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CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Tyson surfaced. Saw the man dive into the water after Olivia.

He had to move. Quickly.

The current pulled him away from the boat, making him work twice as hard.

Where was the Coast Guard? The marine police?

He took a breath and then dove again trying to avoid the worst of the waves.

He wished it wasn’t so dark. That he could see underwater.

But only blackness surrounded him.

A moment later, he surfaced again and treaded water.

Someone else surfaced also.

Was that . . . Olivia?

The woman gasped for air and glanced around in a panic.

Yes, it was her! Olivia!

He wanted to cry out to her, but he didn’t dare. If he did, Tyson would also draw attention from the man chasing her. He couldn’t let that happen.

But he did need to reach her.

He wasn’t sure how long she’d last out here in these elements.

She’d made some great strides on her fitness journey.

But these conditions would be tough for anyone.

The water was unforgiving.

Please, let backup get here. Quickly!

Then he dove back under the water, determined to reach her before he lost her forever.

* * *

Olivia didn’t know where Wes was. She didn’t see him behind her.

But he could be underwater.

Hiding out of sight.

Hunting her like a shark stalking dinner.

Fear raced through her.

Her legs burned from the exertion. Her arms felt heavy, tired.

Maybe she could circle back around to the cabin cruiser. Climb aboard. Take off without Wes.

She searched for the boat’s outline, but the current had taken it beyond reach, leaving her no choice but to keep moving.

Olivia squinted through the stinging spray of seawater. The harbor lights in the distance still looked so far away.

Could she really make it that far?

She had to. She refused to give up.

Wes, a certifiable madman, had already taken too much from her.

She lowered herself into the water again and swam as hard as she could.

Until someone grabbed her wrists.

More panic captured her.

She thrashed, determined to get away.

How had Wes gotten in front of her?

No, no, no!

He pulled her to the surface.

She sputtered, sucking in deep gulps of air as she tried to gain her strength.

Then she fought with everything she had left, knowing every second counted.

“Take it easy,” he said. “It’s just me.”

But . . . Wes’ voice sounded different.

Then the water cleared from her eyes, and she realized it was . . .

“Tyson?”

She blinked. Was she seeing things? Hallucinating?

How had he found her?

He put a finger over his lips, indicating she needed to be quiet.

Relief washed through her.

It was really him. He was really here.

But they weren’t out of trouble yet.

Wes was still out there somewhere.

And she had no idea where.