Page 2 of Her Wild Warrior

Then he spotted Derek. He could see that he was dragging Ryker’s surfboard behind him with the leash around his ankle as he swam out to sea.

Ryker wasn’t sure, but it looked like only six or seven of the guys were still on their boards out there. Their empty boards were nowhere close to where Ryker had last seen Eddie’s surfboard, but Derek was swimming to the right spot.

Come on Derek, you can get him. Come on Derek.

“Oh shit.” Ryker looked around at the empty beach and realized he needed to pull his head out of his ass. Instead of standing around watching, Ryker tried to think of something useful to do. Nobody else was on the beach, but near the bathrooms was a telephone booth. He sprinted toward it. Even though he was a track star, it felt like he was running through molasses. Finally, he got to the booth and punched in 9-1-1.

“What’s your emergency?”

“I’m at Newport Beach, literally on the beach, at The Wedge. My brother’s gone in the water to rescue my friend.”

“Calm down. Can you see your friend?”

Ryker turned back to the ocean. Now there were fewer guys on their boards; they had to be searching for Eddie.

“No, he hasn’t surfaced.”

“I’ve sent Fire and Rescue and notified the local lifeguard.”

“He’s twelve, Lady, he’s been under at least two minutes.”

Is that my voice? It sounds squeaky.

“I need you to calm down and tell me what’s going on.”

“I need to get back—”

“You need to stay on the line and be ready to guide the EMTs when they arrive in the parking lot.” She sounded soothing, and Ryker was able to breathe again. “I have the address of the telephone booth you’re using. They’ll be there any minute. What’s your name?”

“I’ve gotta—”

“What’s your name?” She asked again, in that same friendly soothing voice.

“Ryker. Ryker McQueen.”

“You’re doing good, Ryker. Can you hear the sirens? I need you to listen for the sirens. That’s your job.”

Ryker was gripping the handset so hard he thought it might crack.

“I don’t hear them.”

“They’re almost there.”

Ryker stepped sideways on his toes, trying to get any kind of view of what was going on. He couldn’t see Derek or Larry. He did a headcount, there were only four guys on their boards.

Come on, Eddie. You know what to do, just float to the top. Don’t swim, just float.

That only worked if wave after wave wasn’t pounding on top of you, keeping you under. This time he did throw up a little in his mouth. He spit it out.

Then he thought he saw something. It was Derek’s white-blond head popping up, just for a second. It looked like he had another dark head beside him.

Please say he has Eddie. Please.

Ryker looked farther back behind them and saw it coming.

Another wave.

No, wait.