Page 60 of Choose Me

"What are you talking about?" I asked her, confused.

"When I was watching you, I realized that you not only had the love of your little murderer lover, James, but also his best friend."

"You lie." I hissed between gritted teeth.

"I may be many things, but a liar isn't one of them." She spat contemptuously, pointing her knife at me. "Oh, and poor James here had no idea that his precious Ava was in love with his best friend, too. How's that for a plot twist?" She cackled as sadistic glee lit up her cold eyes.

I shifted my gaze between James and Everett, shock paralyzing my muscles as I stood, trembling. James had one hell of a poker face on, but I saw his jaw clenched tight with barely contained wrath. My heart hammered against my chest as she continued.

"She doesn't deny it. Do you see this, James? This is so much better than I could have imagined. The look on all your faces. Someone give you three an Academy Award." She clapped her hands together gleefully. "Now, to win the performance of the year, that will require some sacrifice. Let's skip to the part where the sexual tension explodes, and we give the audience what they want. Ava is going to fuck Everett, and you're going to watch, James."

I gasped, my stomach sick. "No. I won't." I protested.

She pulled out her gun and aimed it back and forth between Everett and James' heads. "Then choose. Choose which man you'll save."

"You can't do this," I screamed.

"Actually, I can do whatever I want. I'm the one holding the gun, after all," she scoffed and rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. "Tick Tock. Tick Tock. What will it be, Ava?" She smirked, her tone breathy as she swayed her hips as if she were dancing.

I wavered back and forth, my pulse hammering. "No, please don't make me do this," I begged through quivering lips. Tears rolled down my face as my gaze darted back and forth. I turned to James and pleaded with my eyes. He gave me a single nod of approval, sealing my fate. Then he looked away from me, his usually warm features turning into cold stone.

33

THIRTY-THREE

AVA

"I don't have all night. Move it." Margaret shouted, pointing towards the mattress.

I stumbled toward it, Everett close behind me. I glanced back at James, but he wouldn't meet my gaze.

"Let's go you lovebirds. Take off her clothes, Everett." She barked.

Everett's gaze remained fixed on mine as he edged closer. I shut my eyes tight, wishing I could melt into the floor and disappear somewhere far from here.

"Open your eyes!" Margaret scolded.

I did, trembling as Everett undressed me and then himself, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Good girl," Margaret said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Now, lie down."

Margaret watched with a predatory gaze, her eyes fixed on every inch of my exposed skin. It made me feel dirty, and I hated myself for this.

I trembled as I did what she commanded, lying exposed and vulnerable on the mattress. Everett climbed onto me, using his body to shield me from her view. His skin was warm against mine, and I turned to look at James. Margaret followed my glance, and with a cruel smile, she grabbed his chin and forcibly turned his head towards us.

"You don't want to miss the best part." She sneered.

Everett reached out to tilt my chin and look at him, his thumb stroking gently against my skin as he whispered, "Keep your eyes on me. It's just you and me now. No one else can see."

The tightness in my throat grew thicker, but I nodded in understanding.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked cautiously, searching my eyes for permission.

This wasn't James' best friend right now. This was Everett. My Everett. The man I had unexpectedly grown to love. Neither one of us expected to have feelings for each other, and this situation was fucked up, but if it meant saving the two men I loved and escaping this fucking nightmare, I would pledge my soul to the darkest recesses of Hell itself.

My lips quivered as I hardly managed a whisper of consent.

He pressed his lips to mine, gently kissing me like we were the only two people in the world. I wrapped my arms around his back, holding onto him for dear life, drowning in the softness of his lips. He moaned into my mouth, and I stroked my tongue against him, aching for his touch.

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