Page 36 of Dangerous Lies

“Someone going to save us?”

Relief washed over him as the seat belt broke apart. He pulled Tyler into his arms and hugged him.

The SUV had hit the bottom of the river. The current was strong asitcaused the vehicle to rock a bit.

“Okay, can you swim?”

Tyler’s eyes filled with tears, as he shook his head. Fuck. Ginger would make sure to put Tyler in swimming class as soon as they got out of this mess.

“Mom doesn't like the water.”

Itseemed she would need swimming class as well.

“I need you to listen really close to me. When I tell you to take a big gulp of air, you do and holditas long as possible. On our way up, slowly let the bubbles out. Don't let them all out at once okay?.”

Tyler started to cry harder. The water in the car was up to his waist. They had no time.

“You need to be a big boy.”

Tyler nodded.

“I'm going to break the window, climb out, and then reach in for you. The water's cold but remember to keep your eyes and mouth closed. I won't let anything to happen to you.”

“Because you're my real dad.”

Ginger took a deep breath. He would let Rose yell at him later for this. “Yes, but your mom wanted to wait to tell you. We need togetyou out of here because she will be mad at me if I let anything happen to you.”

“Okay.”

He had no time to go over the plan a second time. The water rushed in quicker. Ginger pulled off the bracelet one of the SEAL wives had given him. He’d slippediton his wrist the day she had givenitto him but never thought he would needit. The bracelet had a single bead in the center. With a flick of the band, the window shattered. Water rushed through the hole.

“Breathe in.”

Ginger took a deep breath and swam out of the window. He reached back through, but Tyler had moved further away. The glass shards scraped Ginger’s stomach as he reached for his son and grabbed him around the wrist.

He tugged him out and kicked his legs. Tyler's arms gripped around his neck.

They were a hell of a lot deeper in the river than he initially thought. The sun peeked through the water as he kicked harder. Tyler slowly exhaled bubbles as he’d been told, his eyes squeezed shut. As they broke through the surface, Ginger saw the shore was a quarter mile away. He held his son tight and swam.

This was his first time back in the water since the night he’d tried to save the woman in the ocean and ended up getting kidnapped himself.

“You didit,” Tyler said as they neared the shore. “Iknewmy daddy was a hero.”

Ginger choked up but pushed on. His training had conditioned him for long swims. The only problem was he’d spent two months in a cell followed by recovery. He hadn't put much into his cardio lately. His arms burned with each stroke through the water, but he kicked his legs and ignored the pain in his stomach. The wound wasn't nasty, and he'd suffered a hell of a lot worse.

Ten feet offshore, he placed his legs to the muddy floor and stood. He walked the remaining distance and fell to the dirt ground. His boy laid next to him breathing heavily, but they were alive and mostly unharmed.

“You did well.” Ginger said between pants.

A slight pop echoed followed by dirt flying up a few feet away. Ginger jumped up from the ground and swooped Tyler into his arms. He hadn't thought about the accident and howitwasn't actually an accident. Someone was after him. The ping buzzed through the air. His damn gun was in the SUV at the bottom of the river. He'd removeditfrom his waistband when he spoke to the soccer coach.

He bolted down the road, Tyler in his arms.

“Why are we running?” Tyler asked, gazing over Ginger’s shoulder.

Ginger opened his mouth as searing pain hit the back of his thigh. He dropped to the ground. He hovered over his son to protect him from another shot and gritted his teeth as he worked his belt out of his waistband. The leather strap would have to do because he wouldn't stop moving until he got them to safety. He wrappedthe beltaround his leg and tightened as far as hecould.

“I'm going to need you to walk, buddy.”

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