The Survivor (Eve Duncan #30)

They both came up gasping, and Riley instinctively pushed Eve closer to the deck.

Pfft.

Another shot, also muffled by a silencer.

Striking the water only a foot from Riley’s head!

“This way,” Eve shouted. She pulled Riley lower in the water. “Underneath!”

Both women ducked under and emerged on the dock’s underside, giving them just enough room to breathe.

RAT-AT-AT-AT-AT!

More shots rang out, splintering the wood planks above them.

“Those bullets came from another direction,” Eve said. “No silencer.”

BLAM! BLAM!

Chunks of decking rained down on them.

“Those shots came from the other side of the lake,” Eve said. “I count at least three shooters out there.”

“What the hell is happening?” Riley dropped lower into the water as more shots tore into the dock. “We can’t stay here.”

“I won’t argue with that.” Eve pointed toward the shore. “There’s another boathouse where this dock meets the land. If we can get there, we might be able to force open a trapdoor that will take us inside.” She became aware of a roar behind her. She turned and saw a speedboat skipping over the waves.

It was headed their way.

“Shit,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Wait. It might be okay.” Riley pointed toward the boat. Two men took positions on each side, holding automatic rifles aimed at the shore. They fired their guns as the speedboat pulled alongside the deck.

A gray-haired man bent toward them from the wheel where he was standing. “Riley Smith?” he shouted.

The boat’s pair of gunmen were still firing more rounds at the shooters on the shore, and she didn’t know what to answer. “Yes,” she finally said. “Who the hell are you?”

“I’m Pete Loring. Jon Kirby sent me.” He held out his hand. “Get on the boat while my men are keeping those assholes busy.”

“Get Eve on board,” Riley shouted. “I’ll be right behind you.”

He hesitated. “My report said it was you who was shot.” As another bullet splintered the wood next to him, he quickly reached for Eve. “Whatever.” He effortlessly pulled Eve out of the water and onto the speedboat. “Let’s just get out of here.” Then as he dragged Riley aboard, he saw the blood pouring from her wound. “Damn!”

The boat’s side mirror exploded from another barrage of gunfire.

“Shit! Keep down!” Loring hit the throttle, and the speedboat hurtled forward. They tore across the lake toward the eastern shore.

Riley crawled over to where Eve was lying. “Okay? This has to be my fault… Sorry.”

“You’re the one who got shot,” Eve said gruffly. “Stop apologizing. Evidently Cade must have sent the cavalry for you, and I don’t mind tagging along. But I need to be somewhere I can look at that wound.”

Riley glanced down at her arm. “It’s probably all right. I don’t think it’s bleeding any longer. But I don’t know what the hell is happening.”

“Neither do I. We’ll find out later,” Eve said. “I think we’re safe now. That’s all that’s important.” But she was turning and tugging at Loring’s shirt. “Go somewhere I can patch up Riley right away. Do you hear me?”

“I’m working on it,” Loring said curtly. “I’ve already called an ambulance. As it is, I’m going to catch hell from Kirby for letting her get hurt. That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Tell me about it,” Eve said sarcastically. “This is my home. She was my guest. I feel… invaded. And if you don’t get her medical attention right away, I’m going to show you how angry I am.”