Page 105 of Viper

Craig’s arm clamped across Paige’s front, pinning her elbows down. His hot, damp hand held her mouth like a steel trap, crushing the back of her head against his chest.

They were crouched outside on the port side of the boat. After he’d dragged her through the slider, he’d pulled her through a side door off the kitchen.

While she couldn’t hear or see Troy and his team, the atmosphere crackled with their presence—that Craig felt too. She blinked in the darkness.

Her lungs tightened with the need for a breath. Craig’s fat, stupid thumb blocked her nostrils. She squirmed and mumbled beneath his hand.

“Shh,” he spat, but he moved his thumb, allowing her to inhale. “Or I’ll gut you right here.”

She had to do something. The guys wouldn’t give up—she was sure of that. But Craig would go to whatever lengths necessary to keep her to himself.

His threat rang in her head. She glanced down at the hand circling her bicep. He wasn’t holding the knife.

This was her only shot.

Summoning her courage, she opened her mouth and bit down on his palm. Hard. Her teeth broke through flesh, and the tinny taste of blood touched her lips.

He cursed and his grip loosened. She darted away from him, letting out an ear-piercing scream.

He bent low and rammed his shoulder against her back. Her stomach hit the railing and her feet lifted from the ground as he shoved her overboard.

“Troy!” she screamed, right as she landed in the water.

Freezing-cold waves pulled her under. Water rushed into her nose, burning her nasal passages, but she stayed beneath the surface as she kicked and swam away from the boat.

Spread out around her was a black underworld. She couldn’t see her hand in front of her face, but being off the boat gave her a rush of freedom.

He’d shoot her if she surfaced.

She swam deeper, but her lungs stretched and contracted, needing air. She hadn’t taken a deep breath before going under.

The water got colder and colder, turning her joints stiff and her muscles achy. Her throat spasmed from lack of oxygen. If she didn’t surface soon, she’d pass out.

Crack, crack!

Gunshots.

Terror raced up and down her spine.

She swam upward, praying she’d made it a good distance from the yacht. Her legs kicked and burned. Her face broke the surface first and she sucked in a ragged breath. Salty water rushed into her mouth, making her choke and gag.

She swiped her hair from her face, quickly taking in her surroundings.

Everything was dark. Warning bells rang in her head. She spun around—and there was the boat. Threatening simply because it existed.

Another explosion of gunfire. She stared through the night, trying to make out what was happening on board. The guys would be panicked looking for her. She had to get someone’s attention. Her legs were already starting to freeze and jerk. She wouldn’t last long without something to hang on to.

She opened her mouth to call out. A wave crashed against her face. She coughed and sputtered. Another struck her.

After sucking in a short breath, she dove beneath the churning surface.

Kicking her feet and gliding her arms in long, sweeping motions, she moved to get a better view of the boat. Popping up again, she spotted a flashlight skimming the black ripples. Hope surged through her. She swam toward the glow. Her arms seemed to weigh twenty pounds each. Every stroke brought more resistance. Saltwater burned her eyes, but she kept swimming, keeping her attention on the yellow orb.

Finally, she reached the light. The warm beam bathed her face. She treaded water and lifted her hand to shield her eyes. “Troy!” she called.

All she could see was a figure on board. An arm waved. The light disappeared. He’d seen her. He was going to throw her a life preserver. Thank god. Her legs were numb, and her teeth chattered.

She didn’t dare move from her spot. The boat wasn’t far. She just had to tread water a little longer and Troy would pull her in.