Page 62 of Gunner

Chapter 27

Gunner racedpast the house towards the woods, his only worry getting to Lacey. Bebe had arrived moments before him and pointed toward the woods. “She ran for the river.”

Gunner knew Lacey was a good swimmer and once inside the woods made a split-second decision that could either save her life or cost them both. He had little choice, but to track someone in the woods at night took time and patience he didn’t have.

A sense of urgency rode him as he felt Waggs right behind him, covering his six. He heard a man say her name up ahead and knew he was on the right track and picked up speed. His feet eating up the ground beneath him as he pushed harder and faster. He just needed her to hang on and not give up. He was coming, he just prayed to God he was in time.

The trees opened up, and he saw the rushing river in front of him lit by the moon. A sound to his left made him turn, and he saw Carmine Russo in the river fighting to stay above the swollen body of moving water. Looking past that he could make out the blonde hair of the woman he loved about ten metres ahead also fighting the current. His heart skidded to a halt as she turned, and he saw a large fallen tree limb hit her, sending her under.

Without another thought, he rushed into the water and swam as fast as he could, even with his strength finding it hard going against the force of mother nature. He passed Carmine without a shred of guilt as the man continued to be pulled under but not moving downstream, indicating he was stuck. Carmine wasn’t his problem. All he cared about was Lacey.

Getting to the spot where she’d been struck by the log, Gunner dove, reaching out into the dark and finding only water. His lungs were fighting for air he swam for the surface taking a giant gulp of oxygen before he dove again, swimming further downstream and sweeping his hands out in an arc and finding dead space.

Twice more he did this, his panic swirling like a massive beast ready to condemn him and then on the third go he felt it, the silk of hair on his fingers. Reaching for it, he dragged her into his arms and swam for the surface. Sucking in a lungful of air, he tipped her to her back and found her body lifeless.

This incident was so similar to the day Milla had been hurt, not in how it happened but the water, the feeling of absolute terror and panic, he could hardly bear it. Waggs met him halfway and helped him drag Lacey to the shore.

Laying her on her back, Waggs began CPR and Gunner held her hand and prayed.

“Come on, Lacey, breathe. Don’t you leave me. I can’t do this without you, I love you so much, Cosmo. You saved me from the darkness. Don’t you dare die on me.” He could feel the wetness on his face, not from the river water but the hot tears that flowed from him.

Every second that Waggs worked on her became an hour as he willed her and begged her to come back to him, knowing his life would be over without her in it. She was the one. The person everyone searched for, and he’d never thought he’d find that. She was his miracle, and he wouldn’t lose her now.

Memories flooded him of watching the same life-saving manoeuvre being preformed on Milla, and the outcome from that weighed heavy. Like history repeating itself in a cruel and tormenting sequel to the events of the past.

His heart almost stopped when Lacey jerked and coughed, river water spilling from her lips as Waggs turned her onto her side. Gunner felt the knot of fear release as he took in the sound of her coughing and breathing, but he was unsure if she’d been affected by the lack of oxygen.

It made no difference to whether he loved her or not if she was harmed in some way. He’d spend eternity caring for her but as she looked around and her eyes fell on him, and he saw the smile she gave him he knew that his Cosmo was going to be just fine.

Hauling her to him as Waggs moved out of the way he held her tight, not ever wanting to let go.

“I knew you would come.”

“I’m so sorry he got to you.”

Lacey looked up with determination in her eyes and if he hadn’t already been head, over heels for her seeing that look in her eye would have done it. “No, this isn’t on you. This is Carmine’s doing not yours.”

“I love you, Lacey Cannon.”

“I love you too, thanks for saving me.”

“I didn’t save you, you saved yourself.”

“Well, not entirely.” She cocked her head at the river where Waggs was dragging Carmine’s lifeless body onto the bank.

“Is he dead?”

“Yes, Cosmo, he’s dead.”

He could hear the sounds of people coming toward them and turned, surprised to see Roz walking toward them.

She stopped and looked down at them. “You good, Lacey?”

Lacey nodded in his arms. “Yeah, I am now.”

Roz crouched and dipped her head before she looked up at both of them, focusing mostly on Lacey. “You saved my son’s life, and for that, I will forever be in your debt. Zenobi is at your service any time you need us, you hear.”

“Anyone would have done the same.”