No! Please, God, no!
Margos stomach convulsed. Fighting for air, she reached out and gripped the pier railing to keep from going over the side, her legs two disjointed pieces of rubber. She squeezed her eyes shut and began to pray fast and furiously, demanding that God hear her immediate need. When she was finished, over the pounding rain, she heard him. No, it wasnt God, but the voice was just as powerful, just as wonderful. She imagined the Almighty wouldnt have approved of her brothers choice of words, but Blus deep voice scalding the air with profanity was sweet music to her earsso much so that she began to cry.
Through happy tears, Margo watched Blu lift his dark head and lock gazes with her. A second later he was cussing again. Bon Dieu, Chili! Get the hell off the pier! Are you nuts?
His pet nickname for her made Margo cry hardershe and Blu had been so close growing upso close in age and appearance that they had often been thought to be twins, though he was three years older.
A dark stain had spread over his left thigh, and Margo sucked in her breath, afraid of what it meant. She watched Blu roll to his stomach, his lightning-quick movements settling her worst fearhis wound couldnt be all that serious if he was able to move
so effortlessly.
He swore at her again, this time in French, ordering her to dive into the water. Margo ignored the order. Number one, she hated water and had only learned to swim because Blu had dogged her for an entire summer the year shed turned twelve. Two, her concern for him wouldnt allow her to abandon him. She wouldnt want to live if something happened to him.
She shoved away from the railing and started forward. She was almost there, almost able to reach out and touch him. Almost
Two shots rang out in rapid succession. The first one whistled past Margos ear, the one that followed made no noise at all.
She felt the bullet rip its way into her flesh, the force so intense, so staggering, it knocked her to her knees. The sharp pain stole her breath, then her balance. She swayed into the railing, felt the rough wood scrape hard against her cheek. Her knees finally buckled.
She heard Blu roar in protest, then he was beside her, gripping her arm and hauling her over the lifeless stranger. Still roaring in anger, he pushed her facedown into the sodden deck boards and threw himself on top of her.
Again crude language scorched the sultry night air, followed by, Ill fry in hell for this if you die, so dont! You wouldnt want to send me to hell, would you, Chili? Keep breathing, ma jolie! Keep breathing, you hear?
When he eased his weight off her to see if she was, in fact, still breathing, Margo muttered, A few innocent pictures, my butt. What have you gotten us into? Whos shooting at us, Blu?
Thats it, Chili. Get mad at me if it helps.
His gaze shifted to the waterfront, and Margo followed her brothers gaze. Two men were climbing onto the pier, both carrying guns. Big guns. The kind seen in the movies. Blu
How bad are you hit?
Margo grimaced as his hand passed over her blood-stained arm just below her shoulder. Ignoring her moan, he tore open her shirtsleeve to get a better look at the damage. The bullet tore you up some, but the good news is you wont die. He flashed her one of his rare smiles, then glanced back to the two men who were advancing on them. Were out of time. Come on, Chili.
Margo glanced at her arm covered in blood. Her stomach rolled, and she briefly closed her eyes. Im going to be sick, Blu.
Not yet youre not. Ill hold your head like when we were kids, but later. Right now weve gotta go.
Go? Go where? Margo asked, sure she didnt want to knowBlu never did anything that didnt involve a certain amount of risk or skill.
Were going swimming.
Oh, no! No! Not me.
Those guys, ma petite, he motioned to the duo closing in on them, then shoved something into the back pocket of her jeans, they arent headed this way to ask you for a date.
What did you put in my pocket?
The key to a treasure map. If I dont show up in a couple of days, give it to Brodie.
What are you saying?
He leaned over and kissed her. Just think of this as an adventure you can tell your children about some day.
There wasnt time to explore his ridiculous reply; he was already pulling her to her feet. Margo locked her knees like a stubborn donkey. Blu, I dont like swimming, and you know how much I hate the river at night. I get my directions turned around and
When we hit the water, swim for the Nightwing.
You want me to swim all the way to River Bay? Margos eyes were huge, contemplating the half-mile-long swim to where Blu docked the fastest, most-talked-about cruiser on the river.
Brodies on board, he explained. Hes already heard the shots, so hell know things have gone to hell. Have him take you somewhere where you can hide out for a few days.
I cant go home?
No. He glanced down at her injured arm. You need medical attention. Ive got it, he said suddenly, how about hiding out at the old mans place? No one would think to look for you there. Oui, its perfect. Hell be able to take care of your arm, too. And Ive changed my mind about the key. If I dont show up in a couple of days, give the key to him. Hell take it from there.