We were too far down to hear gunshots, so I had no idea if the fight above continued. My current focus was getting her the hell out of the water.

Reaching the rock bed, I hauled her up and ripped the tape from her mouth. “You okay?”

She nodded frantically.

“Stay here,” I ordered, already scanning for Daniel again. He was gone.

The waters were a clear blue with the midday sun slicing through. Visibility was decent. Temperature in the low 60s. Cold but survivable.

If I find him in time. I inhaled deeply and dove. First pass—nothing. I surfaced, caught my breath, and went under again. This time, I spotted movement. Daniel’s leg was tangled in debris. He was still fighting but fading fast. Even if he was an asshole, I wasn’t about to let this kid drown on my watch.

I swam toward him and yanked the knife from my belt, slicing it through the fishing net wound in vines that held him down.

We broke the surface a second later.

My lungs burned. My limbs felt like lead. But I gritted my teeth and pulled him over to the rocks. Somehow, with my last ounce of strength, I got him up onto the ledge beside Lennon.

She was shaking—wet, cold, and in shock.

Daniel coughed, water spilling from his lips as I climbed up with them.

I used my knife to cut Lennon’s bindings. “Get under that ledge,” I directed, pointing to a cove in the rocks. “There might still be gunfire overhead.” I turned to check on Daniel just as⁠—

Crack. The force slammed into my back, the kinetic energy transferring through my vest like a hammer against my spine and ribs.

I lost my breath. My balance. Dropped to my knees.

Lennon’s face twisted in terror. She lunged for me. Slipped on the wet rock as my world tilted.

The last thing I saw was her hand reaching for mine as I slipped off the ledge.

54. Juliette

Chapter 54

Juliette

Five Minutes Before

Colin narrated everything like a podcaster calling a UFC fight. I was relieved he didn’t seem terrified, but it also terrified me that he wasn’t scared.

“Holy shit! Did you see that?” Colin was on his feet, standing behind Gwen and Izzy, gripping the backs of their chairs as he watched the different camera angles they had displayed. “Damnnnn.”

I didn’t even bother to correct his language. At this point, why?

I wasn’t watching along with him. The rocking of the yacht was already messing with my stomach, but add the anxiety of knowing my loved ones were out there risking their lives? Nope, I was good.

Honestly, I would’ve preferred even more of an ignorance is bliss situation, but my son’s play-by-play wouldn’t allow that.