Chapter 23
Liz looks down at her trembling hands, lowering the gun to her side, all too aware of the five sets of eyes watching her, waiting to see what she will do.
She lifts the gun again, still unsure if she’s holding it properly.
Liz takes a deep breath, then lowers the gun once more.
Turning to where Riley watches her, she walks over to him.
Liz carefully extends her arm, holding the gun out to him.
“I can’t do it,” she mouths to Riley who now makes his way over to her.
When he’s standing in front of her, she looks up at him, reaching the gun even further.
“I’m not strong like you, Ry. I can’t do it,” she says when he reaches her.
She keeps her voice quiet, hoping her brother doesn’t hear what an absolute coward she is.
Riley simply puts his hands on her shoulders and spins her around.
He guides her back over, leaving one hand on her shoulder before looking to his team.
He turns his attention to Mikey and waves him over.
As soon as he reaches them, Riley turns to him— “Get them and go somewhere. In the van, behind it, take a walk… I don’t care, just give us some privacy. ”
“EY-EY Captain,” Mikey says, making a flamboyant salute before turning and jogging over to Alex and Tyler. After Mikey talks to them, the other two men look at Riley and give him a nod before walking to the back of the van and climbing in.
Riley waits for the loud bang, signaling the men are safely tucked away before turning his attention back to Liz.
He takes his gloves off and tosses them into the sand before he takes her face in his large hands.
Riley gently tips her head back. She looks up at him, her green eyes sparking in the moonlight.
“Will you trust me, love? No fighting me, no walking away, just trust?” he asks, his eyes searching hers.
“I’ll try,” is all she has to say before he steps behind her.
She feels his hard, muscular body pushing into her back, strong arms wrapping tightly around her.
His callused hands rub down her arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
He wraps his hands around hers, bringing the gun back up, helping guide her aim.
Riley lowers his head, warm breath tickling her ear as he says, “I know it needs to be you, but I’ll be right here the whole time, helping you through it. I’m never leaving you again.”
She can’t form words with his body wrapped around hers like it is, so she just gives him a little nod.
He extends his thumb, pushing a tiny button on something attached to the top of the gun.
Suddenly, there is a small green dot bouncing around in the distance.
“Alright, make sure your sight is slightly above where you want to hit,” he says, helping to guide the little dot until it’s centered on her brother’s forehead.
“Pull the hammer back,” he says, their thumbs working together to pull it back. “Good girl” he says in her ear, sending chills over her body. “Now you really need to listen to me. I want you to close your eyes, and on three, we squeeze the trigger. Don’t just pull it, slowly squeeze.”
Liz nods her head, eyes closing tight.
“One… Two…”
“Wait” Liz whispers, turning her head to look into Riley’s eyes. “I don’t really hate you.”
“I know, princess. I read your note,” he says resting his head against hers. He drops one of his hands, wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her there. Liz turns back around and squeezes her eyes shut, waiting for Riley to begin again.
“One… Two… Three.”
Together, they squeeze the trigger, a deafening bang ringing out before Liz hears the sickening thud.
She can’t move, she just stands there, tears pooling behind her closed eyes, stomach full of knots.
Her hands shake uncontrollably when she feels Riley start to let her go.
She wants to beg him not to, but she can’t form words.
He slips the gun from her hand and quickly slides it back into the holster on his leg.
His hands are back on her before she has time to miss them, turning her around and pulling her tightly into him.
Liz lets herself cry, the reality of what just happened hitting her.
Riley gives her the time she needs, holding her tight as he rubs her back.
“It’s over, princess. You did it,” he says, resting his chin on the top of her head, still rubbing circles on her back. She sniffles, desperately trying to pull herself together, another deep breath in as she takes a step back and looks up at Riley.
He lets go of her but picks her hand back up and walks her over to the truck, making sure not to let her see the bloody mess that used to be her brother.
Riley opens the door and helps her into the cab.
Liz hears the quiet chatter of the team and ducks down, not wanting anyone to see her after what she did.
“I’ll be right back,” he says to her before walking to where the three men are huddled together.
Liz can see them talking about something before Alex and Tyler turn and head back to the van.
Mikey and Riley walk together to the truck, but when they get to the front, Mikey goes to the driver’s side while Riley strides back to Liz in the passenger seat.
Liz scoots herself over to be closer to the edge where he is standing, and leans her head on his chest, numb from the events of the night, she doesn’t fight what her body tells her to do.
“I have to take care of this. I promise, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He strokes her back. “Get her home safe,” Riley says to Mikey.
Even after everything that has happened, she doesn’t miss that he called it home.
Without thinking of the implications, Riley pushes his mask up just enough to lean down and place a kiss on her forehead before helping her settle into the truck.
He closes the door and steps back, watching them drive away into the night.