Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jameson
T he army of men at my side couldn’t stop me from my next steps when I jumped off the dock and nose-dived into the frigid water. The temperature added another tier of fear to my already increased panic levels. Arizona’s conscious state was already in question after he’d attacked her, and her hands were still tied behind her back, which meant there wasn’t much time left on her clock.
I swam like a bat out of hell, slicing through the water and quickly replenishing my lungs with air. Each second was precious, and every stroke was crucial in the urgent race to save her life. The thumping sounds of a chopper’s wings and a boat approaching from the east side gained momentum as the water currents changed. A beacon of light from above lit up the crash site ahead, where the jet ski sat broken in a mangled mess of fiberglass and twisted metal on a raised portion of rock bed.
My brain clung to hope, even as my muscles threatened to cramp. With every stroke, the struggle between endurance and discomfort became increasingly more difficult while my body fought against the inherent numbness creeping into my bones. I navigated the rough waters and began approaching the crash site, where I spotted three people in full dive gear who each took a giant stride off the side of the marine rescue boat. I was thankful as fuck for the assist in the search and rescue operation.
In comparison, I was severely disadvantaged since all I had was a measly headlamp, but that didn’t matter. I dove repeatedly beneath the water’s surface and did my best to look through the darkened abyss. On my fourth attempt, I caught sight of her in the arms of one of the divers and was immediately by her side, helping them load her limp body up onto the stern.
The rope binding that tied her hands together was quickly sliced before she was placed flat on her back. I sank to my knees, desperately willing her back to life as another first responder started administering chest compressions. With each breath I pulled into my lungs, it became increasingly difficult to remain calm. Time seemed to warp, extending into an infinite loop as panic and urgency seeped into every fiber of my being and unraveled my world before my eyes.
I breathed a grief-stricken sigh of relief when she coughed up water. However, that feeling was short-lived because Arizona didn’t regain consciousness when they turned her on her side, and she started turning a frightening shade of blue.
“She’s in shock; we need to get her to the hospital.” I was beyond frantic. I had no clue how far away we were from getting her the urgent medical attention she so desperately needed.
“Chopper one, we’re ready for you; lower the basket,” one guy radioed.
I looked up and watched the rescue basket descend. I helped transfer her body onto the backboard and inside the basket before securing all the ropes.
“Chopper one, we’re clear to rise.”
Another medic clapped a hand over my shoulder. “There’s a ride waiting for you once we dock to take you straight to the hospital.”
I nodded, offering the guy a faint smile before the boat started to take off, and I collapsed into a boat seat. With my head hung in my hands, I prayed Arizona had the strength to fight on her own until I could reach her side and help shoulder the burden.
My girl was a fighter, and I had to believe she’d be okay; I wouldn’t accept an alternative.
“Shit.” I looked up when it hit me that I hadn’t asked if anyone found Dixon.
I’d been so hyper-focused on finding Arizona that I had complete tunnel vision. He had to face the consequences of his actions, and judging by the body lying under a blanket near the stern and the blood pooling out from underneath it, it was evident he had paid with his life.
“Is that him?” I asked, seeking confirmation.
“Yes, he took the brunt of the impact. There was no saving him; half his skull is missing.”
Maybe it made me a cruel person, yet no part of me felt remorse for the guy. Given his history, I was glad he could no longer hurt anyone else.
“Any chance I could borrow your phone?”
“Of course.” He unlocked the home screen and handed it to me.
I then dialed one of the few numbers I knew by heart.
“Captain Fisher speaking,” my dad answered, and the instant I heard his voice, I fell apart.
“Dad,” I sniffled and leaned my forehead against my hand, my elbow resting on my knee as I tried to steady my breath.
“Jameson?”
“It’s me. I borrowed someone’s phone. We . . . we found Ari, and I need a favor; I need you to get Dustin to—shit, wait, where’s the closest hospital to here?” I shouted over the boat’s engine.
“Quincy in Elmside.”
“Dad, did you hear that? They’re taking her to Quincy Hospital in Elmside. It’s over three hours away from you. She’s in rough shape, I don’t know if—” I choked back a sob and dragged my hand down my face.
