Page 96 of The One Night Match

This is it.

This is how I die.

I just wish I had a chance to tell Cruz everything I was too scared to say before.

FIFTY-ONE

CRUZ

Every time I think I know what panic feels like, I seem to graduate to a whole new level.

Davis stays at the top of the hill with Monica while he radios to Colten to get an emergency crew down here. We have no idea what’s waiting for us at the bottom of the slope, and although Hugo and I are trying our hardest to control how we slide, we may very well be injured by the time we reach the bottom.

Mud covers most of my body, and I’m desperate for a hot shower. Maybe Riley’s hellfire water temperatures will finally be warranted when we make it back from this nightmare.

If we make it back.

It’s a thought I’ve tried to keep away, but the rational part of my brain is trying to prepare us for the potential that what we find may not be what we’re hoping for.

“Cruz!” Hugo shouts from a few yards away. We decided it was safer not to go down beside one another, just in case we accidentally hurt one another, but it also gives us vision of more of the hill considering how heavily the rain is coming down right now.

I squint to spot him through the heavy downpour, but when I do, I realize he has his arm wrapped around a tree that has a body caught on it.

Jeremy’s body.

Relief floods me when I see the bullet wound in the center of his forehead, but Riley is nowhere to be seen.

“Secure him to that tree and then meet me down by the ravine,” I shout over my shoulder, already sliding further down the hill.

The earpieces come alive, and Colten’s voice comes through. “You there, Cruz?”

“Yep.”

“We have an emergency crew on route, but they won’t be able to deploy until the current storm surge passes.”

“I don’t give a fuck about their protocols. Bribe them and get them down here right the fuck now.”

He’s silent for a second as I reach the ledge of the ravine and manage to stop myself from slipping into the icy water.

It should not be this goddamn cold in September, not even in the rainy city.

“They’re deploying now, but I had to promise them a shit ton of money.”

“I couldn’t give a shit what it costs, Colt. My wife is hurt, and the only thing that matters to me is getting her out of the rain and to a team of doctors.”

“I know, man.”

“I’m at the ravine now, no sign of her. I’m going to walk along the bank to see if I can spot her.”

“If she went into the water…”

“I know.” I press my eyes shut. “I know.”

“Keep me updated.”

I don’t bother replying to him, instead starting down alongside the rushing stream of water.

Between the rain and how fast the water is moving, I can’t see much, but I focus on putting one foot in front of the other, telling myself over and over again that Riley is going to be okay.