Page 38 of Gripp

April threw all her effort into a final charge. She kicked with her legs, trying to gain an inch against death. A wave lifted her from behind, making her heart soar with hope as she got a little closer to the sand.

The wave dumped her hard, but under her knees was solid ground. As another wave crashed on top of her, flooding her lungs all over again, April knew that this was it … she had nothing left in her.

She collapsed under the wave, the pain in her lungs increasing sharply as she went under again. After everything that she’d gone through, she was going to die in the shallows, literally inches from safety.

It might be better than getting shot.

“April!” Gripp’s voice sounded far away. “April, I’ve got you.”

No, you don’t.

The water had her, and it wasn’t letting her go.

“I’m coming!” Gripp screamed.

Good. Hold me while I die … my love.

“April, no!”

She went down under a heavy, black curtain. The water didn’t hurt anymore, it was a deep, dark pool of perfect peace, and April could only be carried away by it. There was no fight left in her.

She just wished she could have seen Gripp one more time before she left the world forever. She had only just admitted to herself that she loved him … and now, she would never even get the chance to tell him.

TWENTY-ONE

GRIPP

Gripp examined the small island. It had to be only a few miles wide, and there wasn’t much to it besides trees, the sand, and a small hut in the distance.

The island was hidden since it was behind the cave, and just as the man explained, it was empty, which was exactly what they needed.

He held April against his chest, having dragged her up to the surface as fast as he could. She didn’t stir when they broke free of the water, and her pulse was a low thrum.

He splayed her out on the sand, assessing her body as he tried to decide what to do. Her breathing was so shallow, and each heave of her chest revealed water in her lungs to his shifter’s ears.

Leaning over her, Gripp was careful to start compressions, wanting to force the water back up. He worked rhythmically until April’s body jerked underneath him. Deftly, he rolled her on her side as water spewed from her mouth.

Gripp rubbed her back until she recovered, and he sank back on his heels as she fell toward him.

"You, okay?" he asked, looking at her. She lay on her back, facing up, staring at the sky. Her face was pale, and she looked seconds from throwing up again.

She nodded. "Just wondering if I was ever going to breathe again or if we were going to be under that cave forever. A wonderful end to our story, don't you think?"

He gave her a smile, hoping it helped calm her panic.

Gripp looked over the island once more, needing to set up camp. They wouldn't have light forever.

He eyed the small building, which he figured was once a fishing shack. A hut just with enough room for a mattress. "We need to set up camp," he said, watching her stare at him. "How about you catch your breath? I'll try to get a meal together."

She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "I agree to whatever lets me lay here the longest."

He chuckled, taking a step toward her. He bent over, looking down at her. "All right, I'll go fish for a meal while you lay here and sunbathe."

She smirked back at him. "Now, that I can do. Now move. You're blocking my sun."

He shook his head, smirking as he turned.

Walking away, he headed toward the water. It was a little deeper where he could find something to catch. All he needed was something to catch the fish with.

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