at him.
Together, all three men stepped forward and grasped an edge of the lid.
The hinges groaned, refusing to budge for several seconds before finally letting go. The lid swung back, and everyone gathered around gasped.
Bright Caribbean sunlight glinted off a small stack of gold bars. Kennedy pressed closer, trying to get a better view.
“Holy shit,” she breathed, bracing her hand on Asher’s back. She could feel the barely suppressed tremor running just beneath his skin.
“How many bars are there?”
“Twenty or so.”
“Anyone know how much money that is?”
Jackson looked up at her, shock widening his gaze as he breathed, “Around ten million dollars.”
Nearby, the entire crew began whooping and hollering.
Asher grabbed her by the waist and swung her around. He buried his face in her hair and whispered, “We’re set, baby.”
Kennedy grinned, pushing away from him so she could look up into his face. “Just remember, cupcake, I loved you long before you were rich. I don’t give a damn about the money.”
He tangled his fingers in her hair, his expression serious. “I love you more than you’ll probably ever know, Kennedy Duchane.”
He kissed her, the familiar heat and awareness rolling through her. She’d never get enough of this man. He completed her in every way possible.
Kennedy gripped his wrists, holding on to him. Her heart felt as if it was ready to burst.
The Chimera might be the site of tragedy, but over the past two years she’d brought them all together. And that was better than a chest full of gold, better than any treasure Kennedy could imagine.