Page 131 of Burning Skies
It takes me a second to understand what he means. “You want to wait until the truck lands in the river? Given the angle, it might be upside down.” Which will make extraction even harder.
Assuming they survive the impact.
His expression is grim. “There’s no way we can get it over the concrete barrier. I don’t think we have other options.”
Like hell we don’t. “Let me rappel down. I have experience.”
“Even if you manage to get one of them out, the shift in weight means the truck will likely get dislodged.”
“Let’s secure the hitch. Even if it gives way, that might buy us some time so I can grab Honey. She’s the innocent one in all of this. The team below can try to rescue Rogers.” I point to the truck. “The passenger side window is shattered. If the door doesn’t open, I can still get her.”
He shakes his head. “You’re too close to this, Beau. You’re dating Honey, right? Let me page the team out of Austin.”
“We don’t have time for that. I’ve rappeled before. Let me try.” Because I’ll never fucking forgive myself if anything happens to her. “Someone should call her family, her brothers at least.”
“They’re on their way.”
I don’t wait for him to give orders. I turn to my crew and bark out that we should secure the back hitch. “It might be rusted, but it’s better than nothing.” As Loving does that, I grab my gear, hook it up to the engine, and head for the ledge. Before I strap in to my harness, I yank off my turnout coat. Because if I have to jump in after her, I want to be as light as possible so we don’t both drown.
I’m hooking up my carabiner when Honey’s brothers arrive with that friend of hers, Cynthia. The cops hold them back, but I wave them off. “I’m gonna get her. Stay out of the way.”
Trig blanches when he sees what I’m dealing with. “What the fuck happened?”
“We think she’s with the guy who’s been setting off those fires at the high school.”
“I hope he makes it out of this alive so I can tear him a new asshole.”
“You and me both.”
Cash pats my shoulder. “If anyone can get her, it’s you.”
“Appreciate the vote of confidence.”
Cynthia is a sobbing mess, and Trig awkwardly hugs her.
Leaning over the edge, I call out to her. When she doesn’t respond, I try again. “Honey! Can you hear me?” I yell over the sound of rushing water. “I’m coming to get you!”
“Beau!” She waves her hand out of the window, and I nearly have a heart attack.
“Baby, don’t move! All I need you to do right now is take deep breaths and stay calm.”
I motion to Coop to lower me, and Loving takes point at the ledge. Before I head down, I grab Loving’s jacket. “You’re my eyes up here. I’m counting on you.” Because Coop can’t see what I’m doing once I go over.
Loving nods. “Let’s do this.”
I lean closer. “If I don’t make it back, tell my brothers I’m sorry.”
His face pales. “Don’t talk like that.”
I’m just being a realist. Because this truck could take me, Honey, and that asshole all at once.
I hop over the railing and rappel down the side of the bridge. The truck lets out a mangled groan, and I hold my breath, praying it doesn’t tumble into the rushing water below.
In my head, I scramble to form a contingency plan. And when it comes to me, a sense of calm washes over me.
If this car goes down before I can get her out, I’m gonna dive in after her. Because whatever happens next, I’ll be with Honey. I won’t let her go through this alone.
Decision made, I lock in to what I’m doing. I’m careful to move alongside the vehicle without touching it. When I reach the smashed window, I let out a relieved breath to find Honey in one piece, but blood drips down her forehead.
