Page 112 of Viper

“Aye. But I want to watch.” Wraith crossed his arms over his chest, seemingly unbothered by the predator circling its prey.

“From a distance, bud.” Havoc and Troy began to paddle again, sending them slowly away from the scene.

The fin disappeared. Craig twisted and thrashed in the waves, searching for the predator. When nothing happened, Troy reached for his gun. Then a rush of movement and a giant ripple gleamed in the light of the fire.

The shark’s jaws latched on to Craig’s chest and he was dragged underwater. Paige grabbed Troy’s hand, her back straight, her eyes on the silent, choppy water. Her grip tightened. He watched her face in the hot glow of the blaze now a good fifty yards from them.

“He’s gone, baby.”

She nodded but didn’t peel her gaze from the waves.

Striker slid closer to her, taking her other hand in his. “It’s over, honey.”

They watched for a few more minutes. Sirens blared over the water—the Coast Guard. Striker pulled a flare from beneath the storage flap and sent it into the sky.

“He’s been underwater for a good four minutes, lass,” Wraith said. “He’s not coming back up.”

She let out a shaky gasp, then wiped the tears from her eyes. “Yeah. Okay.”

Troy pulled her against his chest, wishing like hell he could free her from whatever demons were attacking her psyche right now.

He lifted her to straddle him, then held her face in his hands. “You’re safe, Paige. I’m so damn sorry you went through even a minute of that fucking hell.”

Tears wet her eyelashes. She placed her palm on his cheek, rubbing his bristles. “I’m just grateful you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” He pressed his forehead to hers. Taking her hand from his cheek, he held it to his heart. “I hope you fucking feel that.”

She frowned. “What?”

“My heart, babe. It’s for you. I love you so damn much.”

Her bottom lip trembled, and he kissed her gently. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. The frigid temperature of her lips only increased his worry, but the response of her body and the strength returning to her hold told him she’d be okay.

She eased back, breathless. “I love you, too. I think I have for five years.”

He chuckled. “Oh yeah? I know I have.”

“Awe,” Wraith said, elbowing Troy.

He sent the fucker an annoyed glare. “Get the hell outta here.”

Reaper hooted. “When’s the wedding?”

Striker groaned. “Come on, dude. That’s my sister!”

Paige’s laugh restarted his heart. She grinned at the group around them and had never looked more beautiful.

Today might have been hell, but he’d make sure the rest of their days together were heaven.

Paige sat on the bed in Troy’s rental apartment, her legs crossed and fitted in Troy’s sweatpants. She also wore one of his hoodies with the right sleeve pulled up to her elbow so he could rebandage her hand.

They’d given their statements to the Coast Guard, then taken Striker’s friend’s boat back to shore. The cops had seemed suspicious when the guys said a fire broke out and they found Paige in the water on the raft.

But they didn’t ask any difficult questions.

She’d had a hot shower with Troy and gotten cleaned up, and now all she wanted to do was crawl in bed and not get out until they had a flight home.

Troy secured the gauze on her hand and lifted her palm to kiss it. “There.”