Page 128 of Amnesia

“You came for me,” she said, her voice hoarse.

“Always,” I whispered.

“Cross your heart?”

“Hope to die,” I murmured, fighting the emotion trying to choke me up.

Her lips pulled into a smile. “You will be forever mine.”

“I love you.” I groaned, pulling her a little farther into my lap.

Her teeth began to chatter, and I remembered we were in the middle of the lake, it was cold as shit out here, and someone just tried to kill my girl.

“No time for romance now, baby. We gotta go.”

She laughed, but it turned into a wheeze. Concern darkened the relief I felt at finding her, and I flipped a cushion off one of the seats. Thankfully, there was a blanket, and I quickly wrapped it around her shoulders.

“The widow,” she murmured, teeth still chattering.

“I hope the bitch drowns,” I growled.

Am snatched my arm as I pulled away. “Wait,” she implored. “She knows who I am.”

“Fuck!” I spat. Truth was I didn’t care anymore. Sadie or not, I loved her. But I knew that answer might not be good enough for her. Especially not after tonight. She needed answers. We wouldn’t be able to move on until we had them.

If the widow of Rumor Island had them, then I couldn’t let her drown.

“I’ll find her.” I promised, briskly rubbing my palms up and down Am’s arms. “You sit right there. Don’t move.”

She nodded, and I spun around, scanning the darkness for the woman. The sound of splashing drew my attention, and I moved to the end of the boat, closer to the sound. Squinting into the dark and wind, I thought I could make out a shape moving away from the boat, not too far away.

With a curse, I picked up the flashlight I had onboard and shone it in her direction. Sure enough, it was her trying to get away.

I fired up the engine (saying a little prayer of thanks it actually started, because wouldn’t that be some shit if it didn’t) and made a U-turn, pointing it directly toward her. She saw me, attempting to swim faster, but she was no match for the boat.

I drove up right alongside her, not worried in the least I might hit her. If I did, we’d get our answers some other way. Fortunately for her, I didn’t run her down. She was sputtering and coughing when I reached over the side and grabbed a handful of her hair.

“Let’s go, psycho,” I ground out and yanked her aboard.

I’d been ready for a fight, hell, even primed for one. But she collapsed against the floor almost instantly. Exhaustion clung to her like a newborn kitten to its mother. I grabbed some five-fifty cord out of the same cubby I’d gotten the blanket and quickly tied her hands and ankles together.

She didn’t say anything at all. It was almost as if she’d gone catatonic. It was creepy as hell. When she was tied up, I snapped my fingers in front of her face, but she didn’t even react. Thinking she could be faking, I stood over her and watched her chest, finally seeing it rise and fall with her breathing.

“Don’t move,” I growled, but again, she gave no reaction.

Keeping myself on high alert, I picked up Amnesia and brought her to the wheel. Keeping my body anchored around hers, myself positioned between her and Mrs. West the entire time, we flew over the water back to shore.

Glowing blue and red lights served as a guide as I barreled toward shore. Hopefully, Tom wouldn’t be too pissed I hijacked his boat without asking.

Not that it mattered. He could be pissed all he wanted. I didn’t care. All that mattered was Amnesia was here and she was safe. Although, I did make a mental note that maybe it was time for me to get a boat of my own.

When I drifted to the dock, the police were already there waiting.

“I tied her up,” I said, motioning toward the widow. She had yet to move. I was beginning to think she wasn’t even blinking.

Everyone was shocked silent, strange for the people in this town, but this was something no one expected.

“What the hell happened?” one of the officers asked as I practically lifted Amnesia off the boat and onto the dock.

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