Page 96 of The Gentleman

“Never that.” Abe tightened his pack straps.

Navarro slowed the boat’s engine to a near-silent crawl as they approached the rocks. The sound of waves smashing against stone grew louder, drowning out the howl of the wind.

“Current too strong,” Navarro shouted over the noise. “You swim from here.”

Leo caught Fox’s eye—grim understanding passed between them. “Wet approach it is.”

“Guess dry and easy was a one-time thing.” Fox grimaced.

Leo turned to Kat, checking her gear, her face, her eyes. “Ready?”

“Ready.” She nodded.

Griff slipped into the water. In seconds, the black surf erased him, like he’d never existed. Fox followed, then Abe, Zak, Eli and Landon, each man entering with the same disciplined economy of movement.

“You next.” Leo gave her hand a brief squeeze, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m right there with you.”

Kat took a deep breath and jumped.

The water closed over her, triggering every instinct in his body.

He waved a silent thanks to Navarro and dove in after her.

The water was a shock—ice-cold even through his wetsuit. The current caught him instantly, tugging him sideways, trying to drive him into the rocks where the waves exploded into whitefoam. He fought back with deliberate strokes, cutting through the black sea until he caught up to her.

“Kat.”

She turned her head, her face pale against the dark water. Her lips were blue. She looked like hell—but her voice was steady. “Still kicking. Keep up.”

Emotion plowed through him. Relief. Fear. Respect. She’d chosen this life, same as him—but it didn’t make it easier to watch her vanish in a wave.

His muscles burned, but he didn’t slow. Salt stung his eyes, swamped his mouth when he turned to breathe. His gear weighed down on him, threatening to drag him under. The shore was just a shimmer between sea and cliff—there, then gone—as the sea surged.

A wave caught Kat from behind, lifting her up before dropping her into a trough. He blinked. She was gone. Just for a moment. But it was enough. His heart seized as panic flared hot and bright in his chest.

Kat.

Then another swell rose, and he glimpsed her again, her stroke strong, her head breaking the surface.

Thank fuck.

Beyond her, Griff had already reached the narrow strip of shingle at the base of the cliff.

Leo pushed harder, fueled by something deeper than adrenaline. He wasn’t just swimming to shore—he was trying to stay between her and anything that might come at them out of the dark.

Finally, his feet hit bottom.

The sensation of ground was disorientating. He staggered forward, water streaming from his body, his limbs numb with cold. The rocks beneath the surface were slimed and sharp.

Kat stumbled beside him, caught off balance by a surge.

He shot out a hand and grabbed her before she could fall on the wicked-looking stone. “Hey.”

She nodded once, hands on her knees, chest heaving. “Thanks.”

He didn’t say anything. Just held her arm for a breath longer than necessary.

She was here, and she was okay.

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