“Can’t,” Ava gasped.
Luca struggled a moment more and then slipped under the surface.
Caterina grimaced. “He’s gone.” She knew her mother didn’t have long. “Come on, you can do it,” she commanded. She’d go in after her, but they wouldn’t stand a chance.
Ava caught the end of the railing and held her breath. Slowly, she dragged herself up.
Caterina stretched her hand toward her. Come on, come on. Her mother was struggling to maintain consciousness. “You’re almost there; take my hand.”
Ava blinked and shook her head. She was beginning to fade.
They only had a matter of seconds. Caterina hooked her knees against a post on the catwalk and flung herself down backward, stretching her arms out to grip her mother’s hands. “I’ve got you,” she said. “Climb up on me to the platform.”
“Let me g
