Chapter 34

34

AMITY

I wipe my brow, feeling the heat getting to me. Would it be too much to ask for a little light rain? Not that lady luck seems to be doing me any favors lately.

I look around the valley below, taking a moment to soak it all in. Hot or not, the view from up here is truly spectacular.

"Oh, Jesus."

I turn at the sound of Stefan's voice and frown. "You okay?" If I thought I was hot, Stefan looks like he might pass out any second.

"I don't know if it's the heat or what, but I feel like shit," he admits.

I check to see if the rest of the team is here yet, but there's still no sign of them. "Maybe we should just postpone the shoot today."

"A storm's supposed to be rolling in early tomorrow. They're saying it's going to rain heavily for the next four days."

Crap. Now I feel bad for wishing for it. "Well, we're set up on our end. I have the cams and the safety ropes in place. We're just waiting on the safety mat and whatever equipment you need."

He blows out a ragged breath and nods. "Get yourself ready to go. We'll shoot what we can until the rest of the team gets here."

I nod and jog over to the truck, smiling at Jack as I put on the wig and finish off my costume. Thankfully, today it's just leather pants and a white shirt with a fringe detail. Everyone from hair and makeup is with the other truck, so this is as good as it's going to get.

I feel the weight of my rosary nestled against my chest, hidden from view by my shirt. I should have taken it off—I'll be gutted if I break it or lose it. But every time I think about taking it off, I get this awful feeling of wrongness washing over me, making my stomach cramp. I don't know what to make of it, so I decided just to keep it on.

"Oh, gross," Jack curses. I look over to where he is and see Stefan throwing up all over his shoes.

"He said he wasn't feeling well. Some people just can't handle the heat."

"Looks like we'll have to postpone the shoot."

"He said a storm was coming in tomorrow and that it might last for days. Even when it clears, if the cliff is too wet, I won't risk climbing it."

"And you shouldn't. Hold on, let me talk to Stefan, see what he wants to do."

"Alright." I leave him to it and head over to the ropes, rechecking them. With our tight schedule, there's no room for mistakes.

"He's sick?"

I turn to the guy behind me.

People call me Spook because I can move pretty damn quietly when I want to, but this guy could give me a run for my money.

"Heat stroke, I think, but I'm not a doctor."

"No, you're not."

His words are sharp, but I bite my tongue. Time and place, Amity. Time and place.

"Where's your boyfriend?"

"It's Henry, right?"

When he nods, I stand up straight, even though it doesn't make much difference. "Well, my boyfriend is none of your business. We're here to work, not talk about my private life."

"Well, it's not private anymore, is it? Not with him fucking Monica," he sneers.

I take a step toward him when Jack jogs back over.

"Okay, I'll drive Stefan back and pick up the AD. He can fill in for Stefan today. If we need to do any reshoots, we'll figure it out. But with the storm, it's better to get something than nothing. You'll be okay with Henry, right?"

Hell no. The guy's a walking red flag. No way am I staying out here alone with him.

"Actually, do you think Henry could drive Stefan back? I want to check the equipment again, and I won't feel comfortable until you check it all out, too. You're the only one I trust with this."

I stroke his ego, but I don't care what I have to say if it means getting rid of Henry.

"Sure. Henry, help Stefan get back and bring the AD back with you. Can you also find out where the rest of the crew and equipment are? I need that damn mat."

Henry grumbles and glares at me but nods at Jack before heading to the truck.

"Thanks."

He chuckles. "No problem. You don't like him?"

"I don't know him," I admit, even though he's been around for the last few movies. I let out a relieved sigh as the truck heads down the pass and disappears from view behind the trees.

"But…" he presses.

"But something about him sets off my alarm bells."

"Alarm bells?" He laughs.

I turn to face him. "Yeah, you know, that built-in sixth sense women have about creepy men."

He shakes his head, still chuckling, as he bends down to pick up the gloves. "He's new to it all. He'll figure it out, eventually."

"Figure what out? How to be less creepy?"

"No, how to hide it better."

"I'm not sure that's a good thing."

"It probably isn't for you, but for a predator, it's the only way to survive. How do you think so many pedophiles end up in relationships with single moms? Moms are fiercely protective of their kids. Just ask my wife. Amy was four when we met, and it took her a year before she introduced us.

"They have to play it smart, which is why they work so hard at blending in and acting all meek and harmless. It's a skill that takes time to perfect." He chuckles, handing me the gloves before he picks up the water canteen next to his feet.

