Page 4 of Storm Warning

Remi looked down.

Mistake. Big mistake.

The tide had come in hard and fast, and seawater rushed against the cliff directly below her. Driftwood shifted and moved with the force of nature. Her heart clamored against her ribs. Remi once again squeezed her eyes shut, the sound of her pounding heart overpowering the waves.

You can do this. Just keep going.

One hand on the rope, she reached for the next rung, but it broke in half, leaving her pawing the air. Her palms slicked as she found the rope again and held on for dear life.

Caught her breath.

Paco whined. She could feel his body quivering in her pocket. “It’s okay, buddy. I’ve got you.”

The words came out breathy.

And you’ve got me, God.

She just had to focus and climb. She’d be up on top soon. Otherwise, she’d be swept away, lost forever.

Like the big hole in her life that left her unsure who she could trust, wary of everyone. And beyond this cliff, once she made it—and she would—she knew that time was running out for her. She could feel it.

But she could only worry about one crisis at a time as she continued climbing the failing ladder. She should be nearing the top. Ten feet.

Eight feet.

Five feet.

Four...

She looked at the last three rungs. Broken. She saw the crack in each of them. They wouldn’t hold her weight. She’djust have to pull from all her past training and climb the rope instead. Hope for the best.

Remi glanced up, focusing on what must be done. She started climbing and realized that the rope had been shredded.

She literally hung by a thread.

Her chest constricted. All the air whooshed out of her.

What am I going to do?

With the next crash of waves, she could have sworn she heard a voice. Had she imagined it? Desperation fooling her mind? But she glanced up again, searching, hoping.

Hands reached for her. A stranger with steel-blue eyes stared down at her.

“Grab my hands now before it’s too late.”

“What...?” Her throat constricted.

“You’re going to die if you don’t take my hands now.”

Images suddenly crashed into her mind, paralyzing her, blinding her, then she was somewhere ... hot, dry ... somewhere else.

A breaker lashed hard against the cliff, bringing her back to the present. The rope thrashed with the impact. The thread broke. Remi reached for his hands and missed. Once again, she pawed the air.

Fear paralyzed her.

I’m going to die!

But the man caught her wrist.

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