Page 82 of The Final Storm
“Everything’s gonna be all right,” Lewis says.
“I love you kids more than anything in the whole world. I’m sorry for all the bad words and scary things. I’ll get better at this.”
“You’re doing good. But don’t be mad at us,” Beau says.
Another gunshot fires close to the house. I want to ask BeLew what they mean, but there isn’t time. It’s likely all the cursing they insist on repeating. Luke and Lori take the kids and creep out a side door with Milo.
I take Sam’s face in my hands and kiss him, hard and fast. It’s lips and teeth, and I almost break down in tears. I pull away and say, “I love you. Don’t die.” Before he can say a word, I turn and sprint out the door into the tree line. His hand catches the fabric of my shirt, trying to pull me back, but I’m too fast. He doesn’t follow, and I know he won’t. It’s the kids first, always. He’ll stay with them and protect our family.
I’m running for minutes with only the sound of my heavy breaths, hoping Lindell is none the wiser about my departure. When one foot hits the hot sand, I hear more gunfire.
I don’t let it stop me.
I can’t.
My legs speed up, pushing me through the loose sand, faster than I’ve ever run before. The storm looks darker, closer. I take myself as far as I can into the shoreline before I suck in a deep breath and dive, my body piercing the water, slicing through the currents.
The rush of the ocean against my ears drowns out the other sounds. I wave my body through the water until my chest aches, desperate for air.
Gunfire continues when I surface, finding my bearings. Bobbing in the water, I find the boat chugging along close to me, but I have to get moving.
I’m past the break in the waves, and my arms move on their own, pushing and pulling my body forward. The saltwater burns my eyes and the wound on the back of my head. I ignore it all and keep going, swimming faster than I ever thought possible. Every time I lift my head for breath, I see the white of the hull draw closer.
It’s not propelling forward anymore. I’m grateful to catch the break when I reach the side ladder, gasping for air.
My first step out of the water drains all the energy from me. I grunt to pull myself higher, my feet feeling like lead with every rung I climb.
When I reach the side, I climb over the ledge and hit my knees, sending wet slaps on the ground. I get to my feet, my limbs shaking from the adrenaline and exhaustion.
“Like fish in a barrel,” I hear a voice say.
I’m hit.
The blow strikes me from behind and knocks me to the ground.
Chapter 28
Traps
Thefloorrocksunderneathme, and I groan, trying to get up. I’m alert, painfully so. Someone kicked me in my back, sending me to the ground, and my spine seizes in pain.
I curse myself for being so stupid. This vessel wasn’t adrift. Why wouldn’t he set them both on fire unless someone was on board?
“You’re hot enough to fuck. I’ll give you that. But Riggs could dick anybody, so you must have a special pussy.”
I’m sure it’s Lindell’s voice. It echoes in my aching head. I feel the back of my skull to find my stitches are still in place, but I’m bleeding from the wound.
“You love to hit women from behind, you coward,” I spit out.
“Whatever gets the job done,” he seethes. “Do you know what pride gets you? What the grand prize is for being a hero or even a gentleman?”
I roll to my back, stabs of pain take my breath, and look up at him.
“Dead,” he hisses.
The flash comes again, clearer this time. I seehim, sprawled out on the floor, blood pouring out at my feet. It’s a brief vision, but it’s there and makes me smile.
“Don’t know what you’re smiling at, darling. Things aren’t looking too good for you.” He circles me and clucks his tongue.
