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The open water comes into sight. For a split second, I hesitate, but continue pushing forward. We run along the edge of it and frantically search for a way out. Anything to give us reprieve from the men chasing us with guns.
A bullet darts by my head, and I move to position myself behind June to shield her from any attack. I don’t care if I die, as long as she gets away, that’s the only thing that matters.
We run closer to the edge of the water and use the few smaller storage containers lining the area to block us from any bullets that might come to us from the side. It isn’t much protection but it’s better than nothing.
Only, our rear and side aren’t all that are vulnerable.
And when a man shoots at us from up ahead, clipping June’s shoulder, spinning her around and toppling over the edge of the shipyard and into the water, I do the only thing I can think of—jump in after her.
23
JUNE
The last thing I see as my head is pulled under the water is Simon jumping in after me.
Simon—the man who is terrified of water and who cannot swim.
My shoulder screams from the bullet that grazed me, but it’s nothing compared to the panic coursing through me at knowing Simon is here, somewhere, fighting for his life.
I burst through the surface of the water and suck in a gasping breath of air, frantically searching the surface for any sign of him. I thank a god I don’t really believe in for sending us in near a loading area, giving us the docks as somewhat of a concealment from the men after us.
But none of that will matter if I cannot find him.
I dive under, my blood no doubt pooling around me, and crane my eyes through the darkness to spot him. I swim in circles and ignore the pain radiating in my body. I will cover every inch of this fucking bay to find him or I will die trying. Leaving him behind is not an option.
Erupting to the top again, I scan and scan. My heart picks up its pace as the mens’ feet shuffle against the pavement near us.
That’s when I spot him, face down, his body floating along the water.
I gasp and swim faster than I ever have toward him, wrapping my arm around him and dragging him out of sight and under the pier. It’s everything I can do to move him, but with the adrenaline in my veins, I make it happen. “Simon,” I whisper, moving the hair from his lifeless face. “Stay with me, Simon.”
“I shot the bitch!” one of the guys calls out. “If she ain’t above the water yet, she’s fucking dead.”
“You don’t fucking know that, Harold.”
Harold. Another name to add to the list of men to kill.
I hug Simon tightly to my side and keep him afloat as I hold my breath and wait for them to leave. If I try to resuscitate Simon now, it will only bring attention to us and ensure that we both die.
“They’re both gone. Now let’s go clean up the fucking mess they made. We’ll send a team to recover their bodies so we can get paid.”
A lifetime passes, and finally, they decide to leave.
I don’t move for a full minute, and when I do, silent tears roll down my cheeks. I shake Simon’s limp body and move us out from under the pier. I try to lift him up, but it’s impossible from this angle. I’m not strong enough to get him out of the water without any assistance.
“Simon!” I pound on his chest and kick my feet to tread water. “Do not leave me, damn it.” I hit him harder, the full brunt of my weak fist clobbering him. I hold onto the edge of the pier with one hand, and with one arm under his to keep him up, I suck in a breath and press my lips to his, pushing air into his lungs.
My injured arm gives out and he slips from my grasp. I fight through the agony and latch onto him again. “Simon, please. Come back to me.” I sniffle through the sobs bubbling out of me. “I’ll do anything, just please don’t leave me.”
Simon flinches, his eyes flicking back and forth. He spits out water and coughs, his gaze frantic as life finally returns to him.
I burst into more tears and struggle to keep my hold on him. “Simon.”
“Love,” he mutters and reaches up to grab onto the pier to hold himself steady. “I thought I lost you.”
“I thought I lostyou!” I cry.
Water splashes up onto our faces.
