Page 22 of Deception

The short distance seemed impossible, but giving up was never an option, so I swam in the direction of the pier, praying we’d make it.

I slipped under the water a few times, slowly losing the battle against the current. I’d be able to taste salt water for weeks if we made it out alive.

Something hit the water next to me, and I saw the bright colors of a life buoy. I hadn’t heard a boat approach, the rushing sound of the water and the ringing in my ears making hearing much of anything impossible. I grasped for the buoy, my muscles straining, my body yelling out in protest.

I made one last attempt to propel myself forward and got close enough to grab a hold of the buoy. But the urge to let go was strong. I’d pushed my body to its limits, my lungs wheezing my breath in and out, my arms going numb. The sight of a boat approaching gave me one last burst of strength.

A rope was thrown down, and I hooked it around both myself and Everleigh, tying us together. I wasn’t leaving the water without her.

We made it to the side of the boat, and arms pulled us both up. Everleigh lay next to me, her form still, her lips blue. But my body wouldn’t cooperate; it refused to get up and help her.

Santino crouched down next to her. “She’s breathing,” he yelled to be heard over the noise of the motor and surf breaking against the rocks.

Someone put blankets over us. I turned my head so I could watch Santino roll her to the side, facing away from me, then pat her back.

After a while, her shoulders heaved, and I watched Santino pound her back, forcing the water from her lungs. We made it to the dock in a few minutes, men already waiting for us. They had two stretchers laid out, but I’d be damned if I’d let them carry me.

Scraping up the last of my strength, I sat up. A wave of dizziness and nausea hit me, but I breathed through it, blinking the haze over my eyes away. Then Santino was there, knowing I’d never get on a stretcher unless I was unconscious.

He pulled me up, keeping his arm around me. I leaned on him heavily, swaying like I was drunk. I watched them load Everleigh on a stretcher and carry her off the boat. I followed slowly, coughing and struggling to put one foot in front of the other.

“You’re an idiot,” Santino chastised me while dragging me up the path. “Who in their right mind jumps off a cliff? You’re lucky you’re not fish food.”

I was too busy fighting against passing out to respond. When we made it inside, I sank into the closest chair with a groan. A doctor rushed up to us, ready to examine me. I waved him away. “Everleigh first.” My voice was raspy and barely above a whisper.

Santino pushed my hand down. “Dr. Martinez is with her. Dr. Clark will examine you, so be a good boy and sit still.”

Dr. Clark was a no-nonsense greedy motherfucker who’d do anything for the right price. He looked at Santino. “This would be easier if we could lay him down.”

Nodding, my friend pulled me up again and walked me to the closest bedroom. He dumped me on the bed, pushing me down when I didn’t want to lie back. “Stop being an asshole. The sooner you get better, the sooner you can go to Everleigh.”

I’d gotten too comfortable, not hiding my feelings as well as I thought. But jumping off a cliff after someone was probably a dead giveaway.

I wouldn’t have to find a way to leave the compound tonight after all. Because there was no way I’d be leaving Everleigh by herself.

13

EVERLEIGH

Voices drifted in and out. Someone called my name. I wanted ice cream. Did they have candy in heaven? My mouth felt funny, like I was sucking on a big ball of cotton. If only someone would turn off the loud beeping. I thought death was supposed to be peaceful. I didn’t feel peaceful.

The voices got louder. The beeping didn’t stop. My eyes were so heavy. I tried to open them, but they wouldn’t cooperate. I was thirsty. Scratch the ice cream, I wanted a milkshake. Chocolate.

I felt hot. I tried to move, but not even my fingers twitched.

So tired.

There was a prick in my arm, and then everything went blissfully silent again.

There was that beeping noise again. Why wouldn’t someone turn it off? Was I the only one hearing it?

I was warm. Comfortable. I was cocooned in a cloud. Something soft brushed across my hair. I wanted to lean into the gentle touch, but my body didn’t cooperate.

A hushed conversation near the bed. Then the mattress moved as if someone sat down.

I didn’t want to share my bed.

So warm.

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