“I can’t.”
Range shifted in front of her. “We’ll drop in together.” Gently, he threaded her arms into the lifejacket and secured it. “Only thing I need you to do is cover your nose and keep your mouth sealed.” He showed her how to pinch her nose and clamp her mouth.
Her expression was one of stark terror. “I. Can’t. Swim.”
“I’ll be the one swimming,” he said with a nod. “When we hit the water, don’t panic and don’t fight me. That’s a quick way to drown us both.”
“No.” She shook her head hard and backed up into a wall. “No, I’m not—can’t! I’ll drown. I don’t know how to swim. I can’t!”
Range cupped her face. “Kas …” He waited for her gaze to meet his, noticed her chin bouncing as she fought the tears and panic. “If they find us, we’re dead. It won’t end any other way. You can do this. You’re strong. I wouldn’t have married you otherwise.”
Anger flared through her eyes. “Not funny.”
He pursed his lips. “It kinda was.”
“What if you hit your head and are unconscious?”
“Then Renner will come in after us.”
Kasra glanced at the former SEAL who winked at her. “I … can’t.”
Inching closer, he lowered his mouth to her ear, so only she could hear. “Ten minutes ago, you wanted me to make love to you.”
“That’s different.”
“It involved trust, and that’s what we need here. To keep us alive.”
Her gaze trounced around the main deck of the tower. “Sex is one thing, butthis…” she hissed.
Range frowned. Felt like he’d been sucker punched. Had that been all it was to her? Maybe it was a good thing he hadn’t said he was falling in love with her.
Behind her, Renner cocked his head to the water, telling Range to just take her in.
Tempted to do that, he worried she’d panic and flail. “Hand near your face,” he said, guiding her to the edge. Used a carabiner to attach her vest to his belt, then inched them closer to the edge. Hooked his arms around her and gripped her vest. “Now.”
Though she tensed and whimpered, she complied and pinched her nose.
Holding her tight, her head to his chest, he shoved off the deck.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Pakistani Reefer, Persian Gulf
Icy water yankedher into its suffocating grasp. Hearing went garbled. Pressure smothered her. Kasra fought the instinct to panic, to gasp. Had to remind herself that Range was there. How he had maintained his hold on her, she could not fathom. Her mind was thrashing as she felt them sinking … sinking …
Why was he not kicking them upward?
He must have fallen unconscious or something.
No. Could not have—he was still holding her. But it had been so long. They were going to drown!
Her lungs pounded from the deprivation. Pulse throbbed at her temples.
Breathe.
No!
A sudden upward tug jerked her sideways. Her hand slipped from her nose. She gasped.