“Are you with her now?”
“No, they’re transporting her by chopper, but I’m trying. I’m on a boat right now.”
“Don’t you worry about anything other than getting to her; I’ll take care of things on our end. I know Dustin will find comfort in knowing you’re with her; he trusts you, son.”
“Please hurry, it’s really bad.” I didn’t care that I was a grown man openly crying, not when it felt like my heart was cracked right down the middle with the fear of losing the love of my life.
“Keep the faith; we love you, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you too, Dad. Be safe.”
According to the doctor who first evaluated Arizona in the trauma ward, her hypothermia was nearing a severe level when she was brought in. By the time I reached the hospital, she was already connected to all the necessary monitors, allowing the doctors and nurses to closely track her heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. At the same time, warm IV fluids were administered to help raise her core body temperature.
The doctor informed me it was a slow process and that we needed to be patient to prevent further trauma to her body, known as rewarming shock. While he remained optimistic about her recovery, he cautioned us that her body required rest and that she would wake up on her own schedule. However, that did little to ease the nerves of either Dustin or me as we sat by Arizona’s bedside, feeling absolutely helpless while Jaxon, Boden, and my parents were out in the waiting room.
The hospital staff offered us cots in her private room; we both declined. I sat in a chair, alternating my focus between closely observing Arizona and the various monitors. I was surprised when the sun gradually made its ascent, painting the sky a brilliant gold and orange hue.
While it meant the world was beginning to stir for the day, I knew it was only a matter of time until the police arrived and wanted a statement from me. When they arrived around lunch, I kissed Arizona’s forehead before reluctantly leaving the room. I didn’t want to risk her overhearing my retelling of the events that led us here, causing her more distress.
When I returned to her room over an hour later, I held her hand in mine, pressed up against my lips. I needed her touch to bleed into my soul like I needed air to breathe. Watching the color return slowly to her cheeks felt like the prayers everyone had put into the universe were finally being answered. Silent words passed between Dustin and me, as it was the sign we so desperately needed, a glimmer of hope that our girl was on her way back to us.
Dustin had just stepped out with my parents to grab a coffee when one of Arizona’s fingers flinched in my hand. My gaze lifted to see her eyelids fluttering and her tongue dragging sluggishly across her lips to combat the dryness of the mouth I was guessing she had.
“Ari, can you hear me?” I asked gently, cupping her cheek. “Ari, I’m here, it’s Jameson.”
The elation that started to mend the gaping hole in my heart was overwhelming in the best way possible when her beautiful, mesmerizing golden eyes locked onto mine.
“Ari, baby, you’re back.” I covered her forehead, cheeks, and lips with a flurry of frantic kisses, desperately thanking the universe for returning her to me.
It wasn’t until her little noises caught my attention that I pulled back out of concern and realized she was trying to speak. I quickly reached for the cup of ice chips on the side table and slipped a piece between her lips, hoping that would help with the dryness that was likely causing her some discomfort in her mouth and throat.
Her expression softened as she gave me a hint of a smile before she turned her attention to her surroundings. Even before the heart monitor alerted me to her heart rate rising, I saw the exact second uncertainty blurred her vision, and panic set in.
“It’s okay, Ari; I promise you’re safe. He can’t hurt you ever again.” I tried to reassure her.
As her eyelids fluttered shut, tears slowly streamed down her cheeks. I climbed into the bed next to her, pulling her into my arms, hoping it would provide her with more comfort, and gently wiped away her tears with a Kleenex.
I pressed my lips to her forehead and felt her body begin to relax noticeably, allowing her the peace and security to fall back asleep. When Dustin walked into the room a short time later, his eyes widened with immense relief. It was then that I realized just how much this ordeal had drained him. His shoulders slumped forward when he settled into his seat.
There was no denying that deeply rooted mental exhaustion had set in for both of us; sheer adrenaline had carried us through the days that turned into nights on repeat. Now that Ari had awakened, it brought me the comfort I desperately longed for, assuring me she was on the right path to recovery. It was the most at peace I’d felt in days as I closed my eyes, allowing my mind and body to surrender to much-needed rest.