Page 159 of Risky Obsession

A face emerged through the murky water.

“Archer!” I released a muffled cry through my breather.

We wrapped our arms around each other, and relief turned my body to mush.

Using the light, he showed me a set of scuba diving gear he’d brought with him. As I pulled on the vest and tank, my fingers trembled so much I couldn’t connect the clips across my chest.

Archer helped me do up the gear and checked that I was receiving air. Finally, I was mobile, and although I was desperate to get out of that waterybunker, I had to show Archer why we were here in the first place. I gave him the okay signal and then indicated for him to follow me.

I led him to the gold and when he shone his light into the crate, the bars shimmered as if celebrating being discovered. Excitement glistened in Archer’s eyes.

He clapped me on the back. He knew just how long I’d been searching for this gold.

Ten long years I’d waited for this moment, and it was surreal that I’d shared it with my long-time mate,andLacey, a woman who I planned to share many more special moments with.

Archer and I left the cold darkness of the underground bunker and navigated the narrow tunnel. My waterlogged muscles were pathetic as I kicked my heavy boots, trying to keep up with Archer’s smooth pace with his fins. He waited for me at a jagged hole in the concrete wall, and I followed him through the breach in the tunnel.

My scuba tank scraped across the rocks as we squeezed into a passage that was all sharp edges and loose rubble. This must be the blast zone.

The wormhole became tighter, and one section was so narrow, we had to take off our tanks to get through.

Just as I thought I couldn’t continue any longer, a faint glimmer of light emerged ahead, growing brighter as we inched forward.

Finally, Archer indicated for us to surface and side by side, we swam upward.

We pushed through to fresh air, and I spat the breather from my mouth. I tore the scuba mask from my face, and as salt water stung my eyes, my vision blurred.

We were inside one of the middle submarine pens.

A squeal of joy echoed off the water.

Lacey!

“Kane!” Lacey rushed toward us from the concrete platform, and she lowered onto her hands and knees, reaching toward me with relief etched across her beautiful features. “Thank God you’re okay.”

She squeezed our palms together.

“Thanks to you,” I said.

Archer helped me remove the scuba tank and shove it onto the platform. I had to fight gravity to get my body up onto solid ground.

Lacey threw herself into my arms, and as I held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, I ran my hand over her wet hair.

“Good to see you again, Kane.” Rosalina rubbed her hand up my arm.

“You too, Rosalina.”

Lacey trembled in my arms.

“I can’t believe you found Archer and Rosalina so quickly,” I said against the top of her head.

“I got lucky. I’m so glad you’re okay,” she whispered. “I was so scared for you.”

“She didn’t just find us.” Archer clapped my shoulder. “She fought off the asshole who tried to kill you guys.”

He pointed toward the mechanics shed.

Lying on his side on the ground, was a man with his hands and feet behind his back, and blood stains over his puffer jacket.