it,” Nikolai hissed then struggled to unfasten the oars.
The first gunshot rang out before he was finished.
The second just as he slapped them both in the water.
The third, fourth, and fifth popped into the water only inches from us.
I suddenly couldn’t breathe, my entire body shaking. He started rowing, using his powerful torso muscles to swiftly take us several yards away.
But the gunshots continued, several men yelling in Russian.
“Stay down,” Nikolai commanded, grunting as he picked up the pace in his actions.
The assholes refused to stop, the crackling sound of limbs indicating they were racing along the shoreline in an effort to get to us. I kept the light in both hands, the direction allowing me to see Nikolai’s pained face as he fought to get us out of harm’s way. I felt helpless.
“Take the gun, Chloe.”
“Why?”
“If they get too close, you’re going to need to fire the weapon. Can you do that?”
My body stiffening, I bit back a cry and crawled forward, reaching for the gun. My actions almost tipped the boat over.
“Slow and easy.”
Pop! Pop!
The whooshing sound from the two shots was followed by the realization that the bullets entered the water only inches from the boat. My determination on overdrive, I pushed forward, managing to grab the weapon with a single hand.
“Use both hands. You can do this.”
While his encouraging words would normally help, I was scared out of my mind, but I followed his orders, placing the flashlight down and with two hands, aiming the gun toward the trees.
“Listen for the crackle of trees before firing.”
His words echoed in my mind, but I managed to concentrate, shutting everything else down but the sounds of the forest. Within a few seconds, I took a deep breath and fired, not one shot but several, unaware of how I would react. I’d heard about recoil and my first reaction was jerking back. I regrouped and stiffened my hold.
“That’s it. Good girl.”
Within seconds, another popping sound went off and I fired, getting off at least three shots. I almost shouted in glee as I heard two distinct voices, both in pain.
The current seemed swifter, pulling the boat forward. I was in a vacuum, perspiration beading across my upper lip, my arms shaking to the point I was terrified I couldn’t take another shot. I had no idea how much time had passed, but I didn’t hear the sound of their voices any longer. Were we free? Did we manage to get away from them?
“You did good, baby. Now, you need to hold on. The water is getting a hell of a lot rougher.”
His words were solid, his voice holding no fear as he continued rowing.
I gripped one edge of the boat, saying a silent prayer that we’d get out of this. Sadly, I knew there would be another time.
And another.
Until they hunted us down.
There was no sound for several minutes with the exception of the rushing water. Then I heard something else. “What is that?” I grabbed the flashlight, no doubt pissing him off as I swung the beam in front of the boat. Although I was unable to see anything, I knew there was danger ahead. I could feel it in my bones.
“You’re going to need to listen to me carefully,” he stated in his authoritative voice.
I shifted the flashlight toward him, watching as he dragged the oars back into the boat, wrapping his arms around the bags. “What’s happening?”
“A waterfall. Hold on to both sides. Do as I say.”
“What about the flashlight and the gun?”
He chuckled. “I have more. Do as I say.”
The rushing sound was more intense. Shaking violently, I obeyed him, keeping the flashlight on and trying to stare into his eyes. Water. I heard it. I felt it spraying the back of me. Oh, my God. We weren’t going to make it.
The pull of the current increased, the world around us seeming to flash by.
“Get ready to hold your breath,” he instructed.
No. No. No!
Water lapped against the sides, spilling into the boat. Then there was an entirely different sensation that reminded me just before a rollercoaster made a hard drop.
As the boat tipped, all I could think about was Nikolai and the fact I was falling in love with him.
God help us both.
Chapter 12
Nikolai
Rage.
It remained at the surface long after the boat tumbled over the waterfall, pitching and twisting as it fell. The bastards had taken Travis. Whether or not my friend had been tortured into providing our location couldn’t matter at this point. Few