Page 7 of Pawn

Baldy cuts my words short when he pulls on the collar of my shirt, cutting off my air supply, fabric digging into my neck. Marion helps him drag me to the rail but she can hardly lift my tall, muscular build. They push me against the rail before Baldy takes out his gun, pointing it at my head.

“Go!” he demands.

Fuck.

Staring down the barrel, my heart drops to my stomach, my jaw as tight as my chest. This must have been how Dad felt when Jo pointed that gun at him. His last breath was just a trigger pull away. So is mine.

Jo.

If I’m gone from this earth, that means she’s gone from me too. So I’m not going down without a fight. Just like Pops.

Lifting a leg, my boot connects with the tip of his gun, but it’s not enough for him to falter or drop it. He’s got a grip tighter than a virgin and that cold metal comes right under my chin.

“If you don’t get up on that ledge I’ll blow your fucking brains out on this floor and we can all call it a day.”

“You wouldn’t. You can’t murder me if you’re trying to pull off a suicide, fucking idiot,” I laugh and I’m happy it hides my nerves. Tilting my head towards Marion, I’m attempting to bury the fear deep inside being who I’m known to be. A complete asshole. “Looks like you need a more competent henchman. What’s the matter, Baldy? Think if you do what she says she’ll let you fuck her? Here’s a spoiler. You’re too old for this whore.”

He cocks the gun. “Keep going and I’ll shoot.”

My heart feels like it slows, Baldy’s fingers twitching at that trigger like he can’t wait to drive a bullet in me.

“Promise me you won’t touch her,” I’m saying this to Marion. My final plea. “Jo. Promise me she’ll be okay and you’ll let Willow go and I’ll do whatever the fuck you ask. It’s the least you can do. What’re you gonna tell the cops when they find a girl tied up in the basement? You can’t kill her too, they’ll never believe that.”

“I am only after you.” Marion nods as if she’s making a business deal, pointing her chin to the ledge, the same one I saved Jo from. “You want a stupid promise? Fine. I promise.” She’s mocking me but for some reason that makes me feel better about plummeting to my death.

As I climb the railing, my boot slips against the snow and I hold my arms out for balance. Looking down at the driveway, I close my eyes, pushing a foot towards the edge.

This is for her. It’s always been for her since the day I met her. I knew she’d ruin me, but do I have any regrets?

Fuck no. Fuck regrets.

I’d take her tongue on mine, my body on hers again and again knowing I’d end up here.

Taking another step forward, I let out a breath.

They say your entire life flashes before you when you die. Guess this means Jo is exactly that. My entire life.

Her smile settles on my lids. That sexy little laugh. Her even sexier moan when I make her all mine. With her in my mind I can die happy, especially knowing I’ve said those three words.

“Any last words?” Marion asks, leaning against the rail with crossed arms like this is a casual meeting.

“Jo,” I say, sticking my foot out again. It hovers over nothing and the cold air starts to feel like a dream. “Joelle.”

Saying her name makes me fear this fall less and I want her name to be the last thing I say before I leave this earth forever.

“Damien!”

The sound of my name from her voice gives me the same feeling it always does. A deep twist in my abs, shortness of breath. But now, it’s blissful.

“Damien, stop!”

Wait.

That voice sounds way too clear to be a hallucination.

“How did she get here?” Marion yells.

“Damien King!” Jo calls, her voice sounding like it’s breaking. “Don’t you dare jump off that ledge!”

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