Read Online Alive at 5 (Entangled Ignite) by Linda Bond - Free Book Online Page B

and he took a deep breath. “I thought I was a goner for sure.”
    “Jesus, then what happened?” Why was her stomach cramping? George had survived.
    “Zack reached out for me again. He grabbed my wrist and—he saved my ass. That’s what he did. He got my hand and led me to the guideline. Let me tell you, I did not let go of that line until I saw sky—and I don’t mean through the water.”
    She watched her friend as he rubbed his temples.
    “Maybe you should see a doctor.”
    “I did. One of the guys on the trip is an ER doc. He checked my vitals and said I was fine.” He let out a long breath and nudged her in the arm. “Where the hell were you when I came up?”
    “I came back here to look something up online. Did you know—”
    “Here’s the best part.” His red-rimmed eyes regained some life. “Not once did I let go of that camera. I rolled the whole time.” He let out a strained laugh. “Fuck, I just forgot to shut the damn thing off. Should make for a great video, though. The kind of shit that gets all kinds of hits on YouTube. Stan will piss his pants over it.”
    “Great. Maybe your brush with death will buy me another week on the payroll,” she drawled, relieved that he could make light of his potentially deadly adventure. She pulled him into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She held him until he stopped shaking, and his heart slowed its pace. Finally, she asked, “And Zack?”
    “He took off right after he made sure I was okay. Said he had to meet someone.”
    Breaking the hug, she pushed back. “He abandoned you? To meet someone?”
    “Doc said I was fine.”
    “Who is he meeting in the backwoods of the Florida Panhandle?”
    “He didn’t say.”
    “Did you ask?”
    “No, that’s your job.”
    She pierced him with an irritated look. “So helpful.”
    “Hey. Guys don’t pry into each other’s personal business. We leave that to you women.”
    “Neanderthal,” she scolded. “Listen, I found out something today that you need to know.” She held his shoulders so he’d pay close attention. “Zack’s uncle died in that same sink last year. He went cave diving, and never surfaced.”
    “His uncle ? No shit.” His eyes widened in surprise. “Zack told you that?”
    “No, he did not tell me that, and that’s the point I’m trying to make.”
    “Can’t be true, then.”
    “It is true. I looked it up online.”
    George straightened his back and pressed his lips firmly together. “What are you getting at?”
    “I don’t trust him. First, this news about his uncle, and then he leaves you right after you almost die. Something’s going on, and I don’t like being left out.”
    “He saved my life. Don’t make this into something sinister.”
    She stood up and started pacing. As if she could sit still. “Obviously he doesn’t trust us enough to tell us his real motivation for being here, and he has no problem endangering our lives while we help him investigate. Aren’t you curious who he’s working for? Maybe he’s a private investigator. Maybe he had a meeting with his boss.”
    “Maybe he just wants to find out what happened to his uncle, but he isn’t a sharing kind of guy. A lot of us aren’t.” He gave her a pointed look.
    “Yeah, I get we’re different, but this is serious. I don’t trust him.”
    “You don’t trust any man.”
    Her jaw dropped. “I trust you.”
    A ringtone cut off his response. He reached for his cell. “Yeah?” He sent her a smug glance. “I’m cool, man. A little wiped out, but fine.”
    She mouthed, “Zack?”
    George nodded.
    She scooted closer and reached for his phone.
    He gently pushed her hand away. “Yeah, she’s right here. I think she’d like to talk to you, too.”
    She grabbed the phone. “Zack? I’ve been calling you. I have a couple of questions I need you to answer.”
    “I’m sure you do.”
    She took a deep breath. “I want to know—”
    “No, I didn’t get hurt during that diving accident.