Her movements are shaky as she nods. “I got it.”
I get the rope off her feet and nudge her up. “Let me cut your dress. You can’t swim with it dragging you down. Swim north. Use backstreets only.”
She doesn’t hesitate and stands as I work quickly, sawing through the beloved dress. “You have to go. Now.”
“Liam, just hurry. Come with me,” she pleads.
“Don’t worry about me, love. I’ve got a plan.”
She heads to the stairs but turns to look at me over her shoulder. “I’ll come back for you.”
I give her a soft smile. “Don’t.”
And then she’s gone.
Hmm. I expected her to argue a bit more.
Chapter 23
Serena
My legs tremble asI creep up the stairs to the main deck following Liam’s directions. I tiptoe around the cabin with my back pressed against the wall keeping to the shadows.
Voices.
Fear creeps up my limbs, threatening to paralyze me. But Liam’s offered me the only chance I’m going to get, and I won’t waste the opportunity. Even if it means leaving him in Sebastian’s hands.
I’ll be back, with reinforcements.
There’s only one guy on this side of the boat, but he’s on his phone, looking in the opposite direction. I take my chances. I silently climb over the railing and lower my body. I study the sky until I’m sure I know which direction west is.
I wait a beat, dragging in rapid breaths, preparing myself, and then drop into the sea.
Ice-cold water shatters my skin, and I hold my breath, trying not to scream. Instead of resurfacing, I dive as far as I can. I swim to the west, holding my breath, forcing my body to relax into the numbing pain and praying I don’t swim in a circle.
Under normal conditions, I can hold my breath for almost five minutes. But under pressure, it’s closer to three. I count every painful second of those three minutes, praying the boat has passed as I move slowly toward shore, at least where I remember the shore being, but it’s so dark down here, and I’m so tired.
I should go up, get some air. But what if they find me again?
I’ll stay here for another minute. I keep counting, but my lungs burn, and my body decides oxygen is worth revolting against my command to stay underwater.
My head breaks through the surface, and I suck in air. I glance around looking for the boat, but it’s nearing the dock now.
I don’t think; I just swim. As far to the west as I can handle. My chest aches, and my body threatens to drop like a lead ball into the dark abyss, but I don’t stop. I’m close to the shore when I hear the distant shouts. Then the gunshot.
No! Liam.
A bomb seems to go off in my chest. Tears flood my vision as I pull myself onto the rocky shore. I fall, slicing my legs on the jagged rocks, but I keep going. When I hit the solid ground, I run.
Sebastian’s men will be all over this place in minutes. I have to get as far away as possible.
I don’t look back, and I don’t think. I run.
And run.
And run.
Hours later, I’m exhausted. Only because of my rigorous training do I remain upright despite the pain consuming my body and soul. I don’t know where I am, and I fear I’ve been running in circles for miles. I’m hungry and thirsty and freezing. My limbs are dead weight, my head throbbing. My leg is bleeding where I fell, and my feet are completely numb. It takes all my effort to keep my body upright and continue to put one foot in front of the other. Each step hurts more than the last.
