Dead or Alive by Trevion Burns Read Free Book Online Page B

you do.  You’re just like any other reporter.  You think you’re going to get the story of your life out of this…” His words slowed to a stop, and he stood a little taller. “Wow. I just realized how I know you.”
    “Had you been wondering?”
    “All day.  There was something about your face that was ringing some bell in my head, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.  It finally hit me, just now. This is Violet Chambers KLAV, over and out,” he sang, in a high-pitched voice.  The corner of his lip curled up, but it fell weakly in mere moments.
    “I don’t say ‘over and out.’ I would never say ‘over and out.’”
    “You’ve gotten many a lonely prisoner through many dark, sleepless nights , Violet Chambers .”
    “If you read half of the fan letters I get down at the station, you’d realize how not surprising that actually is.”  Her eyes searched his.  It was a nice moment they were having, and she saw the exact moment when his eyes changed.
    “Don’t be an idiot, Violet Chambers .”  The smile had vanished, and his voice grew deep and gravely.  “Get out of the boat.”
    “Stop saying my name like that.  And I’m not getting out of the boat.”
    “Get out of the damn boat before I take you out myself.”
    He could hardly stand on his own two legs, so the threat fell flat. Violet wasn’t afraid.  Not in the least.  It showed on her face.
    Infuriating woman.  Remy’s eyes searched hers before he reached out and grabbed her arm, but Violet pulled back, fighting him.  She wasn’t blind to how weak he’d gotten.  Back at the courthouse he’d thrown her around like a ragdoll, like it was nothing, now she could feel his struggle.  The man was in pain.
    “Stop fighting me.  Don’t you understand that I want to help you?”
    “You want to help yourself,” he countered, his breath taking on a soft wheeze.
    They struggled for several long moments until the sound of the boat’s engine coming to a sudden halt froze them both in mid wrestle.  They stood, arms linked, hair tousled and eyes wide when the boat at their feet came to a complete standstill.
    It was dead.
    “I guess neither of us are going anywhere now,” she said.
    Remy’s chest heaved and he licked his lips, mind racing.  Suddenly, he was stumbling out of the stalled boat, dragging her after him as he climbed onto the low dock.
    “Ouch!” She tripped behind him on the dock.  She looked down when the cold, rickety wood of the dock began scratching at the beds of her feet.  When had she lost her heels?  Her heart sank when she realized they were at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.  She could have killed him for that alone.  Fury coursed through her.
    “Let me go, Archibald.”
    “I’m trying to let you go.  So go.” With the little strength he had left, Remy yanked at her arm, and then released it, stepping to the side and watching as she stumbled forward.  “Go,” he screamed.  Fury enveloped him when she turned back to him with those big, big eyes.  Those eyes.  They gutted him from inside out.
    She glared at him, adjusting the thin strap of her cami.  “I meant let go of my arm.  Not me.  I’m not leaving you.”
    “Yes, you are.”
    “No, I’m not--”
    “Is everything all right out here?”
    Remy and Violet’s eyes widened simultaneously, brown on blue, and they remained frozen in shock, just watching each other, for several long moments.
    Remy was the first to look over Violet’s shoulder and toward the unfamiliar voice. His mouth dropped in astonishment just as Violet turned on her heel and took in the sight, as well.
    An old woman, who had to be pushing a hundred, stood about ten feet away from them, clutching a lightweight green cardigan around her frail body.
    “What in the world is going on out here?” Her voice took on that grandmotherly tone that only came with age.  Her grey hair was cut into a short, curly mop at the top of her head, and she couldn’t have been an