The sound of metal grinding against metal as the truck slams into the guardrail twists my stomach. The split-second of free fall as we hit open air and drop twenty feet takes my breath away. And the sickening splash I hear as we hit the water in the heavy, heavy vehicle, combined with the violent jerk as my body is thrown forward, almost make me lose the contents of my stomach all over the dashboard.

“Red.”

Somehow, Ronin’s voice reaches me, and it sounds the same as it always does. Calm, level, even if there is an underlying note of strong urgency. “Listen to me, baby.”

It’s the first time he’s ever called me baby, and I can’t even enjoy it.

“Are you okay? Do you think anything is broken?”

I glance around me frantically, noting that we’re in the water, and my stomach heaves again. “Oh, God!”

“Olive. Focus on me.” Ronin grabs my hand, tugging gently.

I turn to face him, finding his green eyes blazing into mine, and I nod. In the back of my head, I know that I’m nearly hysterical, and I shake myself. Snap the hell out of it, Olive. You’re strong. You’re strong. You can get through this. You just went over a bridge in a truck, and you’re alive. So get the fuck over it.

Mentally checking myself, I wince when the pain in my shoulder comes to life. “Ouch. My—my shoulder hurts.”

Ronin nods, glancing down at my shoulder. “Okay. Okay, baby. Anything else?”

I want to look away from him, because we’re in the water and we’re sinking. I feel us lowering, and I need to see. But when I try to glance away, Ronin’s voice goes sharp.

“Eyes on me, Red.”

I look at him. “N-no. I don’t think anything else…is hurt.”

I wish I sounded strong. But I don’t. I sound like I’m about to break at any second. When something cold and wet trickles over my feet, I glance down. Dread shoots an arrow through my chest. I start kicking my feet, stomping against the water, but of course that does nothing. It just keeps coming.

“Easy, Red. Listen to me. I’m going to get us out of here, I swear to you. I want you to unbuckle your seat belt.” Ronin squeezes my hand, and then releases it.

I keep staring at him, refusing to look away. I’m trying so hard to ignore the water stretching up to my calves.

“Right now, Red. Do it now.”

Dazed, I turn my attention to my seat belt.

“I’m going to open my door and we’re going to swim out. But listen, Red, here’s the catch. I’m not going to be able to do that until we’re submerged.”

Wait…what?

“What?” My panic rises, my voice trembling. “I don’t want to drown, Ronin.”

The water, colder than I would have thought it could be, splashes up over my knees. Why is it rising so fast? Is this really happening?

“Shhh, baby. I know. You won’t. I won’t let that happen. You trust me?”

Now unburdened by my seat belt, I look at him and take a calming breath. Because even though I’m in a truck sinking into the depths of the Intercoastal Waterway right now, I’m here with Ronin, and that means I can survive it.

I nod. My teeth start to chatter, and maybe part of it is because the cold Atlantic is creeping up my torso. But I’m also vaguely aware that I’m probably going into shock. Darkness is dancing at the edge of my vision, and I blink rapidly, trying to keep it at bay.

“Good girl. I have to wait until we’re submerged, because the doors won’t open until the pressure is equal on the inside and the outside of the truck. When I say, I’ll want you to swim out through my door with me. I’ll never let go of your hand, okay?”

I don’t answer, because I’m still stuck on the word submerged.

“Olive?” Ronin’s using his sharp voice again. “You know how to swim, right?”

I nod again.

“Good, baby. Good. Okay, we only have another couple of minutes. When the water covers your chin, I want you to grab the biggest breath you’ve ever taken, before it covers your nose and mouth, okay?”

“O-okay. I’m scared, Ronin.”

I don’t know if I’ve ever admitted such a thing out loud before. Of course there’s been many times in my life that I’ve felt fear. Deep, dark fear that cloaks you and threatens to swallow you whole. But taking control means you have a weapon to fight it with. It’s why I never let that control go. But right now, in this situation? All my control is gone. And I’m handing my life over to the man sitting beside me, trusting him to keep me safe.

Ronin, having already unbuckled his own seat belt, turns his entire body around to face me. He slides me over onto the bench seat so that I’m tucked up right next to his side. “I know you are, Red. But you’re doing so damn good right now. We can do this. Okay?”

I take a few deep breaths, practicing for the big one. I try not to watch as the water rises, and for some reason my sister’s face flashes into my mind.

Rayne. What if I never get to see her again?

“Now, Red. Take that breath.” Ronin’s strong, steady voice breaks into my thoughts.

The man is serious, unshakeable. If it weren’t for his rock-solid assurance, I wouldn’t be conscious right now, I’m sure.

I suck in a breath, a deep lungful of air, and hold it. My eyes wide, I try to focus on Ronin’s face as he watches me intently, the water rising over my nose.

He takes both my hands in his, and I just try to focus on his touch, not on the water.

When the seawater covers the top of my head, I glance up. Bubbles froth above me as it reaches the top of the car, and then Ronin yanks one of his hands away. Not realizing someone could move so fast underwater, I watch as he pulls back on the door handle and shoves. The truck’s driver’s-side door wrenches open, and Ronin wastes no time reaching back for me.

My lungs are burning. Stars dance for real in front of my eyes, but I focus on Ronin as he pulls me through the interior of the car and out into the dark water. I’m immediately disoriented, not able to see a thing, but the steady tug of Ronin in front of me lets me know that he has me.

And then, my air runs out. Dismayed, I start to struggle and kick, knowing that I need to make it to the surface faster. Strong arms circle me, and my mouth bursts open even as I tell it not to. Salty water fills my mouth, and my body is shocked when, instead of air, I inhale the liquid surrounding me.

Everything goes dark.