August 20th
9:55 P.M.
Even with Mateo’s arms wrapped around her, it hurt as they fell off the motorcycle and hit the ground.
There was no time to think about it, though, because they were rolling and skidding across the rocks and compacted dirt. Ally knew that Mateo was doing his best to shield her as much as he could, but even with that protection, sticks and stones scraped across her exposed skin. Given that the dress she was wearing covered basically nothing, that was a whole lot of skin.
“Take a deep breath and hold it.”
Those words were the only warning she got before they plunged into water.
She tried to do as Mateo had instructed, but she got nothing more than a quick gasp of air into her lungs before they went under. The water was cold, but nowhere near freezing, and it actually felt nice against her skin.
Well, it would if they were in it for a different reason.
As it was, she could feel the panic already setting in. She hadn't been able to take a very big breath, and now they were under, Mateo didn't seem to have any plans to let her go back up for more oxygen. His arms were still wrapped around her, and he was holding her tight against his body.
Even if she fought, she wasn't getting away from him, and she wasn't fighting because she trusted him. It was obvious that he had some sort of plan, but she had no idea what it was.
Men had followed them from the house. She knew that. She had heard the vehicle driving along behind them, and someone in it had shot at them. She remembered hearing the crack of bullets right as Mateo tipped the bike. Had they been hit? She didn't feel any searing pain, so she assumed she hadn't. Mateo’s grip on her had been strong as they rolled across the jungle floor. Ally was sure he couldn’t have spun around and grabbed hold of her all before they hit the ground if he’d been shot.
Maybe the bike had been hit?
Lungs screaming for a breath, even though they couldn’t have been under for more than fifteen or so seconds, Ally opened her eyes and tilted her head back. The water was reasonably clear, and as she looked up, she could see Mateo looking down at her. His gaze was steady, strong, and comforting.
But it didn't provide oxygen for her to breathe, and she needed to breathe.
Panic grew inside her.
She had to breathe.
It was all she could think about.
They were moving, she hadn't realized that at first, but now that her eyes were open, she could see that they were drifting along with the current. Why weren't they swimming to the surface? Why was Mateo holding her down here?
Was he trying to drown her?
No. He wouldn't do that.
Why would he?
Coming all the way to the South Pacific to rescue her, getting her out of the house, and then drowning her in a river would be stupid.
Positive she was about to open her mouth and take in a mouthful of water, Ally struggled. To fight with all the remaining strength left in her body. Granted, it wasn't much, but she didn't want to die, and if she didn't get her head above the surface soon, that was exactly what was going to happen.
Fighting did no good.
Mateo was too strong.
Whatever the reason, he obviously wasn't letting her go. Fighting was too hard, she had nothing left to give. All she could do was grow limper and limper in Mateo’s hold and wait for the inevitable to happen.
Around her, things began to grow fuzzy.
Her eyes drifted closed.
Lips parted.
Water rushed in.