Without slowing down, he entered the living room. A light clattering sound coming from the glass door to the balcony caught his attention. The door was wide open.
That's weird. I could’ve sworn I shut that.
His eyes narrowed with suspicion as he started towards it, then froze.
Something is wrong.
Before he could turn around, the cold blade pressed into his throat.
An unfamiliar male voice hissed in his ear. “Don't move motherfucker or I swear I’ll rip your throat open.”
Jake had Logan pinned to him, his arm locked around his neck, the knife flush against his throat. A deafening silence filled the room, interrupted only by the intermittent sounds of Logan’s harsh, jagged breaths. Jake didn’t move a muscle. He felt his chest expand as he sucked huge gulps of air into his lungs. He felt the vibrations of his own heart pounding in his chest. At last the fateful moment had come, the moment he would put the past to rest. Yet, after all the months of fantasizing about this moment, suddenly he was unsure what to do next. All because of Kristen and the baby.
“Take what you want...” Logan croaked, struggling to see in the darkness.
“I already did asshole.” Jake kept his voice deep, hoarse, low. He felt Logan cringe and stiffen. You know who it is now, don’t you? Pumped up beyond belief, he was ready.
“Then, what the fuck do you want?” Logan knew who it was. His pulse accelerated to throbbing jerks.
Jake grinned. Time to release all the pent up bitterness and contempt.
“You know what I want asshole.”
Distracted by banging in the kitchen, Jake went rigid. He had to speed it up. “Admit you killed him.”
I can’t let her interfere this time.
The noise in the kitchen died down. Jake held his breath, concentrating on her footsteps.
“Jake?” she called out, peering down the hallway in the direction of the nursery.
“Kristen…”
Startled by the muffled cry, she whirled around. The living room was dark, but she made out Jake's shadow close to the balcony. She blinked repeatedly, struggling to focus.
“Oh my God Jake! What are you doing?” She rushed towards them.
“Stop!” Jake ordered, his grip on Logan’s throat tightening as he slowly repositioned his body so they both faced her. “This is between me and your husband.”
“Jake, let him go! Please!”
“No! He has to admit he killed Ray first. Then, maybe if I’m satisfied, I won't cut his fucking head off!” A diabolical grin twitched on his lips. He brought his face closer to Logan’s. “Maybe your balls instead? How’s that sound motherfucker, hmm? Good trade?” he sneered, the incredible rush, unbearable.
“Jake you can't do this!” Her eyes were frantic as they fell on Logan's terrified, pale face.
“Krissy, do something,” Logan pleaded.
Speechless, Kristen blinked back her tears.
I can’t let this happen! It will ruin everything!
Without moving her eyes from them, she fumbled for the gun.
“Jake! Let him go, I mean it!” The sound of her own terrified breaths resonated in the silence. Her hands clutched the .22 caliber pistol so tightly they burned, but she still couldn’t hold it steady.
Jake's eyes popped open wider in a mixture of agony and shock. “Who are you gonna shoot, Kristen?”
“I don't know, maybe no one, I don’t want to. Jake please…if you kill him what about Alex? Do you want to spend the rest of your life in prison, you want your son to grow up without a father? Please, please just let him go, it's not worth it. Ray is gone, you can't bring him back!”
The more she rambled on, the harder her heart thudded, the violent trembling threatening to bring her to her knees.
“Is that it Kristen, or is there more to it? Why do you care so much if he lives or dies, huh?” He looked down at her, the muscles in his face clenching tighter and tighter
Jake’s words were far away, barely registering. The sudden red haze in her head obliterated him from her sight. All she could concentrate on were Logan's huge, begging eyes. And the knife digging into his throat, about to slice it open. I have to think fast!
She took deep breaths, willing herself not to crumble.
“Logan, tell him, please, say you’ll let us leave without a problem. Tell him you won't try to stop us or do anything. Please!”
“That's not gonna work Kris. I'm sick of this shit!” Inconsolable, Jake shook his head rapidly back and forth.
The fiery rage in his eyes paralyzed her.
“What is then Jake? Just because he was at the club the same night doesn't mean he killed him—anyone could've done it! Let go of him if you want him to talk!” Her eyes bore into Jake’s then darted back to Logan, who was bathed in sweat and hyperventilating.
“Bullshit!” Stunned by the fire in her eyes, Jake’s knees buckled. Swaying slightly, he shook his head. “So you did know—you covered for him all this time?”
“No, I wasn't there! All I know is if you kill him, you're on your own! You'll never see Alex or me again!” She screamed inching forward. “Or maybe I should shoot both of you instead! I'm sick of this shit!” Out of control now, she waved the gun wildly back and forth, then for a quick second turned it to herself. “Or myself maybe, huh?”
The gun shook as she snapped it back in their direction, holding it up higher.
Panic-stricken, Jake’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t trust her, she was too unpredictable and it was apparent she had no clue how to handle a firearm. In frustration he groaned and began lowering the knife. Something in his head held him back.
Not this time asshole!
One quick jerk of his wrist was all it took. The tip of the knife sliced across Logan's cheek, cutting it open. As the blood squirted out, a delirious expression contorted Jake’s face. Satisfied, he wiped the knife off on Logan’s shirt.
Logan yelped, his hand flying to his face. “Fucking bastard!”
Jake lunged at him. Kristen intercepted, latching onto him before he could strike. They stood glaring defiantly at each other until Jake realized she had lowered the gun. On the verge of blowing up, he shoved her out of the away and stormed to the other side of the room.
“A nice fucking scar for you to remember me by shithead!” he muttered, slumping against the wall with a sigh of resignation.
Dazed, Kristen staggered backwards. Managing to hold onto the gun, she whirled back to Logan who was already sneaking up on her, his eyes hopeful but baffled.
“Don't come near me Logan!” she screeched. Her fingers were so frozen and numb she couldn’t feel the gun anymore. It zigzagged in his face.
“Krissy, calm down! You don't even know how to use that thing!” Logan wailed, his face reddening. He reversed, hoping to lure her onto the long balcony.
“I don't have to—all it has to do is go off in your face! So shut up for once, okay?” Feeling faint, she panted. There was no time to waste. She followed him out into the balmy evening.
“Kristen, put the gun down! Let's get the hell outta here!”
She spun around, the gun seesawing in her hands. She held on tighter, pointing it at Jake. “Don't tell me what to do, Jake! It's time for me to take charge of my life!”