I climb into the back and gather Liv in my arms. “You’ve got to wake up, baby. Please wake up.”
“Logan—do you have her?” For the first time, I hear the fear in his voice.
“Yeah. I’ve got her.” The water is halfway up the cab of the truck now. Soaking us to our knees. I lift the tool. “You ready?”
I don’t take the time to check her injuries.
Not now.
Not yet.
Not when all I can focus on is getting her out before she drowns.
“Listen to me... You get her out of here and you don’t come back down. You hear me?” he yells over the sound of the rising water and the creak of the weight of the vehicle.
“You’re coming with us,” I tell him, confused, as I hold Liv tighter.
“My belt’s stuck,” he says without a note of fear as he stares at me. “Get her out.”
“Wait. You’ve got to have a knife in here somewhere.” I turn, but half the cab is submerged under the dark water, and I can barely see. “Jasper?—”
“Listen to me, little brother. I’ll be right behind you. Just get her out and promise me you won’t come back down.”
“Fuck no. I?—”
“Shut the hell up. You have to go.” The water is up to our chins, and Liv’s head is barely above it now. “You tell Rafe and Waves I love them. And make sure Maggie knows who bought her favorite fucking stuffed cows. And don’t let Pops work himself to death.”
My heart fucking cracks as the dark water passes my lips, and Jasper stops yelling.
“Get her out, Logan. Then never let her go. You’re never gonna find anyone else who gets you the way she does.” His words are quiet as he tilts his head up, water spilling from his lips. “Now break the fucking window.”
“Jasper . . .” I hold Olivia against my body and stare in disbelief at my brother. A million memories of growing up, getting in trouble, of him protecting the rest of us, taking the blame, and keeping us safe flash in the forethought of my mind.
“Do it now before you can’t,” he yells and sucks in a breath before the water goes above his mouth.
Liv’s face dips under the water, and I don’t hesitate.
I shatter the window, then kick it out with my feet and propel the two of us up with every ounce of strength in my veins.
Up through the blackness surrounding us.
Holding Liv’s limp body that grows heavier with every kick of my feet through the icy-cold water.
Until we finally break free and I’m dragging the two of us onto the stoney shore.
The cold rain pelts us as high-pitched screams pierce my brain.
“Olivia...” Serena screams, and she drops to her knees. “Oh my God, Logan.” She reaches for Liv’s throat, searching for her pulse as I gasp for breath.
“Breathe, baby,” I plead, holding her face in my hands. “You’ve got to breathe.”
“I’ve got a pulse,” Serena screams. “She’s breathing.”
“Fuck—thank you, Lord,” I whisper and look out at the rain beating down against the raging river. “Did you call 911?” I ask Serena as I stand.
“Where are you going?” she screams, her eyes wide and her face ashen. “Logan?—”
“Did you call 911?” I yell.
