Had the assassin gunned him down?
She looked for the telltale sign of blood mixing with the ocean water but couldnt see any. Dragging in a deep breath, she dived beneath the surface in search of Sawyers body.
Salt water stung her eyes before shed swum four feet toward the WaveRunner. Jenna surfaced, blinking.
The water erupted, and Sawyers face appeared in front of her.
Jenna started to scream, inhaled a gulp of ocean and coughed until tears streamed from her eyes and she sank below the water.
A strong arm wrapped around her middle and dragged her to the surface. Are you all right? Sawyer spun her to face him and pushed the sodden hanks of hair from her face.
I thought you were dead, she said, her voice hoarse from coughing.
He shook his head. Im okay. Its you I was worried about. Its too far for you to swim back, and there might be a riptide. I couldnt let you do it.
She drew in a steadying breath and glared at him. You could have been shot.
Yeah, well, I wasnt.
But you could have been. She wiped tears from her eyes, pushed at his chest and swam away from him, using a breaststroke.
Im really sorry I didnt take you seriously, Sawyer said, easily keeping pace.
Jenna nodded toward the watercraft, drifting farther and farther away from them. You better go catch your ride before you lose it, too.
Im not going to leave you out here. If I have to let the WaveRunner go, I will. He stuck with her.
Jennas conscience couldnt let him sacrifice an expensive machine for her. Besides, she was wasting time. The expense was the least of his worries. She stopped swimming and trod water. Okay. But we need to bring it in at a different location. If you know you have a sniper gunning for you, you cant just present yourself as a target. I would have presumed theyd taught you that in SEAL training.
Sawyer chuckled. They did. I promise to bring it in to a different location. He didnt make a move. Are you coming with me?
She glanced at the shore, admitting to herself, even if not aloud, that it was farther than she really had the strength or stamina to achieve. Yes.
Can you make it to the WaveRunner? Or do you want to wait here and let me come back and pick you up?
I can swim, she said, refusing to show any weakness to this man.
Okay, then. He struck out.
Jenna followed, barely able to keep up with his stronger strokes. By the time she reached the WaveRunner, Sawyer had climbed aboard and revved the engine.
When he reached out a hand, she took it.
With very little effort, he pulled her out of the water, and she settled on the machine behind him. Her arms aching, she wrapped them around his waist and held on while he set the watercraft on a path toward the shore, but not toward the resort where hed entered the water. He aimed toward her resort hotel.
Im not sure this is a good idea, either. Apparently the gunman is staying at this hotel.
Well, where would you have me stop?
She sighed. You might as well stop here. You need to see for yourself what Im talking about. But you cant stand still long. He could be targeting you as we speak.
Sawyer pulled up on the sand and shut off the engine.
Wed better get inside. Its not safe to be out in the open. Jenna glanced at the sun starting its descent toward the horizon. There are only a few hours until nine oclock. If the gunman wants to make his deadline, hell be coming after you.
Jenna scanned the beach, searching beneath the umbrellas. Then she faced the multistoried hotels, looking for anyone positioned on a balcony, aiming a rifle at Sawyer.
Youll have to come to my hotel room. I can show you the case, the gun and the note. Hell, you can have them, for that matter. I dont want the Mexican police to catch me in possession of a weapon.
Sawyer frowned. You say you mistook the case for yours. Where exactly is your case now?
Jenna shook her head. It was supposed to arrive by the time I got back from zip-lining. Thats why I grabbed the one I found.
If you mistook the case with the gun for yours Sawyers jaw tightened is it possible the gunman took your case instead?
Jenna nodded. I suppose its possible. She grabbed his arm and started toward the hotel. The main thing right now is to get you out of rifle range. She marched ahead, holding on to his arm until he brought her to an abrupt stop. Jenna faced him. Do you have a death wish?
Sawyer shook his head. Sweetheart, you realize that if this man finds out he has the wrong case, hell come looking for the right one.
Yeah. So?
Did you leave any identification on or inside your case?
Of course. How else was the airline going to know who it belonged to? Jenna bit her lip, dread filling her belly. Shed been so concerned about warning Sawyer, she hadnt thought about herself.
Sawyers glance shot left, right and forward as if he now was searching for the gunman. You could be in as much danger as Im supposed to be, if that gunman finds out where youre staying.
Then wed better get back to my room before he finds his case.
Sawyer shook his head. Im not so sure thats a good idea, either. He could already be there.
Jennas heart slipped to the pit of her belly. We have to get there. Fast.
Why?
I have a roommate.
Isnt she the one Quentin is with right now?
Yes. But I dont know when shell be back. Jenna walked with purpose toward the hotel, digging her bare feet into the sand. Should the gunman come looking for his case... Holy hell...
Sawyer kept pace.
Jenna shot a glance toward Sawyer. Shouldnt you be ducking your head or hiding your face?
Ill grab a hat in the hotels gift shop on the way back to my hotel. He held out his hand. First lets get that case. Give me your key. Ill check your room.
She dug the key out of her wrap pocket, amazed it hadnt floated out when shed gone swimming. Slapping it into his palm, she stepped into the elevator.
Sawyer entered behind her, his finger hovering over the keypad. What floor?
The top, she said and cringed. The last thing she wanted to tell Sawyer was that she was staying in the bridal suite. Hell, hed find out soon enough.
As the elevator rose, Sawyer pulled a cell phone out of a waterproof bag.
I doubt the police will be of much help, Jenna commented.
Im not calling the police. Im texting my friend I left back on the beach to let him know where I left the WaveRunner. He finished his text and hit Send.
When the elevator stopped at the top floor, Sawyer held out a hand, stopping Jenna from exiting. Wait until I clear the hallway.
My rooms at the end. Jenna stood back, holding her finger on the door-open button while Sawyer disappeared down the corridor.
With her breath lodged in her throat, Jenna waited for Sawyers signal.
It wasnt long before his voice echoed down the hallway. What the hell?
* * *
SAWYER HAD MADE a sweep of the hallway, checked the stairwell and tried the handles on the doors to the other penthouse suites. Each door had a fancy black placard with gold lettering naming the suite. When hed come to the end of the corridor, he stopped and took a step backward.