I watched silently as they moved to the coffee table.
Jimmy set the papers down, and Lucy sat.
Jimmy spoke, smooth as silk, “I’m sorry I dragged this out so long, Lucy. I just kept hoping you’d change your mind.”
I tracked his hands without blinking, watching every shift of his weight.
“Did you really think I’d come back to you with Brenda in the picture?” Lucy asked, her voice high with stress.
“Brenda was a mistake. You were so focused on your career that I just got lonely. She’s never meant anything to me. Not like you do.”
I heard the rustle of papers.
“You should save it, Jimmy. I’mnotgetting back with you.”
She picked up the papers and started reading. The room was quiet except for the ocean outside and the soft turning of pages.
Jimmy took her hand in his, and it took more willpower than I had not to rush out of the kitchen and stomp his face in.
I didn’t like his hands on her.
And I realized in that moment, with my pulse pounding furiously in my chest, that what I felt for Lucy was more than just a protective instinct.
I wanted to rip him apart limb from limb for touching my woman.
Jimmy’s voice lowered to a soft murmur, and I strained to catch his words.
“I’ve missed you, Lucy. It’s not too late. We were good together, and we could be good again. We can leave Tidehaven behind and find a cozy little town like you’ve always wanted. I’ll make sure Brenda’s not a part of our lives. Or the baby.”
Lucy blew out a breath. “It’snothappening, Jimmy. You and I aredone.” Then her voice softened. “It will be better after tonight. You can focus on your new family. Admit it. We haven’t been in love for years, if we ever were.”
That’s when Jimmy moved. I recognized the moment he tensed.
He was fast for a civilian, I’d give him that.
He grabbed her arm with one hand and pulled out a small semi-automatic with the other, pressing it against her temple in one fluid motion.
Lucy gave a sharp cry that did something violent to my chest.
“If you’d just stayed in your place,” Jimmy growled, the smoothness stripped out of it. “None of this had to happen. Imadeyou. Everything you are is because ofme. And you thought you could just walk away.”
I was already moving.
I came out of the kitchen in absolute silence, crossing the living room in four long strides.
Jimmy Watson never heard me coming.
Before the next word was out of his mouth, I got my arm across his throat, locking his airway.
Then I punched the gun out of his hand with enough force that his grip broke and the weapon clattered to the floor.
I kicked it away and tightened the chokehold, bringing him down to his knees.
The whole thing took less than six seconds.
He went limp enough that I knew he understood it was over.
I held the position for another few seconds out of anger, then eased off just enough to keep him conscious while I reached into my pants pocket for the zip ties.
