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Then suddenly, the creature plungedunderthe water.

Darkness closed around me. I struggled wildly. I couldn’t see Jameson. I couldn’t see anything.

Scratching at the tentacle, I tried to loosen its grip, but it was too tight. It was impossible to break free.

I was going to drown.

I held on as long as I could, until my lungs were burning. Bubbles escaped from my mouth.

Then the creature shot upward. My head broke the surface.

I greedily sucked in air.

“Greer! Greer, are you all right?”

I blinked, my vision blurry. He was just a dark outline. “I’m…okay.”

“The armor has a combat helmet built in. It has an oxygen supply. You need to activate it. There’s a button on?—”

The creature went under the water again.

No.

I pushed and shoved. The tentacle loosened its grip a little, then retightened. God, it hurt. What had Jameson been saying? A helmet?

Then the monster thrashed around, and water filled my mouth.

We broke the surface again and I coughed hard. “Jameson.”

“I’m here!”

“If I don’t make it… Tell Mom and Dad I love them.”

“You’re going to make it.” His tone was fierce, and I wished I could see him. “Activate your helmet, Greer. The button on the left side of your neck.”

Helmet?I reached around, trying to find the controls. Jameson’s hand appeared, as he tried to haul himself farther along the tentacle.

I touched a button, and the thin, thermoplastic helmet slid over my face. I heard a hiss of air.

He nodded, relief on his rugged face. “We’re going to get out of this.”

I wanted to believe him. That we were going to make it. I sucked in some deep breaths. “I want more time with you.”

“And you’ll get it. When this mission is over, we’re going to take a few days off.”

“We are? I seem to recall your mother complaining that you never take time off.”

“I have a good reason to now.” His voice was gruff. “We’re going to spend the entire time in my bed. I’ll fuck you every way I’ve ever dreamed of.”

My heart stuttered. “You’ve had lots of dreams?”

“Of you? Yes.”

I saw him climbing along the tentacle. He had his arms and legs clamped onto it. His helmet was in place.

My breathing hitched. I was terrified he’d fall off. “Don’t leave me.”

“Never.” His gaze stayed on mine. “Whatever happens, I’m getting you out of here.”