Page 151 of My Sweetest Obsession

They were expressing the thoughts that were in my mind. If we were going to reach a decision, we had to act now.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Massimo interrupted. “I’ll save you the trouble. No matter what direction you choose, she will die.”

With a wicked grin pinned on me, he said, “Time to end the show.”

The man behind Gigi continued to pull the rope, her arms and legs flailing in the air. She sobbed silently, her eyes meeting mine.

“I’m going to take care of you, okay?” I vowed. “You trust me?”

She wasn’t dying today or any other day.

Gigi nodded, her lips trembling.

“Oh, fuck. We gotta move, Nico,” Matteo urged, gripping the gun in his hand.

I cast a quick glance at the men positioned on the far side of the bridge.

“Get ready to fire,” I whispered.

“What about Gigi?” Lo murmured.

“He’s going to toss her in the water.” I choked on my own words, swallowing the thick lump in my throat, “When he does, I’ll jump in, and you guys start shooting.” I paused, forcing myself to add, “Just don’t fucking die.”

Their heavy silence sealed the course of our fate.

The man stopped moving the rope, and in a flash, he let go completely. A scream tore out of Gigi as she went over the edge.

Time stood still as my angel disappeared into the water.

“No!” I lunged forward.

I dove into the cold river as distant shouts and gun shots echoed above, but my focus was on Gigi. I kicked and pushed my way through the water, reaching out for her, but she was sinking way too fucking fast.

I broke the surface to gasp for air. My lungs felt like they were on fire, but I had to keep going or I would lose her forever.

“Fuck!” I held my breath and submersed my body back into the water.

I continued to push my body to its limits until I caught sight of her. I swam faster and got hold of her shirt, struggling to pull her back up when she kept slipping.

I reached behind my pants, pulled out my switchblade, and started to cut the rope away from the block. With each stroke, my arms propelled me forward, my muscles protesting against the cold. Panic threatened to consume me, but nothing wouldstop me from getting my girl out. I cut through the rope until she was finally free.

I wrapped my arms around Gigi, but she appeared to be lifeless. With a final burst of energy, we broke the surface.

“Gigi! Wake up!” I held her close to my shaking body and swam.

“Baby, please,” I pleaded, battling the current.

Then I heard Lo shout, “Nico!”

I snapped my head up to see Lo diving into the water and swimming toward us. He helped me pull Gigi onto dry land, and I started CPR.

“Come on, baby,” I grunted, applying firm chest compressions and counting in my head.

Then, just when I thought hopelessness would take hold, Gigi’s body convulsed, water expelling from her lungs in a harsh cough. Her warm, amber eyes sprang open, locking onto mine.

“Lo, where is Matteo?” I asked.

He glanced back over his shoulder. That’s when I noticed Matteo sprawled on the ground, hidden behind a bush.