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“Eh, just a graze, I think.” Another shiver swept over him. “At least there are no sharks to come investigate.” His little joke fell flat. “But you were right. It’s definitely cold. We have to get out of the water.”
“Thought we were swimming for the island.”
“We are. I just don’t want to get shot doing it.” He leaned back, keeping the pocket of his vest above the water, and dug his phone out. “F-figured it was better to take shelter under here where he c-can’t see us and take stock of the situation.” He tapped 911, then looked at her. “Can you make it if we have to swim for it?”
“Sure.” She raked a trembling hand over her hair, slicking it back. “Where is everyone? You think anyone called the cops? Or is this place deserted this time of year?”
“Definitely less traffic around here than in the summer, but there are a few year-round residents.” Very few. Vince couldkick himself. What had he been thinking bringing her out into this semi-isolated area?
“911. What’s the address of your emergency?”
“We’re out on Lake Giselle. Someone’s shooting at us. We’re hiding under a pontoon boat but may have to swim to the island.”
“I’m sorry, did you say you wereundera boat?”
“Exactly. It’s a pontoon.”
“Got it.” He could hear the keys clacking in the background. “All right, sir, could I get your name—”
A round of bullets pinged off the pontoon’s float, and Raina flinched, pulling him away from the area. He tucked the phone back in his pocket and sealed it.
“He knows we’re under here,” Raina said. “He’s trying to do enough damage to the floats to sink it? To force us out from under it?”
“That’s what it sounds like to me.” His brain raced, desperate for a plan. “How long can you hold your breath?”
“Probably not as long as I need to.”
“As soon as he stops shooting, we’re going to swim for it. Hopefully, he’ll be changing positions.” The bullets still thudded and thunked on the float and the boat listed.
“And if he’s not?”
“Let’s just pray real hard that he is.” His hand gripped hers. “You ready?”
“S-sure. How’s your arm? Can you swim?”
“It’s pretty numb at the moment. The absolutely only good thing about the temperature of this water.” As soon as he warmed up, it was going to be a different story. For the next fifteen seconds, they waited. Listening. “All right,” he said, “I think we’re up. Take a deep breath and swim under the sinking side. Hopefully, he’ll be so busy shooting out the other side that we’ll be out of his line of sight and halfway to the island.”
“Only halfway?”
He squeezed her cold hand. “At least the swimming will keep us warm.”
“Right. Okay. L-let’s go.”
Together, they inhaled, then ducked below the surface. Vince almost wondered if he was just getting used to the temperature because he didn’t feel quite as cold anymore. The fact that his movements were more sluggish than he’d like registered. But Raina needed him to get her out of this.
And he wasn’t failing her.
????
Raina seriously didn’t know how much longer she could swim. In spite of the medical knowledge that told her otherwise, she was quite sure her blood had frozen in her veins and the weight was going to drag her down to the bottom of the lake if she even thought about stopping.
But at least no more bullets were—
Thwack.
“Dive, Raina!”
The bullet had struck the water to her side. The next one followed her down. She kicked with leaden legs and spun to see Vince beside her, pointing. With an inward groan and dread pushing her to the edge of tears, she dragged her arms through the water and swam until she had to surface or pass out.
