Taken With Trouble (CAUGHT IN CHAOS #2)

24. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Serena

My legs tremble as I creep up the stairs to the main deck following Liam’s directions. I tiptoe around the cabin with my back pressed against the wall keeping to the shadows.

Voices.

Fear creeps up my limbs, threatening to paralyze me. But Liam’s offered me the only chance I’m going to get, and I won’t waste the opportunity. Even if it means leaving him in Sebastian’s hands.

I’ll be back, with reinforcements.

There’s only one guy on this side of the boat, but he’s on his phone, looking in the opposite direction. I take my chances. I silently climb over the railing and lower my body. I study the sky until I’m sure I know which direction west is.

I wait a beat, dragging in rapid breaths, preparing myself, and then drop into the sea.

Ice-cold water shatters my skin, and I hold my breath, trying not to scream. Instead of resurfacing, I dive as far as I can. I swim to the west, holding my breath, forcing my body to relax into the numbing pain and praying I don’t swim in a circle .

Under normal conditions, I can hold my breath for almost five minutes. But under pressure, it’s closer to three. I count every painful second of those three minutes, praying the boat has passed as I move slowly toward shore, at least where I remember the shore being, but it’s so dark down here, and I’m so tired.

I should go up, get some air. But what if they find me again?

I’ll stay here for another minute. I keep counting, but my lungs burn, and my body decides oxygen is worth revolting against my command to stay underwater.

My head breaks through the surface, and I suck in air. I glance around looking for the boat, but it’s nearing the dock now.

I don’t think; I just swim. As far to the west as I can handle. My chest aches, and my body threatens to drop like a lead ball into the dark abyss, but I don’t stop. I’m close to the shore when I hear the distant shouts. Then the gunshot.

No! Liam.

A bomb seems to go off in my chest. Tears flood my vision as I pull myself onto the rocky shore. I fall, slicing my legs on the jagged rocks, but I keep going. When I hit the solid ground, I run.

Sebastian’s men will be all over this place in minutes. I have to get as far away as possible.

I don’t look back, and I don’t think. I run.

And run.

And run.

Hours later, I’m exhausted. Only because of my rigorous training do I remain upright despite the pain consuming my body and soul. I don’t know where I am, and I fear I’ve been running in circles for miles. I’m hungry and thirsty and freezing. My limbs are dead weight, my head throbbing. My leg is bleeding where I fell, and my feet are completely numb. It takes all my effort to keep my body upright and continue to put one foot in front of the other. Each step hurts more than the last.

I’m so fatigued my mind is playing tricks on me. Every shadow seems to jump out and capture me. It’s like I can feel Sebastian’s eyes on my back just waiting to strike when I’m at my weakest. I have no choice but to keep going .

I spy a street, and hope lights my chest, just like it has for every street sign for the past two hours. Green Street.

I stifle a sob and keep going.

Hunt Dr.

Snow Cottage Rd.

I have no idea where I am. Liam didn’t give me good enough directions, and I haven’t seen anyone all night. Everyone is in bed, and even if they weren’t, they wouldn’t want to help me. I look like a horror from the deep. I want to curse Liam, but he’s cursed enough as it is. Did he survive?

I need him to survive.

I’m about to give in to fatigue, hide myself under a weeping willow, and cry, when I see it. Lambeth.

My bloodied feet take on new life, and I race down the road to the corner house.

It’s got to be nearly three a.m. but I don’t care. I run up the rickety steps and pound on the door.

It immediately cracks open. “Yes?” asks a gruff voice from the darkness.

“I traveled through Vail with a bottle of Bordeaux.”

The door slams shut immediately.

Did I say it wrong? I can’t remember. I’m so tired and cold.

Then I hear the latch releasing, and I take my first full breath since jumping off the yacht.

The door opens, and the faceless person pulls me inside. A light flicks on, and I’m momentarily blinded. But when I can focus again, I scream.