Chilled (Bone Secrets, #2)(93)

If they weren’t already.

“Now!” With a jerk, he stretched out his hand another half inch, feeling his shoulder protest. One of Darrin’s hands unclawed from the branch and pawed uselessly. Alex grabbed it. It was like grabbing ice. Slick, wet, and frozen.

“Now, hang on! Pull yourself up the branch while I pull!” Alex gave a steady long heave. Darrin tried to get some leverage on the branch to drag himself closer. The water pulled at his body, weaving him from side to side, trying to drag him away. Agony struck Alex’s right shoulder and his arm ripped from its socket. “Fuck!” Pain shot nails down to his hand. “Pull up! Pull yourself up!”

Darrin focused on Alex’s shoulder. Alex followed his gaze and saw the outline of his right deltoid muscle showed a deep notch where it should arc. The arm was useless. A gleam narrowed the killer’s eyes. He sucked in a breath, let go of his branch, and hauled on Alex’s arm with all his weight.

Alex’s anchoring hand slipped off its branch. He flailed about for a grip as Darrin shrieked with laughter.

Strong arms wrapped around Alex’s waist. “Shake him off,” Brynn shouted in his ear. Alex shook his head.

“I can’t move my arm!”

From behind, Brynn shifted him and Alex grabbed a secure branch. He exhaled, his heart ready to pound its way out of his chest. He felt Brynn slide toward Darrin. “Brynn! What are—”

Brynn swung her boot down on the killer’s grip. At the impact, pain ripped through Alex’s arm and he bit down on his lip.

Darrin let go.

The water ripped the killer downstream. Alex held his breath and watched Darrin vanish under the surface. He counted to ten. Come up, you bastard! Darrin didn’t reappear.

Brynn tightened her arms around Alex and rested her head against his back. “It’s OK, you tried.”

Damn it.

Slowly Brynn inched backward, keeping one arm around Alex’s waist. She tuned out the rush of the water, concentrating on the man in front of her.

She took a shuddering breath. She’d almost lost him.

“Are you all right?” Alex asked over his shoulder.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“You came out over the water.”

Quivers rattled down her spine. “You needed me. Now, careful, I’m gonna hop off onto the bank. I’ll help you down. Watch your arm.” His arm dangled uselessly, looking longer than the other. Shit. She couldn’t reset it alone.

Alex awkwardly climbed off the tree and pulled her close with his good arm. “I thought you were dead. I didn’t think I’d get to you in time.” He pressed his face into her hair.

Brynn leaned into his chest, her arms sliding up around his neck, the horrors of the past hours melting away. Nothing else mattered. She was safe. Darrin was gone.

“He was going to pull you into the water,” her voice cracked.

She felt a rumble in his chest. “I thought I was a goner. Thank God…”

He lifted his head and ran a hand down her face, pushing back her hair, gazing ferociously into her eyes. “I didn’t think we were going to have a chance.”

Warmth spread through her. “We do now.”

He smiled, and her heart contracted at the sight. His smiles were so rare. I want to see more of them, a lot more. Her arms tightened about his neck. He winced. She stepped back. “Your arm. I forgot.”

“I don’t care. Touch me again,” he begged, eyes sparkling.

She reached up and held his face, the stubble rough to her hands. Gently she tugged his face to hers and kissed him.

His mouth was soft and warm, and she wanted more of his heat. She moved closer, and he deepened the kiss. This was what she wanted, what she needed. He stopped to catch his breath and leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. “Brynn,” he whispered. Tears pricked at tenderness in his voice.

“Helloooo! Alex! Brynn!”

“That’s Jim!” Brynn turned at the shouts and Alex mumbled a low curse. “Over here!” she yelled back.

Alex pulled her back to face him. “We’re not done here. Agreed?”

Happiness sparked through her, and she gave him a wide smile. “Not by a long shot.”

“Brynn!” Jim hollered again as he and Thomas stepped into view. Thomas had Kiana in his arms. Brynn met them halfway, burying Jim in a long, deep hug. “Thank God you’re OK,” he said. She turned to Thomas and rubbed Kiana’s head.

“Is she all right?”

Thomas nodded. “Bullet grazed her. She’s lost some blood, but I think she’ll be fine. Not real happy about me carrying her.” Kiana thrashed in his arms, and he gently set her down. Brynn threw her arms around him, and he patted her awkwardly on the back.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Jim and Alex were speaking in low tones as Jim assessed his shoulder.

“Where’s Besand?” Thomas asked.

“Dead. He went under in the water.” Brynn shuddered at the memory of the insane man’s eyes as he floated away.

“Good,” Thomas said ominously. His face brightened slightly. “And Liam’s gonna be fine. Has a big knot on the back of his head and was pretty chilled, but he’ll live. Matt’s playing nursemaid to all three guys.”

“Thank goodness,” Brynn breathed guiltily. How had she forgotten about Liam? “Alex’s shoulder is out of joint. Can you help me put it back?” The big man nodded.