Rick’s expression darkens. “You have no idea what you are doing.”
He shifts his grip on the knife, blade glinting in the dusty light filtering through broken windows. “Do you know what happens to men who try to take what’s mine?”
“I’m not yours,” Ellie says, her voice stronger than before. “I never was.”
I keep the gun trained on him, but Rick doesn’t seem concerned. He’s too focused on Ellie, like a predator that’s finally cornered its prey.
“Lower your weapon,” Rick says without looking at me. “Or I’ll open Miles’s throat before you can pull the trigger.”
I don’t move. “You’ll be dead before you take a step.”
“Then we all lose.” His smile is chilling. “Is that what you want, Ellie? More blood on your hands?”
Miles eyes are wide, pleading.
“Put the gun down,” Ellie whispers to me. “Please.”
“Smart girl,” Rick nods. “Always the practical one.”
Every instinct screams against it, but I slowly lower the weapon. Not all the way—just enough to buy time. Where are those damn police?
“Kick it over,” Rick demands.
“No.” I hold my ground. “The knife first.”
He laughs. “You’re not in a position to negotiate.”
“Neither are you,” I counter. “Police are minutes away. You hurt anyone, and you’ll never see daylight again.”
Something flickers across his face—doubt, maybe. Or calculation.
“You know what I think?” Rick says, moving behind Miles, resting the knife against his neck. “I think Ellie needs to choose. Right now. Who lives, who dies.”
“Stop it,” Ellie’s voice breaks. “This isn’t a game.”
“Oh, but it is,” Rick says. “Life’s just one big game of choices. You chose to betray me. You chose him.” He gestures at me with his free hand. “Now choose again. Your ex-husband or your new boyfriend?”
“Don’t listen to him,” I tell her. “He’s trying to manipulate you.”
Rick presses the blade harder against Miles’s skin, drawing a thin line of blood. Miles whimpers.
“Ten seconds,” Rick says. “Or I choose for you.”
Ellie takes a step forward. “If I go with you, if I leave with you right now, will you let them both live?”
My heart stops. “Ellie, no.”
Rick’s eyes gleam with triumph. “Just you and me. Like it should have been.”
“Swear it,” she demands. “Swear, you’ll let them go unharmed.”
“I swear.” His voice is silky, poisonous. “Just come here.”
She takes another step forward, and I feel my world collapsing. “Ellie, he’ll kill you.”
“I know,” she says, not looking at me. “But I won’t let either of you die because of me.”
She’s three steps away from Rick now. Every muscle in my body tenses, ready to lunge forward the moment he moves that knife from Miles’s throat.