Something in his voice makes the hairs on my arms stand on end, and I instinctively take a step back.

He curses. "I gave myself away, didn't I?"

"Jack? You're freaking me out."

"Oh well, I guess the jig is up. I went to all that trouble, making sure the truck broke down and spiking Stefan's water." He sighs. "Honestly, I have to say I'm disappointed it's taken you so long to finally see me. I know you like your games, Agatha, but this one's been torturous."

He steps closer, and I stumble back, dropping the gloves. He swings the metal canteen at my head, stunning me, before grabbing my arm so I can't move back any further.

"You didn't reply to my notes. I thought you were playing hard to get until you let that Neanderthal into your bed. I wasn't happy, Agatha, but then I realized you were just trying to make me jealous, like Amy did with her mother." He yanks me into his chest, his grip on my wrist tight enough to leave a bruise.

"You were picturing me when he was inside you, weren't you? I do that when I'm fucking my wife. I used to shove her face into the pillow and pretend I was fucking Amy. But now, all I think about is you and how I'm going to destroy your tight cunt. Of course, it's not the same. She's too loose to be you. She doesn't scream or fight like Amy either, so it's no fun. But you… hmm… oh, the fun we'll have."

Shock paralyzes me for a moment, but then clarity washes over me, and my survival instinct kicks in. I swing around and smack his arm before punching him in the side of the head. He releases my wrist and staggers back.

Before I can make a run for it, he pulls out a gun and aims it at my head. "Now that wasn't nice." He moves closer, the gun giving him confidence. All I need is for him to come a little nearer, and I'll take his gun just like I did with Hicks.

A faint sound of thunder breaks the silence. It looks like the storm is moving in faster than expected. That might work in my favor and help me escape. The rain will affect his visibility.

"It didn't have to be like this, Agatha. All I wanted was you. And I know you wanted me too, until that fucking biker got in the way. I didn't care that you ignored my letters. That was our game of cat and mouse. You always gave me that secret smile that let me know how much you wanted me.

"I didn't even care that you fucked him because I knew it was just to tease me. But you aren't allowed to love him. That was supposed to be mine. Not his. Mine."

Think, Amity. Get him talking. Make him come closer.

"I didn't know you felt that way, Jack. You have a wife. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to look at you, let alone touch you. But now I know…" I trail off as the thunder crashes and a wave of realization hits me that brings tears to my eyes.

It's not thunder. It's a motorcycle.

While I focused on the sound and where it was coming from, Jack circled around behind me. It's not the best position for me, but I can make it work. I just need him to let his guard down.

"It's okay. You're young, and you have a lot to learn, but I'm a good teacher, Agatha. I can show you exactly what I like and how I like it." Just then, I see movement in the trees and suck in a sharp breath.

Jack must see it, too, because he presses the gun to the back of my head and wraps his free hand around my throat before I can make my move.

"I'll kill you before I let him have you."

I tense as Havoc and G step out of the trees with their guns aimed our way.

"It's over, Jack. Let her go. You know you don't want to hurt her," G says, keeping his voice steady as they both step closer.

"I don't want to, but it doesn't mean I won't. Take your shot. I dare you, but I'll kill her before your bullet ever hits me."

"Amity hasn't done anything to you. She's always been nice. She was your friend, Jack."

"She was mine first, biker trash. And you tried to steal her from me. No, I don't fucking think so."

"Alright, Jack. Alright. Why don't you tell me what to do? If you want me to break up with Amity, that's fine. It's done. I was getting bored anyway." He looks at me as he says it. Though his expression gives nothing away, I know it's a lie. He wouldn't have come for me otherwise.

"Bullshit. I know how intoxicating she is. She's like a drug you can't quit. The ultimate high. I know because she's been my addiction since the moment I first saw her."

I've used similar words to describe G. Is that what love is? Some kind of insanity that makes people lose their fucking minds?

"That was before Monica. Amity was just a way to make Monica jealous, and it worked. You saw the post. We're together now." He looks at me, the bleakness of his expression making my heart ache as he tries to convince a madman he doesn't love me.

The problem is, it's in his eyes for the world to see.

"I'm sorry, Amity. It's not you. You're just not Monica."

Jack pulls me with him as he moves us away from Havoc and G. "You expect me to believe this bullshit? Fuck you. Fuck all of you."

