Page 105 of Gilded Saint

She blinked, shocked and terror-stricken.

“Scuba?”

She unbuckled and glanced to the back where she wanted to exit. That level head of hers kept her calmer than I would have expected. A good thing. I needed her to stick with me.

“A few times,” she finally answered. Thank god. That made the plan easier. Of all the extraction plans, we had to fucking go with this one. And thanks to the bullets, we don’t have as much air as expected.

“Divers are going to approach us. I’ll tell you when to breathe deep. A diver will offer you a regulator. Put the mouthpiece in first. Understand? Just like the airplane flight attendant says. Get the oxygen first. Then put your mask on. Oxygen on, then we swim. I’ll be right at your side. You got me?”

“You won’t leave me?” Her lower lip trembled.

“I won’t leave this vehicle without you.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

I shoved the airbag out of the way for a better view through the glass. The frigid water was up to our chins.

“Leo?”

“Let’s get out of here alive. Then we’ll talk.”

I dipped below the water level, eyes open, scanning our surroundings.

A dark figure neared.

Details emerged on the diver wearing a full body wetsuit.

I pushed up until my nose was out of the water and my head hit the roof of the SUV.

“Leo?”

Fear rang in her voice. My fingers wrapped around her delicate wrist, and I squeezed.

“Willow.” I waited for those blue eyes to lock on mine. “You’re going to be okay.” She needed to calm down, so I did what I had to do. “I love you. I’ve got you. Trust me. Let’s suck in as much air as we can. When we’re completely submerged, we’ll hold our breath, then we’re swimming out. I won’t let go of you. Don’t let go of me.”

This plan could have backfired in so many ways. What a fucking shit show. If something had happened to Willow, I’d have a terminal list and wouldn’t rest until I crossed every name.

“Sam?”

His use of my Christian name clears the cobwebs. I need to focus.

“You hired Cohen?”

“You’re officially off this mission,” Jack says. “You want updates?”

Yes, I fucking want updates. What the fuck? I grind my teeth, breathe, and answer like an angry midshipman speaking to a superior without regard for rank. “I want answers.”

“The Lupi Grigi weren’t there for Willow. They were there for you, at least that we know of, and Nick Ivanov.”

“What?”

“We’re hearing they suspect the syndicate had a hand in Gagliano’s gray fleet being detained. The ships getting detained backs Leandro’s claim that the syndicate was behind last year’s heroin bust.”

“Are they after Nick?”

“Possibly. Nick’s aware.”

“What’s your source?”

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