Page 63 of Submit

Of course I would, but to say yes would be to show weakness. I’ve never been in this situation before but I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to let him sense my fear or see my weaknesses.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve moved on to better things.” My turn to rile him up. Make him irrational so that he makes a mistake. I’m trying to buy Dominic time but I don’t know how long he needs.

And then I hear it.

A heavy thud, a grunt, and a body hitting the dock.

Will hears it too because I see him through the dirty window as he turns around to face the sound, putting his back to me, a cold laugh spewing from his lips.

Dominic’s name tears from my throat before I can even process that maybe I should stay quiet.

I think our clock just ran out.

My last ounce of sanity hit the wood along with Dominic and I spring into action. Staying concealed behind the wall, I press the end of the speargun up to the glass where there’s a hole large enough for the tip to poke through. I remove my pistol from my pocket so that if my spear misses, I can pick the pistol up and empty the clip in Will’s direction. I don’t even pause to consider the fact that I’m about to take someone’s life. I want his blood on my hands.

I say a small prayer that Dominic is out of the way and I pull the trigger on the speargun.

I hear a gasp that quickly gets cut off and then Will’s startled voice. “What the hell?” he cries.

I drop the speargun, grab my pistol, and slouch down the wall, my vision closing in around me. I don’t even know if I hit him. I definitely don’t know if it was enough to kill him. He could be coming for me right this very moment but it’s a very different experience to actually physically harm someone versus imagining it. I don’t feel bad per se, but the act itself, so out of character for me, is short-circuiting my system, causing a visceral reaction.

I throw up violently. My last thought,Dominic, wherever you are, that’s where I want to end up too, before I pass out on the floor of the shed, weapon in hand.

Twenty-Three

THE SOUND OF A GUNSHOT brings me to consciousness and I realize I’m still in this hell. I quickly assess myself for any bullet holes and finding none, disappointment crashes into me unexpectedly. Until I remember that Dominic lies outside on the dock and I have no idea where Will is nor how much time has passed. I don’t want to be caught here, being taken hostage by either Will or Luis.

I sit up, hit with the stench of my own vomit as I do so, and try to listen for any signs of life around me. I don’t have to wait long before heavy boots are just outside the door that faces the governor’s house.

Pistol still in my grasp, I aim steady hands at the door. I feel stronger and my head feels more clear after my brain hit the involuntary reset button. I make sure the safety’s off and prepare to squeeze the trigger until Dominic busts through the door, boot first, his hands in the air.

“Libby. Oh God, Libby.” He drops to his knees next to me, his shoulder still bleeding, and checks for injuries.

“Casper?” I say in disbelief. My shocked system reverting to the first name I knew him by.

“Can you stand? Come on, baby, we’ve got to get out of here.” He’s urging me to stand with his good arm. His right arm is braced across his stomach.

“I thought you were…” I can’t even finish the sentence as I cling to him, touching him everywhere to make sure he’s real.

“I know what you thought. One of Will’s guys jumped me from behind while Will was talking to you. I put him down but not quickly enough to take Will out before he heard and turned his attention to me. The speargun was a nice touch.”

“Did I kill him?” My voice sounds childlike and far away. It’s an odd thing to hear those words come out of my own mouth.

“No, Lib. I did. You don’t need to live with that guilt. You saved my life.”

I guess that was the gunshot I woke up to which means I wasn’t out that long. Probably just a few seconds.

Outside on the dock, Luis and his men have already started gathering in the boats. One of them holds out a hand for me to climb in. I look back at Dominic for reassurance that this is our only option.

Understanding my silent question, he nods and then climbs in after me.

I sit in silence, tucked into Dominic’s side as someone tends to his shoulder wound. I wince every time he grunts as the boat bounces over a wave.

“What about Richard and Bea?” I ask, suddenly panicked over the fate of my friend.

“They’re fine. Shaken up, but okay. They’ve already placed the call to the authorities.”

I have no idea how he knows that but I don’t question him.

---