Page 121 of A Midnight Romance
The barrel of Andrew’s gun pushes against my temple with every erratic movement he makes, causing my shoulder to rise with tension.
The moment I see River come down the stairs and our eyes meet, I can tell he’s filled with anger and fear. My knees almost give out with relief, and tears spill from my eyes as my insides experience every emotion all at once.
He found me.
And I know at this moment, the emotions that overcame me are life-changing, making me realize how deeply I’m in love with him.
My body pains for him, being so close but unable to touch him causes an ache in my limbs, and splits with my heart yearning for his embrace.
River’s gun points at Andrew, but this weak bastard is hiding behind me, aware River won’t take a chance and shoot him as long as he has me as a shield.
“You’re going to die,” I grit out through the tape, even though he can’t hear me. My voice trembles with fear and adrenaline, and I feel a subtle relief I’m the only one who can hear it.
“Shut the fuck up,” Andrew warns me, shouting into my ear, and I flinch.
“Do not speak to her that way,” River threatens.
“Drop the gun, Andrew.” Sebastian’s tone is hard as he comes into view, stepping down from the cellar stairs.
My shoulders fall with more relief, while Andrew’s stiffens behind me. “I told you to come alone. We could have run this entire thing together, River,” he chides, clicking his tongue. “Now, say goodbye to—”
Suddenly, River lunges at us as a bullet sounds, causing Andrew to release me and the bullet ricochets off the stone ceiling.
I cower, my arms flying up to cover my head, not sure which gun the bullet came from. Then I’m thrown to the side. My chest falls to the mattress as my stomach hits the side metal frame of the bed. Like being punched in the gut, the breath is knocked out of me and a cramp cripples my core, forcing me to gasp.
Frightened, I whip my head around to see River’s massive frame towering over Andrew as he has him pinned against the wall. His hand is wrapped around Andrew’s neck pressing into his windpipe as sounds of gurgles escape his throat, searching for precious air fill the quiet space.
My body hums with adrenaline from what’s occurring. It pumps through my veins like a drug. Gathering courage and strength, I straighten to a stand, my eyes bounce between Sebastian’s and River, unsure what to do.
Sebastian stands wide, his gun pointed toward Andrew. “Get him on the bed, River.”
River doesn’t move, his grip tightening around Andrew’s neck.
“We could have shared everything,” Andrew says through strained breaths. “We could still share the lieutenant’s daughter.”
“Enough, River!” Sebastian shouts.
“I don’t share what’smine,” River grits out.
Andrew chuckles, his face red from the pressure, his blood pocketing around his cheeks. “You and I are no different. Power hungry, murderous billionaires incapable of love.”
River applies more pressure and Andrew’s eyes roll back.
He’s killing him.
“River!” Sebastian steps forward.
I don’t know what comes over me, but my arm shoots out, effectively stopping Sebastian in his tracks.
I muster any strength I have left, and with a purposeful stride I approach River and place a hand on his tense arm.
He immediately releases Andrew, sending his body plummeting to the cement floor from lack of oxygen, but he’s still alive.
Sebastian rushes over to secure Andrew’s arm to a pipe coming down from the ceiling.
River backs away, panting, his arms hanging at his sides. I step in front of him and squat next to Andrew, making eye contact with his weak, bloodshot eyes.
River stands silently behind me, but maintains a close distance.
