He gives me a quick squeeze before letting me go and helping Roman up.
“Thanks to Syxx.”
Roman pats his back. “You scared me for a second there, Viper.”
Gunshots echo through the valley and snatch our attention back to the lake. The boat is getting closer, and on the road in the distance I see headlights flashing as they race through the trees. It must be Gale and Taylor.Please let them be okay.
“Still have that boat?” I throw the idea out there. Bensen and Roman share a look that makes me regret mentioning it.
Luckily Roman had the foresight to keep a few handguns stashed on their boat. I lost mine when we fell into the water, and Bensen dropped his when he leaped off his motorcycle.
We stay in the dark cover of bushes along the edge of the lake, waiting for Gale and Taylor. Bensen is the only one with a working helmet, and he’s already called out to them a few times now.
Bensen takes it off and shakes his head. “I don’t hear them. They aren’t responding.”
That doesn’t make me feel good.
Roman nods. “We can’t wait any longer, we need to get moving—” A bullet hits the side of Roman’s neck and knocks him clean off the boat.
“Roman!” I scream and dive in after him.
The moon peeks out from the fading snowstorm and lights the water just enough for me to realize how much of Roman’s blood I’m trying to see through to find him.
Where is he? Where…My heart drops when I spot him. His eyes are staring up at the moon, and bubbles escape his parted lips.
A rush of air bursts from my mouth as I swim toward him and quickly check his neck. It ricocheted off the bulletproof mesh.
Thank God.
I pull him to the surface where my relief is short-lived as we’re met with Callum’s crew on a large boat. Taylor, Bensen, and Gale are beaten and bloodied as they kneel at the edge of the boat, assault rifles aimed at the backs of their heads.
Horror hits me as I stare up and meet Callum’s eyes. He gives me a timid smile before extending his hand down.
I shake my head and hold on to Roman tighter. I’m fighting with all I have just to keep us afloat and his head above water, and I know Callum won’t show him mercy like he did last time.
“Let them think I’m out for the count,” Roman murmurs against my ear. It occurs to me that Sub-Rosa doesn’t know about Roman having an upper hand when it comes to bullets.
Thank God he’s okay.
“Briar, I won’t hurt him. Look, he’s already half dead. It will only happen faster if you stay in the water.” Callum squats at the edge, waiting for me to make a decision.
“Lift him first,” I mutter.
Callum smiles as he nods. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving the lieutenant out of the fate of his men.”
I swallow the dread as Callum lifts Roman up to the boat and then reaches for me. I allow him to help me out and quickly move to Roman’s side.
His eyes are shut, and he has the most peaceful expression even though I know he must be in so much pain right now. I want this to end already. Tears brim in my eyes.
I cover Roman’s neck to stop the bleeding, even though it didn’t hit an artery, and look up at Callum for help. If I can get him close enough, Roman can kill him.
It’s so quiet on the boat that I can hear my own heart racing.
“Help him,” I beg.
Callum flips his lighter and sparks his cigarette. “Why? So he can keep fucking up my life? Not a chance, babe.”
I let my eyes shift to a man I’ve never seen before. He’s dressed in an expensive suit and has a cane that looks like it’s from a different time period. An heirloom maybe. My eyes widen when I look up at his face. He’s handsome and has the coldest green eyes I’ve ever seen.