"It's true. I don't want either of you to die, but that's all there is to it." He lowers his gun to the ground and stands back up with his hands up. "No hard feelings, Jack. The best man won. Don't you want to taste her at least once? Feel how tight she is when you slip inside her? Because I have to tell you, Jack, it feels like fucking heaven."

"You motherfucker." Jack swings the gun toward G.

"No!" I scream, shoving his arm so the shot goes wide.

Havoc fires, hitting Jack. Jack stumbles, letting me go. I spring to run—but Jack grabs my wrist and yanks me back.

"Amity!" G roars as the ground disappears and the wind whips past us. It takes me a second to realize that I'm falling. Jack pulled me over the edge of the cliff.

I scream as I fall, reaching out and grabbing hold of the safety rope, but Jack's still holding on to me. When I stop moving, I take all of my weight and Jack's. My shoulder pops, and something in my wrist snaps, making me scream again.

"Amity!" G yells from above, but I can't answer. My breath's trapped in my lungs as waves of pain threaten to suffocate me.

Jack, clearly running on adrenaline, grabs the waistband of my pants, releasing my wrist and making me cry out again. I can't hold us both. I'm not even sure I can hold myself anymore.

He tries to climb up my body and grab for the rope, but it's just out of his reach. Through the pain, I realize my mother's rosary has slipped free from my shirt. With gritted teeth, I reach for it with my free arm and yank the bottom of the cross off, freeing the blade.

I silently pray as I feel my grip on the rope slip.

Fueled by anger, I scream and swipe the blade across Jack's face. He recoils in shock, and as he pulls his head back, I slash across his neck.

He lets go of me to grab his neck, and his eyes widen as he realizes his mistake. I watch him fall, silently screaming as the life drains out of him. I wonder if the ground will kill him or if he'll be dead before he hits it.

I shove the blade into my pocket, sobbing when my arm jolts, and cry out as I slip further down the rope, burning my palm.

"Amity! Hold on, baby. You can do this. I know you're hurt and scared, but I need you to fight through it."

My feet scramble against the wall of rock, trying to find something. My foot connects with one of the cams, and I step onto it, taking some of the weight off my arm, and sob in relief.

I look up and see Havoc and G staring down at me. I've fallen about a hundred feet—maybe less—but with the way my arm is, I might as well have fallen a thousand.

"I can't climb up, G. My arm's fucked."

"Don't even try it. Just to hold on. I'm coming for you."

"No, G. It's too dangerous. Please, I don't want anything to happen to you. Promise me you won't do anything stupid."

"Sorry, baby, but that's one promise I can't make."

"Havoc, you have to stop him."

"I can't, Amity."

"Please, you have to try. Blade would. Order him not to come for me, Havoc," I plead.

"Blade's not the president anymore, sweetheart. I am. If you were mine, nothing would stop me from coming for you."

I cry harder, feeling helpless and hating it. I feel the rope move. "Stop."

"Amity, you can't hold on forever. I have to get to you somehow."

"If it moves too much, I'll slip. I'm already shaking. I think I'm in shock," I tell him, my teeth chattering.

I try to focus my thoughts. He's coming for me, no matter what. I need to figure out how to help.

"There's a second rope behind you. Use that. And there are some gloves on the ground up there somewhere. Use those so you don't cut your hands up."

"Alright. Hold on, baby. We'll be with you soon."

I can't help but snort at the ridiculousness of it all. "I'll be here," I whisper, hoping that's true.

My hand starts to cramp, but I ignore it for a moment, listening to them talk above me.

"Go slow. You won't do Amity any favors if you fall. If you die, she dies too, so keep your shit together. We're not taking any chances here. So, let's wrap the rope around me. I'll help keep it steady and take some of your weight."

"Havoc—"

"That's an order, G, as your president."

It's quiet for a moment. I know G's thinking about the danger to Havoc. If he slips and Havoc's tied to him, he could be pulled over the edge too.

Eventually, G replies, "Yes, sir."

After that, my attention drifts, the pain in my arm making everything hazy. "Just hold on," I mumble. That's all I need to focus on right now. Nothing else matters.

So that's what I do. I hold on and ignore the pain and the shakes and the mind-numbing fear and focus on my grip and my breathing.

I hear G coming and feel pebbles rain down from above. I keep repeating my mantra to hold on. I'm scared G will fall, so I find myself praying to a god I stopped believing in a long time ago.

