Page 17 of Burn for Me

You’re an idiot, Laura.

Probably a soon-to-be-dead idiot.

But that was better than nothing.

The deck of the boat was neat but worn, a far cry from the plush-looking interior. Rust clung to any metallic, dulling its shine. The rough flooring scratched at my bare feet when I inched quietly toward the silhouetted figure that stood at the bow, looking out over the sea.

The vast fucking sea.

If I couldn’t stab him, maybe I could just shunt him overboard.

Squeezing the blade of the kitchen knife, I tried to amp myself up for what I needed to do. The closer I crept, the more his massive stature sent concern through me. His back was packed with muscle beneath the thin t-shirt he wore, and his biceps were like fucking tree trunks.

My mouth dried out with every step toward the beast of a man. The silent creep.

My heart beat so fast I worried he’d be able to hear it. It would give me away before I could strike.

My palm slickened around the knife, making it moredifficult to grip. I desperately wanted to shift the blade to my other hand and wipe my sweaty palm on my clothing, but I didn't dare make any movement I didn’t need to.

So close.

Holding my breath, I lifted the blade and lunged forward, striking it down toward the left side of his upper back. He turned right as I made my move and caught the slash on his upper arm—more of a graze that drew a dark red line, really. His hand fit over my wrist, squeezing as I panted. Pain filled my arm, but I held onto the knife, determined not to let him win.

Amusement danced in his eyes, and I wanted nothing more than to see him dead.

Grabbing the blade with my other hand, I sliced wildly at him while kicking and pushing against himin an attempt to launch him over the railing.

He reacted like my attack was that of a child—like it was nothing.

I let out an angry scream and shoved hard. He let go of my wrist at the same time and slid out of my way.

My foot slipped, and I toppled toward the waist-high rail.

‘No,’ I gasped, dropping the knife and hearing it clatter on the deck. Time slowed. My balance tipped as I hit the rail, sending me right over the edge.

For a few long moments, only air wrapped itself around me.

Then, I hit the water in a wall of cold that stole my breath right from my chest.

Fighting the shock, I kicked my legs and fought to find the surface amid the panic rising inside me. Nothing but icy water around me, and nothing to hold on to either.

With a great heaving sob, I broke the surface, turning myself to look for the boat.

‘Help me,’ I panted to the lone figure leaning against the railing, watching me suffer.

Silence.

‘Please.’ Cold numbed my extremities, making treading the water all the more difficult. ‘I’m sorry.’

Nothing.

‘I’m scared. I’ve lost everyone, and I want to go home.’ Hot tears mingled with the frigid saltwater that streaked my face.

Beneath the surface, something nudged at my thigh. Fear enveloped me as I tried to look around me. Something rough grazed my calf, and I let out a scream.

I wasn’t as alone as I thought.

NINE

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