Page 91 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"I'll shoot you right here."

Our gazes clashed, and I saw the murderous intent in his eyes. "If you shoot me, no one will believe it was an accident."

"No, it will look like murder, but I've planted some information that will tie Andrew to Allison's death, so it won't be difficult to pin this on him, too. He has motive to get rid of both of you. Allison was his ex. You two were fighting. You caught him cheating, and whatever… There are plenty of narratives we can tell."

"What kind of information did you plant?"

"Stop stalling. Move or I shoot!"

Neither choice was good, but one gave me slightly more time to think of a way to escape. I walked toward the door, my mind racing as I searched for an option. But there was no way I could sprint down that narrow circular staircase and get away from him or a bullet, so I had to go up to the viewing platform.

Bennett was right on my heels every step of the way, the gun pressing hard into my back, the smell of alcohol on his breath making me want to gag. He was definitely drunk. Maybe he wasn't as rock steady as he should be. Maybe I could find a way to shove him over the railing and save myself.

When we reached the circular viewing platform, I saw the broken rail, the empty space, the long fall awaiting me, and I stopped abruptly, panicked at what was coming. Bennett pushed me forward. I stumbled from the force of his hand, and it brought back memories of another shove, the one on the swim platform.

"Did you push me before?" I asked, turning back to look at him. "When we were on the yacht? Was that you?"

"No. That was Allison. I told her if she got rid of you, I'd pay her double. But she failed. You survived. You're quite good at that."

"And Sally, my horse? Did you throw a rock at her?"

"That wasn't me. That was Allison. She wanted to scare you and show Andrew what a weak person you were. And that's enough questions."

He forced me to take another step forward, then another, until I was almost at the edge, and terror ran through me. I didn't see any way out. This might really be it. Bennett had already killed once. He would do it again. I looked over my shoulder, giving him an imploring look. "You don't have to do this. I won't accept the money. I won't acknowledge Victor as my father. You don't have to worry about me. I don't care about the inheritance."

"He cares. And I don't trust you. You'll say anything to save yourself."

I saw a shadow slip onto the deck. Then someone came running out of the shadows, moving so fast that Bennett didn't hear him. A gun came down on the back of his head. Bennett's eyes flew open in shock as he fell at my feet.

My jaw dropped when I saw who had taken out my attacker.

"Andrew," I breathed, looking into my husband's beautiful blue eyes. A tremendous relief swept through me. "Oh, my God! You're here!"

"Looks like I got here just in time."

"How did you know where I was?"

"When you weren't in the suite, I called Megan. She told me Bennett was meeting you here."

"You saved my life—again," I said in amazement. Maybe I'd been wrong about him. Maybe I should have never lost faith in him. "Thank you." I moved into his embrace, closing my eyes as he gave me a long hug.

As we broke apart, he picked up Bennett's gun and tucked it into his waistband, while he still kept his weapon in his hand. That made me wonder when and where he'd gotten a gun. I hadn't seen it in his suitcase when I'd unpacked for him. And why had he brought a weapon here?Had he known I was in trouble?

Suddenly my relief turned to wariness.

"Let's go inside," Andrew said.

I was more than happy to get away from the broken railing, so I followed him down the stairs. He stopped at the landing and waved me toward the office.

"I'd rather get out of here," I told him.

"In a minute. I need to show you something."

I didn't think I could handle any more surprises, but he was blocking the stairs, so I went into the office. Once inside, Andrew grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the desk.

"What are you doing?" I asked, seeing the hard look in his eyes, feeling the tension in his grip.

"It's over, Lauren."

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