Its okay, the man said. Youll be all right.
He knelt beside her, his movements jerky but somehow controlled, and he got the ropes off her hands and feet. Every few seconds, his gaze darted around them as if he was watching for something.
Not something, she realized.
Someone.
After all, the person whod try to kill her could return to finish the job.
She didnt have time to react to that terrifying realization. Her teeth began to chatter. Her body shook. She was cold and wet, and her head throbbed in pain. For that matter, the rest of her throbbed, too. But at least she was alive. Because of this man, she was alive. Too bad she didnt have enough breath to thank him.
He leaned over her to examine her forehead. It was dusk, but what was left of the filmy sunlight allowed her to see him and his resolute expression. Did she know him?
No.
He was a stranger.
You saved my life, she managed to say.
Water slipped off him and splattered onto her face. With the same gentle touch hed used on her forehead, he wiped away the drops, letting his fingertips linger on her cheek. Yes. I did. He mumbled something else under his breath. Something in Spanish. And he shook his head. Id still like to have your butt for what you pulled, but we can get into all of that later.
She didnt understand what he meant. Exactly what had
she pulled? She hadnt asked to be in that water. Had she? No, she was sure of that. This was no suicide attempt. Shed fought to stay alive.
Who are you? she asked.
Something she couldnt distinguish rifled through his eyes. What the devil do you mean by that?
Id like to know your name, she clarified.
He sat back on his heels and glared down at her. Just what kind of sick game are you playing, huh? She barely got out a denying shake of her head before he continued. Believe me, it wont work. With each word he got louder. I want answers. I deserve answers.
Id like some answers, too. For starters, please tell me who you are.
Gabe, he said, hissing it out like profanity. But you know that.
No, she didnt. She shoved her fingers through her hair to push the wet strands out of her eyes. Part of her thought she might recognize his name, the way hed said it, but she couldnt be sure. Mercy, if her head would just stop pounding, maybe she could sort through all of this.
Gabe Sanchez, he added after a moment.
Still nothing. But she should know him. Maybe she felt that because of his formidable expression and not because of any true recollection. Well, thank you, Mr. Sanchez, for saving me. I thought I was going to die.
He sat there as drops of water slid down his face. He seemed oblivious to the water, to his drenched clothes. Oblivious to everything around them. Everything but her. He stared craters in her.
You would have died if I hadnt been here, he assured her. Someone shot you. When that didnt work, they clubbed you and threw you in the lake.
She gasped, horrified that someone would do such terrible things to her. Someone shot me?
Looks that way. Its just a graze, but combined with that lump, youll probably have one heck of a headache.
She nodded. She already had one heck of a headache so there was no probably about it.
Who did this to you? he demanded. Who tried to kill you?
He seemed angry with her, and she didnt know why. Worse, she didnt know why things didnt make sense. Who had done this to her? Why had she been in the water? And who was this stranger who expected her to have all the answers?
I dont know. She touched her forehead. When she drew back her hand, she noticed the watery blood on her fingertips. She was injured but didnt even remember how itd happened. God, how could she possibly not know that? Did you see anyone before you jumped in after me?
Just a car speeding away. I couldnt make out the license plate. Vigilantly, he looked around them again. When I saw the air bubbles in the water, I dived in.
Thank God he had. If not, she would without a doubt be dead. Where are we?
Lake Pontchartrain. His narrowed gaze came back to her. Are you trying to make me believe you really dont know?
She glanced around her. All she saw was the sun setting on an ordinary lake. Other than that, it didnt look familiar. Are we near Houston?
Houston? he spat out. Were just outside New Orleans.
Sweet heaven. Even with a multiple choice, she wouldnt have gotten it right. What the heck was she doing here?
You honestly dont remember? he asked.
No. It was the one answer of which she was certain.
All right, lets try something easy. Whats the date?
Again, she tried to concentrate. Is it June something?
He blew out a long breath. Not quite. Its August twelfth. Okay. Heres a question that nobody gets wrong. Whats your name?
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Absolutely nothing. Her mind was a complete blank.
He stilled, his expression registering more than a little alarm. You dont know your own name?
She shook her head, trying to will away the dizziness that started to overpower her. I have no idea. And she didnt. No idea whatsoever.