Sin & Salvation

Chapter 48

How the fuck did I end up in this situation.

How has my life gotten so fucking twisted that I'm now being held hostage by my best friend's boyfriend while being butt-ass naked.

As I ask myself these pressing questions, Jason walks us down the stairs, the sound of more footsteps following closely behind.

The cold metal of the gun pressing into my head reminds me once again of the danger I'm in, and Jason's tight hold around my neck and chest has me struggling to breathe. He's not choking me, but he's getting pretty close.

"Where are you taking me?" I ask, my bare feet now touching the soft grass as we walk closer to the lake.

"Don't worry about it," he replies coolly, his tone becoming more agitated by the second.

We continue walking until I feel wood beneath my feet, the subtle sound of the water lapping at the posts beneath us letting me know that we're now on the dock. It's hard for me to look down with his arm holding my head up, so I can only go off what I feel and hear.

"Jason, let's talk about this, please," Brett yells out behind us, causing Jason to whip around and release his arm from me finally. Silas follows closely behind, not taking his eyes off me the entire time.

"Talk about what? Talk about how you never actually planned on being with me? Or about how you were so ready to forgive this little bitch even after she fucked someone else?" Jason yells, waving the gun at me.

Brett shakes his head, coming closer. "I love her, Jase, you know that. And you know I was never going to let her leave that easily."

I've never heard him call Jason that before and it catches me off guard. Silas quickly glances over to Brett, giving him one of the nastiest looks I've ever seen. Brett ignores it, getting dangerously close to Jason as he tightens his hold on the gun at his side.

"But you know as well as I do that my Dad would never be okay with our relationship. He would take away the company and cut me off sooner than he'd ever accept us or our relationship," Brett urges, grabbing one of Jason's hands in his own.

While Jason is occupied, I sneak away behind his back over to Silas who brought the blanket down with him. He throws it over my shoulders and pulls me closely into him. In other circumstances, I might be worried about Brett seeing, but I'm determined now more than ever to prove to him that I don't need or want him anymore.

I'm done keeping him together for the sake of everyone else.

"So, what? Was the plan to always keep me a secret?" Jason retorts, shaking his head in disbelief as he wallows in Brett's silence.

"I'm sorry," Brett falters, his voice sounding more genuine than I've ever heard it before.

Jason laughs in response. "Wow. Okay, didn't expect that one." He turns his back to him, facing out at the water. "So, let me get this straight— you were going to marry Cora, become CEO, live out all your perfect little dreams and fantasies— all while keeping me on the side and using me as you please?"

When Brett doesn't answer right away, Jason scoffs before turning back around slowly, rubbing the gun against his head.

"Tell me I'm wrong and I'll consider not killing each and every one of you right now."

I step forward, wanting to de-escalate the situation as much as I can. "I never planned on staying with Brett."

Brett turns abruptly. "What?"

Silas comes up behind me, placing his hand in the small of my back. "You heard her. Don't make her repeat it." I tighten the blanket around me, hoping it will make me feel safer as a man with a gun and a man with a death wish both stare me down.