Page 81 of Too Far

On the other end of the line, there’s a loud crash. The call remains connected, so he didn’t throw his phone.

Breathing heavily, he curses again. “You’re all together?” he grits out.

“Yes.” Before he can inquire, I elaborate. “Jo’s got a life jacket on. She’s sitting beside me. Locke is bracing her and keeping her steady.”

“Seat belt?”

“No.”

“Good. She can swim.”

My thoughts exactly.

“Put her on.” His voice is more hollow than I’ve ever heard it. Desperate.

I pause, considering.

We’re in the midst of a crisis. This could all end disastrously if the pursuer feels extra bold or Kendrick misses the soft, marshy target we’re aiming for.

Chatting on the phone helps no one.

In fact, it could make things worse.

There’s no comfort she can offer him or that he could lend to her. I don’t grasp why he thinks—

“Kylian.”

Right.

Sighing, I lean over and yell into her ear. “It’s Decker. He wants to talk to you.”

Chapter 33

Decker

“Cap?”

Thank fuck.

My heart is pounding so hard there’s a good chance it’ll beat right out of my chest, but I push the terror away and tamp it down. For her. I have to keep a level head for her.

“Siren. You’re okay. You’re okay.”

It’s a question and a statement and a mantra I’m determined to manifest into reality.

“I’m scared,” she whimpers.

I’m fucking scared, too.

“You’re safe,” I assure her.

It’s a hollow offering, but it’s all I have to give right now.

“Decker, if something happens, and—”

“Stop,” I snarl. “I can fucking see you, Josephine. I’m standing outside. I can see the boat. I can see you on the phone. You’re heading right to me. You’re coming home.” I swallow over the lump in my throat, willing my voice not to waver. “You’ll be in my arms in a few minutes. Don’t you dare think a single thought to the contrary.”

I take the stairs from the upper deck two at a time and pause halfway down so I can survey the status of the speedboat carrying my family and the motherfucker on the modified WaveRunner chasing after them.