Page 126 of Our Little Secret

Too late!

He came up with the gun.

“You should know better than to play with firearms.”

He held the Beretta—Neal’sBeretta—to her chest. Would he really shoot her? Risk wounding himself? Dear Jesus, she had no idea.

“As long as there’s a breath of life in my body, I will never let you go,” he vowed.

“Please, Gideon, if you ever loved me, please, just let me and my family be.”

“Love?” he repeated and his eyes, dark with obsession, bored into hers. “Is that what you think this is?”

No, she knew better now! Thiswasobsession. Power. Love had nothing to do with it.

She had to get away.

Now!

She had to get off this boat and—

She threw herself backward, her feet slipping on the deck. Still he held on. They slammed against the wet rail, pain jarring through her body. “Help!” she yelled, no longer worried about the consequences as they banged into the rail again. He was crazy. Maybe willing to kill them both. “Help!”

“Shut up!” he yelled, his face twisted in rage. His visage demonic in the light from the security lamp. Still unsteady, he hauled back with the gun, intent on striking her. “Shut the fuck—”

She kicked. Hard. Connected with his shin. He yowled. Pain ricocheted up her leg. She tried again and he moved quickly, too quickly.

“If I can’t have you,” he growled, his face a mask of determination, “no one can!”

She didn’t think, just threw herself backward.

Over the rail.

He didn’t let go.

Struggling, they splashed into the frigid water of the bay.

As they hit the water, his grip loosened.

Desperately, she kicked. Away. Hard. Fast. Deeper into the cold, cold depths, twisting and flailing.

But he was right there. She saw his menacing form, silhouetted by the thin light of the security lamp. She started to swim away and then she caught a glimpse of it.

Falling between them.

The gun!

Sinking fast.

Bubbles swirled around them, but she saw the dark glint and swam for it. Closer to him. Deeper.

Where, where, where was it?

Still sinking.

Frantic, she propelled herself downward.

Touched the barrel as it sank.