“How sweet,” Earnest sneers.“Does he know he’s risking his life for a killer?Do any of these men know what you are, Katelyn?Or does your beauty blind them to the truth?”
“The only killers here are you and me,” I say.“You kill for sport and self-preservation, and I won’t hesitate to kill you if anything happens to her.So, think about that before you pull that trigger.”
“You’re a fool,” Earnest snaps.
“You’re delusional.Let her go.Now.”
“Let her go?”Earnest repeats, his tone giving away his next action even before I’ve had time to fully process the threat.
“Easy, Marks,” I warn.But it’s too late.My gaze travels around, looking for anything I can do to save us both.Unfortunately, there are no fast ropes in a personal helicopter.
Maybe—
“You did tell me to let her go.”He pushes her closer to the open door of the chopper, and she clings to his arm, her lips trembling.
“Garrison,” she cries.
“It’s going to be okay, Katelyn.We’re going to be on the ground soon, Marks.The FBI already has enough on you to lock you up; don’t add another murder to that list.”If I shoot him now, he’ll drop her.
If I make a move toward him, he’ll drop her.
My only hope is that I can stall long enough that backup will arrive.
“What’s one more, right?”He shoves her toward the door, and she screams as her eyes go wide and she falls backward—out of the helicopter.
I leap forward after her, abandoning any desire I have to see Marks in cuffs.She’s all that matters.
Katelyn’s mouth is open on a scream I can’t hear.But I can see her panic as she tumbles backward.
The only sounds in my ears are the hammering of my pulse and the wind rushing past me.I stiffen, keeping my arms at my side.Steady body position.Normally, in a descent like this, I’d have a parachute to save us; this time, I’ve only got me.
But if I can reach her, then I can absorb at least some of the impact.
My gaze locks on hers—wide and terrified as she free-falls.
God, please save us.Please.We can’t survive this without You.
I reach for her, pulling her against my chest and spinning us right before we slam into the icy depths of the Atlantic.