Swept Away
Kathryn Wynnewood raced through the forest. Briars and branches snagged at her hair, arms and legs as she ran as if her life depended on it. Which it did.
O'Conner wanted her dead and wouldn't be satisfied until she lay in a wooden box next to the rest of her family. She'd wanted nothing more than to go to the police and demand more protection but knew they couldn't help her. She'd known O'Conner would come after her, and nothing would stop him from killing police officers just to get to her.
As she stumbled over another branch Kathyrn realized she'd never find the cave that she and her brothers had once used as their secret fortress. Even if she found it O'Conner was good enough to discover it, too.
What she needed was a trap. Something that would effectively capture O'Conner long enough for him to be dealt with. Unfortunately the police were no help. Her guard had taken a bullet for her about two miles back, and now, in the vast state park, she was running out of hiding places.
Hiding up a tree would be stupid and foolish. She'd been so noisy and messy that he'd notice a lack of footprints and find her. Perhaps if she could cross the river and go upstream a little ways she could loose him enough to find a safe place for the night.
Kathryn slipped in some mud and went down hard enough to scrape her hands and knees as the stones tore through her clothes. Holding back tears, she pushed herself up and raced toward the sound of rushing water. The storms from the past few days had devastated the terrain. It was highly unlikely she could cross the water. O'Conner must know that. He probably was taking his time, knowing she'd be trapped.
She skidded to a stop at the flooded bank and looked at the churning water. She was a good swimmer, but not that good. She turned back and saw the trees and bushes moving and heard voices as O'Conner and his men grew closer. If he caught her she'd be lucky to die right away.
"Don't be stupid, Kathryn!"
The sound of his voice so close to her spurred her into action. Without giving herself a chance to change her mind, she plunged into the swirling brown water and sank almost immediately. When she surfaced, she heard shouts and saw the men forming a line to grab her. Hell, no.
She tried to swim deeper into the water. Even if she drowned it would surely be better than what those men had planned for her. This time she was pulled under again, and for much longer. Something slammed into her, spinning her around. When she rose this time she coughed and gagged, spitting out the water she'd swallowed.
"Stupid bitch!"
Kathryn heard the curse and turned to look. A tree branch floated past her and she wondered if that was what had hit her earlier. Something slimy wrapped around her arm, and she shrieked, waving frantically, and plunging under the water again.
Again she popped up, but more debris flowed toward her. He doubted she knew what hit her as a log slammed into her head and her body went limp and sank in the water again.
He glanced down the river and noticed an outcropping of rocks. If he could get out far enough he might be able to catch her. If there was ever a time for praying, it was now, he thought as he hurried to the rocks. A glance back showed him the men gathered together arguing.
Hopefully they were too far to see him as he climbed out on the rocks and prayed the woman drifted close enough that he could grab her. His prayers were answered as he managed to grab onto her hair and then part of her clothes. He tugged her onto the rock and did a quick check to see if she was still alive. There was a pulse, but it was very weak, and she was unconscious. Blood matted her hair and he couldn't tell exactly where she'd been struck.
Another quick peek up the river showed the men still gathered there, but some were making their way toward the trees again. There was nothing he could do about it. He'd just have to risk being seen. He needed to get her to safety and fast.