"I'm coming, Amity. I need something to focus on. Talk to me."

"About what?" My voice comes out shaky, but at least it's still working.

"Anything. I just need to hear you."

"I think we should name our firstborn after Havoc."

"Amity Regan Hollis, if this is your way of telling me you want to adopt babies with me?—"

My laughter cuts him off, surprising us both. "I'm talking hypotheticals."

"Alright, I'm game, but you can explain it to Blade."

"Fuck Blade, Amity loves me more," Havoc yells down, making me smile even as more tears slip free.

"You know, I think I should keep an eye on my president; he seems to have a soft spot for you."

"Because nothing says sexy like hanging off a cliff, right?"

"Courage is always sexy," G answers back.

"If anything ever happens to G, I'll always have your back, Amity. You tend to get into some interesting situations, and I always end up in the thick of it. I wonder if a higher power sent me here because he knew he'd fucked up with my brother, so he gave me a sister instead."

I bite my lips to keep from sobbing. "I always wanted a brother to beat people up for me."

"Well, that's handy. I love beating people up."

I grin, my good hand throbbing while my bad one is mostly numb.

"Besides, I've already met the love of my life," Havoc continues.

"Please tell me it's not Lola. I thought you denounced her as your old lady. She doesn't fucking deserve you. She never did," G calls out.

"God, no. Driller can fucking have her."

"Then tell me about your mystery girl," G says, cursing as a bunch of stones fall.

I cry out and wait for G's body to fall past me. When it doesn't, I let out a shaky breath.

"G?"

"I'm okay, baby. I just misjudged where one of these cam things was. What about you? Nothing hit you, right?"

"No, but G, what's the point in me hanging on if you're going to give me a heart attack?" I snap, my fear making me lash out in anger.

"I'll keep that in mind. Now tell me about this lady of yours, Havoc. How is this the first time I'm hearing about it?"

"Because you brothers are the biggest bunch of fucking gossips I've ever met."

"I resent that."

"That doesn't mean it's not true."

"I didn't say it was. I resent you noticing."

I listen to them joke around, and I know they're doing it to keep my fear at bay, making me love them even more. Maybe not in the same way, but they both matter to me.

"Well let's just say she smells like vanilla, tastes like cupcakes, and feels like heaven, especially for a guy like me who's spent the last few years in hell."

"Do we know her?"

"I don't know. I don't even know her."

I frown, glad when G asks the question I'm thinking.

"What do you mean you don't know her? How can you love someone you don't know?"

"I don't know what to tell you. I guess when you know, you know."

"G?"

"Yeah?"

"I think your new president's a closet romantic."

G chuckles. "I think you might be right about that."

"G?" Exhaustion tugs at me, begging me to close my eyes and rest.

"Yeah, baby?"

"I love you."

"Amity? Are you doing okay?" He doesn't bother to hide the worry in his voice.

"I think so. I'm just so tired, and I needed you to know. It's important."

"Shit, Amity. Keep those eyes open for me, baby. I'm almost there."

"You are?"

"Yep, look up."

"I can't. I'm scared to move."

"Then you're just going to have to trust me."

"I do. I trust you," I whisper as my eyes close, reminding myself to keep holding on. But a sudden movement beside me jolts me, and my eyes snap open to find G looking at me with tears in his eyes.

"Hey, baby."

"Hi," I gasp out through my tears.

He reaches over and wipes them away before kissing my forehead. "I love you too. It's important you know that," he tells me with a wink. "Now, how about we get out of here?"

"God, yes. Please."

He looks from me to the rope I'm holding. "Not sure what the best way to do this is."

"I need you to make me a promise first."

"Amity—"

"If I fall, and you can't hold me without falling too, you let me go. Promise me, G."

"Fuck no."

"G, please."

"You stupid, stupid girl, don't you get it? I'm not leaving here without you."

"I'm not quitting, G. I'll climb beside you and let you help me, but I won't be your downfall."

"If you fall, I fall, Amity. We either both make it out of here, or neither of us does."

Tears stream down my face at the unfairness of it all. We haven't had enough time. I wasn't sure what I wanted until I was faced with losing it, and now I know a lifetime with this man will never be enough.

"Then let's climb because I'm not saying goodbye to you today, G."

He presses his forehead against mine. "When we get out of here, I'm going to spank your ass so hard you won't be able to sit down for a week."

"I'm going to hold you to that."