Page 70 of Return to Me Always

One more movement forward, and he reached out to grab me, pulling me to him, crushing my back against his chest so I was facing Tyler. His free arm went around my throat in a chokehold, taking my breath away.

Tyler's eyes narrowed, his hands in fists at his sides, as he stepped forward again. "What have I got to lose now?" Tyler said.

"Nothing," Malcolm said. "She's coming with me. And you're staying here. Forever."

Without enough oxygen, it took a few seconds for those words to sink in. He was going to kill Tyler.No matter what.

His arm tightened around my throat as he dragged me backwards, forcing me to take small steps. Blackness swam in front of my eyes while I gulped in shallow, ragged breaths.

I had to do something! Tyler couldnotdie. Not because of me. Not because of my inaction. But what could I do?

Malcolm's arm around my throat strangled me even more, somehow growing tighter, stars flashing before my eyes.

Through some miracle, I suddenly realized my arms were free. Without a second thought, with all my strength, I elbowed him right in the gut as hard as I could.

He grunted and let go of my neck, the gun dropping to the ground. I sprang free just as Tyler rushed forward. But before Tyler could reach me, Malcolm shoved me so hard, I stumbled backwards, falling, my head striking the ancient stone wall, pain shooting throughout my body.

In a haze, I heard the sound of Tyler colliding with Malcolm. Through my blurry vision, I watched Tyler punch Malcolm in the face and then deliver a blow to his gut.

But Malcolm held his ground, hitting Tyler back. I felt Tyler's pain, the crunch of bone on flesh. They traded hit after hit, neither ceding an inch to the other, as I lay there fighting for consciousness.

Desperate, I looked around for something, anything, I could use to help, and I spotted the gun not far from where they were fighting. I turned to see Tyler repeatedly punching Malcolm, driving him backwards now, toward the decaying castle, seeming to gain the upper hand.

But I wouldn't let him be alone in this battle. This was our fight. Together.

Crawling toward the gun, I fought the pain, fought the agony.I could do this. I could reach the weapon. With a final push through the splintering torture in my head, I stretched my arm forward to grab the gun but stopped when I heard a sickening sound behind me.

The awful crunch of bones breaking.

Looking behind me, I nearly gagged at the sight of Malcolm slumped against the wall, blood and rain mingling together to drip from his face.

Tyler glanced at me, his chest heaving, his face bruised. Looking one last time at Malcolm who didn't move, Tyler started toward me. But I couldn't take my eyes off of Malcolm. Was he dead? Was he just unconscious?

A slight movement of his hand told me he was still alive. Still alive! Reaching down with a swift movement, he pulled something from under his pants, near his ankle. To my horror, I realized it was another gun.

Another gun!

And he pointed it right at Tyler.

Not even thinking, I somehow dove in front of Tyler, the bullet piercing my shoulder with excruciating pain, excruciating torment, like a white-hot knife stabbing me.

Another gunshot noise ricocheted through the air, and I waited to feel the thud of Tyler falling to the ground next to me. But it never happened.

Instead, his face hovered above mine. "Ryder! Stay with me. Don't you dare die on me!"

He flung his jacket to the side and tore off his shirt, pressing it to my wound.

"Were you shot?" I managed to ask.

"No. I shothim. Before he could hurt you again."

Thank God."Tyler, I—"

"No. Don't talk."

If I was going to die, I needed to know something, so I fought through the anguish of speaking. "Please. I have to. Please."

Looking frustrated, he eventually nodded.

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