Page 159 of The Best of Us

“Don’t come any closer,” Daniel warned, turning just enough to force Lennon with him. “I’ll jump. And I’ll take her with me.”

I shifted my rifle to my back and raised my hands. “Come on, kid. Just put the gun down and step away from the cliff.”

My heart pounded—not from fear, but from the knowledge Colin was watching this unfold.

Gunfire waned behind me. That was good. We were winning. But time was running out before Italian Intelligence showed up to put an end to this. I had to speed this up.

“Your sister played you, Daniel. She used you. You don’t have to do this.”

Lennon’s mouth and hands were still taped, but he’d clearly managed to free his own, probably swiping a guard’s weapon on his way out with her.

Her wide, panicked eyes locked on to mine in a silent plea.

I’m trying. I’m trying.

“I—I just wanted to make my dad proud, but I’m a screwup. I couldn’t do what I was told. Noooo, I had to go and try and mug that girl for some extra cash . . . bringing you into my life.” Daniel’s face tensed up with regret. “Aurora told me if I helped her, then Dad would truly accept me as his son, but I fucked that up, didn’t I?” His gun hand trembled.

“Aurora lied to you, but it’s not too late. Your father knows the truth. You still have time to make things right. Just put down the gun and step forward.” I inched closer as loose rocks slipped from the cliffside beneath his shoes.Too damn close to that ledge.

“I don’t know,” he whispered, blinking back tears.

“It’s not too late. We know this wasn’t your idea.” I extended my hand, palm up. He only needed to take five steps. “Please.”

Daniel stared at my hand, tears tracking down his face. “Oh-okay. I—I promise I never wanted this, and I love Lennon. I know I shouldn’t, but I’ve only ever tried to watch out for her, and?—”

His foot slipped.

I lunged, but it was too late.

Daniel lost his balance, dragging Lennon over with him, just out of my reach.

“I’m going in after them,” I said without hesitation, ripping off my helmet as I rushed to the edge.

My breath caught as I surveyed the area below. By some miracle, they hadn’t hit the rocks.

“She’s alive!” My words were meant for Colin to hear.

I yanked off my rifle and tossed my comm, then dove in, aiming for the open water to avoid the jagged inland rocks.

The seventy-foot drop sent my stomach lurching before the impact nearly knocked the wind out of me. The water swallowed me whole.

Surfacing, I scanned the area. Daniel and Lennon were both swimming, but Lennon was struggling against the current, unable to swim with her hands bound. I went after her first, swimming hard and closing the gap before she slipped under. Hooking my arm beneath hers, I flipped her onto her back to keep her head above water.

“Hold on.”

We were too far down to hear gunshots, so I had no idea if the fight above continued. My current focus was getting her the hell out of the water.

Reaching the rock bed, I hauled her up and ripped the tape from her mouth. “You okay?”

She nodded frantically.

“Stay here,” I ordered, already scanning for Daniel again. He was gone.

The waters were a clear blue with the midday sun slicing through. Visibility was decent. Temperature in the low 60s. Cold but survivable.

If I find him in time.I inhaled deeply and dove. First pass—nothing. I surfaced, caught my breath, and went under again. This time, I spotted movement. Daniel’s leg was tangled in debris. He was still fighting but fading fast. Even if he was an asshole, I wasn’t about to let this kid drown on my watch.

I swam toward him and yanked the knife from my belt, slicing it through the fishing net wound in vines that held him down.

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