Page 86 of Through Uncharted Space

Dare stared at her. “If we do that, we’d have to leave the treasure.”

“I know. But at least he can’t get away with it.” She blew out a breath. “Damn, doing the right thing really, really sucks.”

He reached for her, his lips touching hers gently.

She gripped his shirt. “This is why I tried to stay alone,” she said. “To not care about anything, or anyone.”

She felt water wash over her feet. The temple was filling up rapidly.

“No one really wants to be alone,” he said. “I was alone even while I was surrounded by my brothers, my sister-in-law, my colleagues. I controlled everything in my life so that no one would get close to me. Until a certain independent, smartass scam artist burst into my life.”

Dakota fought a tangle of wild emotions in her chest. “And tried to steal your escape pod and shuttle, and knocked you out.”

He smiled. “Yeah.”

The water touched her knees. “Dare, I don’t know how to say the words. I don’t know how to tell you how you make me feel.”

He cupped her cheeks. “I’ve never said them to a woman, either. But I know you’ve shaken up my life and made me feel, made me lose some control. You’ve made me better. I love you, Dakota.”

She sucked in a deep breath, feeling a little lightheaded. This was scarier than their current predicament and the threat of drowning. “I love you, too.” The words came out in a rush.

He leaned down and kissed her again.

Suddenly, a hand reached up out of the water and snagged Dakota’s ankle. With a violent yank, she was pulled off the top of the pillar and into the water. She landed with a splash.

“You’ve ruined everything.” Korrdo’s wild and angry face appeared in front of her.

He grabbed Dakota, and shoved her down under the water. As the water closed over her head, she fought and struggled. Feeling the water trickling into her mouth reminded her of her earlier experience. She kicked harder. She really didn’t want to relive it, and she didn’t want Dare to have to relive it, either.

Korrdo yanked her back up. “You’re going to die here, you lying bitch.”

As he tried to shove her under again, she saw Dare dive into the water. Korrdo thrust her down, and this time, she didn’t struggle. Instead, she watched calmly as Dare powered through the water and grabbed Korrdo.

She popped above the water again and grabbed onto the pillar, trying to catch her breath. She watched as Dare and Korrdo struggled and splashed in the water. One minute, they both disappeared beneath the surface, and the next, they bobbed back up, trading punches, before sinking under again.

She waited, and waited.

They didn’t reappear.