Page 124 of Betrayed

Chapter Forty-Five

AJ kicked her legs in the water, trying to free them from the rope that bound her feet. She’d worked at trying to get the duct tape free from her wrists, but it had simply rolled up and become impossible to dislodge. Miles had used entirely too much tape for her to get it off.

The rope wouldn’t budge either. Part of her was grateful Miles could tie a good knot. At least she could trust the rope under her arms was tied well too.

The pulley continued to lower her into the water. It was about time for Miles to hit the button again.

She leaned her head back against the rope right behind her head as she had for what seemed like forever. She’d lost count of how many times she’d been raised from the water.

Not wanting to fall into the despair that lapped at her like the river’s current, she prayed. The words were the same. Pleas for rescue. Petitions for Logan’s safety. Cries for help.

The pulley lowered her farther into the water. Farther than she’d been yet. Why hadn’t Miles pushed the button?

“Come on, Miles. Hit the button already.”

Logan held Miles’s wrist tightly and thrust it upward, bringing Miles’s body closer to his. Break the knife free, and let it be a fair hand-to-hand fight. Logan needed to get him to the ground and restrain him.

But Miles countered and swung his leg behind Logan’s in an attempt to push him over.

Logan kept his footing and twisted Miles’s arm down and around, jerking it back and forth. Using his other hand, he pressed his thumb into Miles’s wrist until he dropped the knife.

It clattered on the stonework.

Miles other fist collided with Logan’s side. He let go of Miles’s wrist and shoved him. Logan kicked the knife farther away.

Miles charged at Logan. He waited for Miles to get closer, then swung up and punched him in the cheek.

Miles’s head flew to the side, but he rebounded quickly and seized Logan’s shirt. He fought to stay on his feet. Miles wanted to take this to the ground, but Logan would only go down on his own terms. He was a better boxer than wrestler.

He dodged a punch from Miles and sent one of his own into Miles’s other cheek.

He stumbled but sent an uppercut into Logan’s ribs, then grabbed him.

Logan repeatedly jabbed Miles in the back. They twisted and turned, trying to get the other one to lose control and footing. But it wasn’t accomplishing much.

They truly were equal in build and strength.

Miles pushed off of him and scurried backward toward the knife. He took his phone from his pocket and clutched the knife.

Logan drew the pistol from his ankle holster and aimed it at Miles. “Drop both the phone and knife.”

“No. You drop the gun. I told you I have AJ’s fate in my hands. The app on my phone controls if she goes under or not.” He walked toward Logan.

“Don’t push it.”

“I’ll do what I want.” He raised the knife toward Logan and swiped open his phone, then positioned his thumb over the red button on the screen.

“Drop them.”

Miles moved his thumb to the button.

Logan couldn’t let him push a button that would hurt AJ. Logan fired a shot. The bullet went through Miles’s hand. The phone flung to the ground.

Miles screamed in agony. “You fool. Are you trying to kill her?”

Logan didn’t understand, but he didn’t have time to consider.

Miles ran at him with the knife.