Page 61 of Captive

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 aboutrecoil 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 could handle the methods used by the Petrovs. I knew that well enough. I’d suffered at their hands twice, both times leaving me bloody and near death.

But I’d survived.

And I would again.

If for no other reason than to make certain nothing happened to Chloe. The hard slap of water was jarring, but my reactions were instantaneous, able to catch my bearings and head for the surface. Gasping for air, I immediately searched the area, the slender light of morning at least allowing a variation in shadows.Somehow, I’d managed to hold onto the duffle bags. I stared at the waterfall, somewhat surprised I’d survived the fall.

But where the hell was Chloe?