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Don’t even think about what Wentworth had planned with those other things.
It was hard not to, though, and nausea swept through her.
“Get out of those clothes, Eric. You’re literally about to freeze to death.”
She helped him strip, noting the small streak of blood on his side. Had he cut himself getting in the boat?
As she wrapped the tarp around him, the sound of sirens registered.
Hannah glanced up and spotted a speedboat with sirens and flashing lights on the front making its way toward them.
“It’s going to be okay. Oh, thank God.” Relief had her choking out the words. She knelt beside him and touched his icy cheek. His eyes closed.
“Eric, help is coming. Do you hear the sirens? Stay with me.”
His hand closed over hers—so cold it immediately made her stomach sink. He opened his eyes and met her gaze.
“Hannah,” he whispered, and turned to brush his lips against her palm.
Goose bumps rose on her flesh, but not from pleasure. He looked so close to passing out.
“If it’s the last damn thing I say, you need to know.” His lids lowered to half-mast. “I think I love you.”
Her heart cracked wide open, seeping with a mix of warmth and fear. Tears sprang to her eyes as the joy spreading through her mixed with terror.
“I think I love you, too, Eric. And it’s not going to be the last thing you’re going to say. You’re going to be okay, all right?”
She pressed her lips to his, hoping the move would breathe warmth into his chilled body. That and she just needed to touch him. Feel the life still in him.
But, oh God, he was so cold.
She lifted her head just as his eyes closed.
“Eric,” she choked out.
Hands gripped her shoulders, tugging her away from him.
“Let me go.” She struggled against the strong grip, panic seizing her.
“It’s all right, ma’am. We’ll take care of him.”
When she noted the police uniform and what must’ve been paramedics behind him, she went weak. Tears stung her eyes as she stepped aside.
“Are you Hannah Jeong?”
She gave a weak nod.
“You’re safe now.” The officer glanced past her to the water.
She followed his gaze and saw a crew recovering Stoddard Wentworth’s body.
Oh God! Was he really dead?
Shock and disbelief warred, but she couldn’t give either emotion too much weight, because fear for Eric still dominated.
“Let’s get you guys back to shore.”
“And Eric?” She glanced at him, her stomach twisting. He was too still beneath that tarp.
“We’ll do the best we can. We have an ambulance on shore.”
The officer left to go steer the boat back to shore, and she stared down at Eric.
Open your eyes, Eric. Look at me.
A heavy, cloying fear settled deep in her marrow.
The one question she didn’t want to think about.
What if their best wasn’t good enough?
