“No, I can’t,” she cried shaking her head again as she tried to catch her breath.
“Mel, it’s okay,” he told her again.
“Time’s a wasting, choose now Mel, or I kill them both and then you…money or no money,” Kevin said aiming the gun at her heart and pulling back the hammer.
“Mel, save Jordan,” Tate stated pulling her gaze to him. “You love him; you’ll never be able to live without him.”
“I can’t live without you either, Tate,” she sobbed.
“Mel-Mel, you can,” Tate replied evenly. “You’ve just never had to try. If you lose Jordan you’re never going to smile again, and I can’t live with that.”
“No, choose Tate,” Jordan countered. “I won’t watch you mourn for him and blame me that he’s not around any longer.”
“No. Jordan, I love you,” she said catching his gaze through the haze of her tears.
“It’s okay baby, you’ll find someone else to love,” he replied as his heart broke that she wouldn’t choose him instantly. “You’ll never find another Tate.”
“No. I can’t, I won’t choose,” she stated.
“Mel, I promised you that I’d lay down my life to protect you,” Tate stated. “I’m not going to break that promise now. Choose Jordan honey, don’t make this into another incident like with Brent.”
That stopped her shaking. It didn’t make sense, and she stared at Tate trying to figure it out. She saw the light reflect off the cuff of his studded bracelet and then she saw the fraying of the ropes. She shook her head pulling from the depths of her reserved strength to draw it out, hopefully long enough for him to get free. “No, I should have never let you make that promise. We were just kids Tate. I can’t do any of this without you.”
“Then choose him,” Jordan said gently. “Mel, baby, I will always be with you, always.”
“No, if you’re not here…no,” she cried letting the tears fall as she looked away, unable to handle the thought of him not being with her.
Kevin grabbed her chin and brought her back to see the choice she had. “Last chance Melinda. Your husband or your Tate, which one would you rather have out there trying to find you while I let every man who wants a chance and has the money to afford you have you?”
“No,” she said catching sight of Tate’s free hands as they went to the rope on his ankles and quickly undid the knot before moving closer to Jordan to get his. “It won’t matter which one of them is out there because if you kill one you might as well kill me because the first chance I get I’ll do it myself. So there’s your answer Kevin. Kill me because you won’t get a chance at selling me to anyone.”
Kevin straightened and glanced back at the two who quickly moved apart as he did. “Seems she can’t even begin to choose, what does that really say about you two?”
“I did choose,” Mel said bringing him back to her. “You kill either of them and I’ll kill myself. I won’t live in a world they’re both not part of, here for me. You wouldn’t get it because you’re a sick son of a bitch.”
“Mel, chose Jordan,” Tate stated and she knew they were both nearly free. “I took a hockey stick to a thug for you. I’ll take a bullet now.”
“NO!” Mel cried. “Kill me,” she added as Kevin turned to look at the two, needing his attention back on her.
“Last chance princess or else you all die,” he said.
“We’ll be together then,” she countered.
“Alright, I think I’ll start with you, make them suffer more watching you die right in front of them,” he laughed aiming the gun at her heart again. “Anything you’d like to say before I end you?”
“Two things. One, Jordan,” she said catching his gaze around Kevin. “I’ll love you forever.”
“Aw how sweet,” Kevin sneered. “Final words.”
“Two, I hope you enjoy hell.” When he took a step towards her, his eyes dark, she added, “Oh yeah and three, you might want to remember to tie the legs next time.”
Mel kicked out, catching him in the groin and her breath caught as Tate jumped him from behind and Jordan grabbed for the gun. It went off into the ceiling, and she ducked as plaster fell all around her. She couldn’t breathe as she watched them struggle and when Tate hit his head against the table and fell to the floor, she screamed in absolute fear.
Kevin punched Jordan in the gut, and he stumbled backwards allowing Kevin time to raise the gun towards Mel.
She saw the barrel level with her head and knew it was the end.
“I love you,” she said to Jordan as she closed her eyes drawing in a shaky breath.
