I dive in with long strokes, squinting my eyes to see. My mind goes back to when Piper told me she barely swims, and then my fear doubles.
Where the hell are you? Swim, Piper, swim!
I feel the movements of the waves as I try to push through them. She could be anywhere with the way they’re violently slamming. Needing to go under where the boat tipped, I force myself down, then finally see blond hair. I kick my legs as fast as I can until I reach her, and that’s when I realize her hands are cuffed behind her back.
Motherfucker.
I had no idea the asshole bounded her wrists since I could only see her upper half when I took the shot. Figuring he’d go down as soon as he got hit and that Piper could swim to me, I didn’t think twice about it.
Now I could be the reason she doesn’t survive.
Wrapping my arm around her wrist, I hold her and use all my arm strength to get us to the surface. I have special training in water and can hold my breath for a long time, but there’s no way Piper is capable. She’s been down here too long.
I swim faster than ever before, sucking in air as I drag her onto the beach. Piper’s unconscious, and the weight of my leg and soaked jeans cause me to trip and stumble on the sand. Pain shoots through my body, and I hold back a curse as I analyze Piper’s condition.
“Baby, I’m here,” I tell her though I doubt she can hear me. I quickly check her pulse and feel a weak beat.
I position her properly, tilting back her head, then perform mouth-to-mouth.
“Come on, Piper. Breathe.”
I repeat the process, then start chest compressions. Then I do it again.
“Please, sweetheart. Fight for me.”
After another minute of CPR, she finally coughs up water. I quickly roll her to her side so she gets everything out.
“Thank God.” I cup her face.
She blinks up at me, tears welling in her eyes, then I pull her into my chest. “You’re okay. You’re okay, baby.”
“Tristan? Oh my God, you’re alive! I thought he shot you, and I lost you forever.”
“He did, but I’m okay. I’ll be alright. We need to get you to the hospital.”
“I tried to stay above water, but I couldn’t. He cuffed me,” she explains.
“I didn’t know until I found you. I’m so sorry.”
“Wait, you went into the water? What about your prosthetic?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna need some new parts, but I’ll be okay.”
“Did you see Jack come out?” she asks.
“No. I didn’t see him in the water either, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“I saw the bullet hit his arm. Then he lost control of the boat, and it capsized against the waves. What if he was able to swim farther down and made it to another beach?” she asks with fear in her voice.
“Then we’ll find him, baby. Don’t worry. I’m not letting you out of my sight again.” I press my lips to hers. “I’m so sorry.”
“This isn’t your fault, Tristan. There’s no way you could’ve predicted this.”
“That’s not how everyone else will see it. You were taken on my watch.”
“My father’s private investigators should’ve done their job and tracked him here. It was a failure on their part,” she tries to reassure me, but the guilt of what happened is eating at me.
How the hell did he find her and get inside the house without me hearing it? The man is fucking Houdini.
Sirens blare in the distance and pull my attention away, and I thank God they arrived so fast.
Before I rushed out of the house, I dialed 911 and blurted out the address as soon as a dispatcher picked up. I explained I’d been shot and my girlfriend was kidnapped. They said they’d send assistance ASAP.
Chaotic commotion commences as EMTs find us on the beach.
“Examine her first,” I demand as they wrap a blanket over me, then one over her. “She nearly drowned.”
“Tristan, no. I’ll be okay. Let them take you.”
“Piper, it’s not up for debate. You’re my responsibility.” I move my gaze to the man in front of us. “Please, take her to the nearest hospital. I’ll follow in the car.”
Another EMT approaches with a steel cutting tool and frees Piper from the handcuffs. She throws her arms around me and cries.
“You saved my life. I don’t care what anyone else says. Got it?”
“You need to get checked out, baby. Please, go in the ambulance, and I’ll meet you there.” I press my lips to hers one more time.
People who nearly drown can suffer from many injuries, and though Piper is talking and looks fine at the moment, there could be something internally that’s been affected. I’m not taking any chances.
The EMTs transfer her onto a stretcher, and I watch as they put an oxygen mask over her face and a blood pressure cuff around her arm. Soon the doors close, and I carefully make my way to the house, wincing with each step.