Without my firefighting gear, the acrid scent of burning wood stung my eyes and burned my throat, but that didn’t stop me from screaming her name or running toward where the house once stood.
“He’s taking her to the lake,” Boden shouted through the coms.
I changed course and took off, grateful I hadn’t lost the headlamp in the explosion since it provided some visibility over the terrain behind the property that was shrouded in darkness. It wasn’t until I emerged from the trees into the clearing by the lake that I finally spotted her, along with the rest of the team. The maddening part was none of us were in a position to rescue her without jeopardizing her safety since her body was draped over Dixon’s shoulder, and he was using her body for cover as he took off on a jet ski.
“Roll the marine unit and the chopper,” Leif instructed.
Jaxon pulled me back and stopped me from running off the dock. “Get off me.” I tugged my arm free from his hold.
“What are you going to do? Fucking swim after a jet ski? You’ll never?—”
His words were cut off when a thunderous thud had us look out over the water to see the jet ski suddenly airborne and one body soaring through the air.
“Arizona,” I screamed in horror, barely recognizing the sound of my voice as I stood frozen, helplessly watching from a distance as she plunged beneath the water’s surface, taking my heart along with her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jameson
The army of men at my side couldn’t stop me from my next steps when I jumped off the dock and nose-dived into the frigid water. The temperature added another tier of fear to my already increased panic levels. Arizona’s conscious state was already in question after he’d attacked her, and her hands were still tied behind her back, which meant there wasn’t much time left on her clock.
I swam like a bat out of hell, slicing through the water and quickly replenishing my lungs with air. Each second was precious, and every stroke was crucial in the urgent race to save her life. The thumping sounds of a chopper’s wings and a boat approaching from the east side gained momentum as the water currents changed. A beacon of light from above lit up the crash site ahead, where the jet ski sat broken in a mangled mess of fiberglass and twisted metal on a raised portion of rock bed.
My brain clung to hope, even as my muscles threatened to cramp. With every stroke, the struggle between endurance and discomfort became increasingly more difficult while my body fought against the inherent numbness creeping into my bones. I navigated the rough waters and began approaching the crash site, where I spotted three people in full dive gear who eachtook a giant stride off the side of the marine rescue boat. I was thankful as fuck for the assist in the search and rescue operation.
In comparison, I was severely disadvantaged since all I had was a measly headlamp, but that didn’t matter. I dove repeatedly beneath the water’s surface and did my best to look through the darkened abyss. On my fourth attempt, I caught sight of her in the arms of one of the divers and was immediately by her side, helping them load her limp body up onto the stern.
The rope binding that tied her hands together was quickly sliced before she was placed flat on her back. I sank to my knees, desperately willing her back to life as another first responder started administering chest compressions. With each breath I pulled into my lungs, it became increasingly difficult to remain calm. Time seemed to warp, extending into an infinite loop as panic and urgency seeped into every fiber of my being and unraveled my world before my eyes.
I breathed a grief-stricken sigh of relief when she coughed up water. However, that feeling was short-lived because Arizona didn’t regain consciousness when they turned her on her side, and she started turning a frightening shade of blue.
“She’s in shock; we need to get her to the hospital.” I was beyond frantic. I had no clue how far away we were from getting her the urgent medical attention she so desperately needed.
“Chopper one, we’re ready for you; lower the basket,” one guy radioed.
I looked up and watched the rescue basket descend. I helped transfer her body onto the backboard and inside the basket before securing all the ropes.
“Chopper one, we’re clear to rise.”
Another medic clapped a hand over my shoulder. “There’s a ride waiting for you once we dock to take you straight to the hospital.”
I nodded, offering the guy a faint smile before the boat started to take off, and I collapsed into a boat seat. With my head hung in my hands, I prayed Arizona had the strength to fight on her own until I could reach her side and help shoulder the burden.
My girl was a fighter, and I had to believe she’d be okay; I wouldn’t accept an alternative.
“Shit.” I looked up when it hit me that I hadn’t asked if anyone found Dixon.
I’d been so hyper-focused on finding Arizona that I had complete tunnel vision. He had to face the consequences of his actions, and judging by the body lying under a blanket near the stern and the blood pooling out from underneath it, it was evident he had paid with his life.
“Is that him?” I asked, seeking confirmation.
“Yes, he took the brunt of the impact. There was no saving him; half his skull is missing.”
Maybe it made me a cruel person, yet no part of me felt remorse for the guy. Given his history, I was glad he could no longer hurt anyone else.
“Any chance I could borrow your phone?”
“Of course.” He unlocked the home screen and handed it to me.
