Accidental Shield (Marriage Mistake, #6)

by Nicole Snow

My heart races so breakneck fast I feel it in my temples. I’m totally petrified. But I have to get far, far away before it’s too late. I’m in a boat, scrambling as I push on the throttle. The little skiff jerks across the water, skimming the waves in bumpy zig-zags that make my stomach churn. Somewhere around my feet, the cat cries, just as scared as I am. We’re not far from shore, close to safety, but we’re not there yet. I have to haul butt. Faster! There’s something rattling around behind me then, and suddenly—oh God, it’s in the ship!—I know we won’t make it. I barely have a second to reach down, scoop up my furry baby, and take a leap of faith into the ocean chop. There’s already bright orange flames spreading across the sea the second I come up for air. It’s everywhere, debris splintering and burning and smoking like we’re not even surrounded by the roaring Pacific. More like Hell’s own Lake of Fire. The waves chase them back rapidly, though. So much water. Currents rushing by faster than I thought, invisible fingers slapping me across the face, trying to tear the poor soaked animal from my arms. No! I scream the cat’s name. Then I’m just...sinking. It’s not like the movies. In currents like these, you don’t just slide under. You’re pulled down, fast and hard, and the worst part is, I’m not even crying for myself. I’m crying for my lost cat, who doesn’t stand a chance in this maelstrom of salt and slapping waves. It can’t go down like this. I have to find her, save h...