Saxon's Savior (Protect and Serve #3) - Pandora Pine Page 0,82

way she was going to be able to walk out of here. Judging by the way the table and curio cabinet had her pinned, there was every chance she could have internal bleeding as well. “I’m going to move the chest.”

“Be careful with my china, Saxon,” Gwen cautioned.

“I will.” I managed to smile brightly, knowing there was nothing left of her precious china. My heart felt like it was wrapped in ice. Nearly everything in this house was replaceable, Gwen was not. She was my first priority. As carefully as I could, I moved the curio back into the living room. The shattered pieces of ceramic clanged together. If I hadn’t been standing in the middle of a houseful of ruined memories, I would say the sound was almost lyrical. “Okay, all set. You ready to get out of here?”

Gwen nodded.

“Get on the other side of the table. She’s been pinned here for a while in the frigid water and I know her legs won’t hold her up. You move the table and I’ll scoop Gwen up.” Dallas turned back to Gwen. “Just like Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman.”

“Oh, he’s quite a dish. I’m nothing like his leading lady.”

“Bullshit, Gwen.” Dallas laughed. “Wrap your arm around me and let me do the rest, okay?”

She nodded weakly. We didn’t have a lot of time to get her out of there before hypothermia from the cold water set in, if it hadn’t already. I got in position and pulled the table back slowly.

Gwen let out a startled squeak before Dallas scooped her into his arms.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you. I won’t let go.” Dallas grinned like a movie hero.

“Just like Jack and Rose in Titanic.” Gwen managed a smile around her chattering teeth.

“Just like,” Dallas agreed. “Let’s make like a banana and split.”

“Wait!” Gwen shouted over Dallas’s shoulder. “Saxon, grab my wedding picture on top of the fridge. I put it there for safekeeping.”

Dallas winked at me before rushing out of the room with Gwen.

“You got it.” My heart warmed at the thought of being able to save one of Gwen’s memories. I reached up to grab the photo when something hit the house hard. My hand closed around the silver frame, but before I could get a firm grip on it, I was falling. The refrigerator was too. I landed with my upper back and shoulders against the leg of the kitchen table. I watched in horror as the fridge crashed down on top of me, knocking the wind out of me. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t pull in a breath.

Thankfully, my left arm wasn’t pinned under the fridge and I was able to key the mic.

“Christ, Saxon, are you trying to rescue the teacups too?” Dallas sounded amused.

“Trapped.” I couldn’t say much more. I needed my energy to try to free myself. My right arm was pinned against my chest. If I could free it, I might be able to wiggle my legs free and escape.

All I got for an answer was silence. I knew Dallas was trying to keep Gwen calm, but I didn’t have a lot of time. The water reached up to my chest and it wouldn’t be long before it swamped over my head. The other consideration was the temperature of the water. I knew it was only about fifty degrees this time of year in Massachusetts. I’d already been in the water for at least half an hour. It wasn’t going to be long before the cold overwhelmed me. If the rising water didn’t get me first.

“Saxon!” Dallas’s voice boomed through the house.

“Kitchen,” I managed, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Gwen had responded the same way only minutes ago. Was it only minutes?

“Jesus Christ.” Dallas’s eyes went as wide as dinner plates. “Ozzy, I need all of you in here. Now!” Dallas’s voice was panicked.

“Dallas, calm down. I’m okay. Don’t panic.” I took a ragged breath. It was getting harder and harder to breathe with the weight of the fridge against my chest.

He waded through the water with a look of grim determination on his face. “How are you pinned?”

“It’s lying fully on top of me. My legs are pinned. Hurry, I’m having a hard time breathing.”

Dallas didn’t need any prodding. He put all of his weight against the fridge and started to shove. I felt a hint of movement, but then Dallas slipped into the water beside me.

“Shit.” Dallas stayed on his knees. “I’m going to try to