AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I'm fuelled with rage.
There's only one person I have to blame for all this.
My father.
He killed an innocent woman and child.
I can't even blame Damon for his desire for vengeance.
But, if he so much as hurts a hair on Diana's head ... there won't be a more dangerous enemy than me.
Chapter 23
Diana
Igaspforbreath,the icy water of the river threatening to swallow me whole.
My limbs flail, desperate to keep me afloat as the current pulls me along with a merciless force.
Every time my head bobs above the surface, I catch glimpses of the rocky shore, so close and yet agonizingly out of reach.
"Come on, Diana! You can do this!" I shout at myself, forcing my aching muscles to work harder.
The thought of that hitman estill lurking nearby sends a shiver down my spine, fueling my determination to survive.
Finally, I spot a stretch of shoreline without jagged rocks waiting to tear me apart.
Summoning the last of my strength, I fight against the current, inching closer and closer to safety.
With one final push, I reach the shore and drag myself out of the water, collapsing onto the muddy bank.
My entire body trembles from exhaustion, cold, and fear. Lying there, I take a moment to assess the damage: scratches cover my arms and legs, evidence of my desperate struggle through the rocks in the river.
They look worse than they feel, but I know I've been lucky to escape with only these superficial wounds.
"Damn it," I curse under my breath, the adrenaline starting to wear off.
"That was too close. Too damn close."
I lie down, and stare at the night sky, waiting to catch my breath.
Then, once I regain some energy, my thoughts become clearer.
There could be animals here.
My baby.
Suddenly, I hear footsteps and lights flickering nearby.
My heart pounding, I look around and notice a pair of park rangers hurriedly making their way toward me, flashlights in hand.
Their worn uniforms and sturdy boots tell me they're no strangers to the rugged terrain, and the concern etched on their faces as they approach makes me feel marginally safer.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" The taller one, a man with sandy hair and a thin beard, asks as they reach me.
"I... I need help," I stammer, my voice shaking from both cold and fear.
"Someone tried to kill me. He chased me through the woods, and I had to jump into the river to escape."
