Page 2 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

I didn’t like any of this.

“Do you know CPR? She’s not breathing.”

I hoisted myself out of the pool before I crawled over to her.

“Move,” I growled.

Rupert shuffled out of the way as I threaded my fingers together.

“Come on, gorgeous. You’ve got this.”

I pressed my palm against her chest and murmured the song out loud. It was a song John that had taught me would keep perfect time during something like this. Recalling the steps, I stopped pumping and pointed to Rupert.

“Breathe into her mouth,” I said.

He paused. “What?”

I reached for the back of his neck. “Tilt her head back to open up her airway and breathe into her goddamn mouth, Rupert.”

I shoved his head down to her face and he did as I asked. I kept a close eye on him, watching the way he breathed. And when I saw her throat expand, I patted his back.

?

?Let me do this, then you go again. Okay?”

He nodded. “Got it.”

Stayin’ alive. Stayin’ alive. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah.

“Now,” I said.

Rupert bent forward and breathed before I started my pumps again.

Stayin’ alive. Stayin’ alive. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah.

“Now.”

He did as I commanded before I started the pattern over again.

Stayin’ alive. Stayin’ alive. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah.

“Now!”

He sighed. “Max, we need--”

I glared at him. “Now, Rupert.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

Stayin’ alive. Stayin’ alive. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah.

“Now.”

“Max, I really think--”

“Shut up and do it!”

Stayin’ alive. Stayin’ alive. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah.

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