“Bloody asshole.” Andrew undid his belt and leaped into the water. Panic ceased my breathing.
Battling the current, Andrew dug his fingers into the wall, his knuckles white. He waded close to Richard and stretched his long arm. He couldn’t reach him.
I picked up the end of the belt cord and shoved it into Brandon’s hands. “Put it on.”
“Adriana, no,” William cried into my ear, grabbing my arm.
“I need to help.”
Brandon secured the other end of the belts around his waist. “I’m ready.”
“You’re crazy!” William let go of me.
I stepped into the water, the undercurrent rapidly pulling at my feet.
“Adriana, get back,” Andrew commanded.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
Digging my nails into the wall, I strained my leg muscles and edged towards Andrew.
“Grip the belt and reach for the dumbass,” I said, fighting not to lose my footing and slam into Andrew.
He shook his head. “Go. Back.”
“Not without you.” I braced my boot on a rock.
Andrew’s nostrils flared, and his jaw clenched. With another shake of his head, his fingers curled around the belt near my breastbone. He completely let go of the wall, yanking me slightly forward. His body slid closer to Richard. They grasped hands.
The pull on my back strained, and we moved slowly backward until we reached the corridor. Brandon and William helped us get back in. Five of us slumped against the wall and slid to the floor, our chests heaving. Brandon disconnected himself from me and passed the belt to Andrew.
Brie was missing. My stomach clutched at the thought she’d fallen into the swell, but then I saw her. Like a monkey, Brie had climbed up the vine, reached the top, and was slipping through the tree branches. The skinny jerk didn’t even try to rescue her husband.
Giving ourselves a moment to catch our breath, we crossed the water one by one and began ascending using different vines. Andrew climbed, tugging me with him. Each time I had to use my right arm to pull up, a hot pain sliced like a blade through my shoulder. I clenched my teeth and pushed down a scream.
William and Brandon reached the top first and helped Andrew and me to get out. Richard was the last one to climb out of the hellhole. Crawling several yards from the gaping hole, we crashed on the soft grassy ground.
I unbuckled the belt from around my chest and took a deep breath, letting my lungs expand, staring up at the glorious blue sky. It was beautiful. From now on it was my favorite hue.
Thank you, Lord. We were out. I would cry, but I was too tired.
Andrew’s hand found mine and tugged on it. I rolled on my left side and rested my head in the crook of his shoulder.
“We’re okay,” he breathed out. His arm circled my waist. “We’re okay now,” he repeated.
In the distance, the thrum of a helicopter thudded through the air. Andrew cursed under his breath. Even I knew that the only person involved in all of this with enough money to have a helicopter was Nicolai Kolesnikov. Of course, he would sweep in to claim his victory. My heart sank. All of our trouble had been for nothing.
Two large green helicopters flew over us. The treetops swayed from the gust the machines created. Brandon stood up and slogged to an open area, waving his hands.
The helicopters made another loop before settling down, flattening ferns and grass. The door opened in one of them, and a tall man, resembling a young Denzel Washington, dressed in a navy suit appeared. Ducking his head, the man jogged in our direction. He didn’t look like a Russian oligarch at all.
Andrew cursed again, but then the corners of his lips curled up. He loosened his grip on me and got to his feet.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Richard mumbled, dropping his head on the ground.
“Good to see you, Dr. Jones.” The handsome man grinned and took off his sunglasses. He looked to be in his mid-fifties.
“Dr. Evans, glad to see you again.” Andrew stretched out his arm to the man. Dr. Evans shook it, placing his hand on Andrew’s shoulder.
