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But I had to reach her. If I didn’t hurry, it would be too late.
We’d been here before. Only a different time and place.
Back then, we were younger. I wasn’t as strong now.
I couldn’t let anything deter me.
Hang on, Barn.
I’d promised to teach her to swim and hadn’t made good on it. If only I had, she wouldn’t be sinking.
With all my might, I kicked, inching closer to her. A few more feet. If she would just reach out her hand.
But her eyes were closed and her body limp.
No. No. No.
Stay with me. We didn’t come this far to lose it all.
Kick. Paddle. Kick. Paddle.
I hooked an arm under hers and reversed course. The surface looked to be a mile up.
My chest hurt.
I needed air.
JoJo needed air.
The light above us grew brighter.
Almost there. Don’t stop. Have to save her.
Light.
I moved toward the light.
Then my head broke free. I sucked in air as I held JoJo floating above the surface.
She was unmoving.
“Barn!”
What should I do?
Turn her over? Pat her back?
“Breathe, JoJo!”
“Zegas. Need a hand?” A man I didn’t recognize but was built like a fighting machine called to me.
He had to be one of Salvatore’s men. Alma’s tail.
I swam toward the wall where he waited. “She’s not breathing.” I lifted her into his arms.
He lay her on the concrete beside him, then pulled me out of the water.
“You’re hit.”
