Arresting Attraction: How To Create A Criminal

Chapter Two

Amy dropped the clipboard and picked up her weapon. Her finger flicked the safety off as she stepped closer.

I felt Charlie shake his head, laughing into my ear.

"Tell your watchdogs to put their guns down," he whispered so that only I could hear.

I could barely breathe, trying not to make any movements.

Ryan had his gun up as well, as he slowly stepped around Amy and flanked my other side. His jaw was tight as he sternly said, "Let her go."

My breathing became exaggerated. Anxiety taking over. I could feel too much air trying to get into my lungs, and not enough, all at the same time. My heart beat raced at a hundred miles an hour trying to rationalise and focus on the situation. Adrenaline was pumping through my veins as I raised my hands slowly, clutching the arms ever so slightly tightening their lock around my neck.

"He said, let her go," Amy reiterated, prodding her gun closer to him.

Charlie's grip instantly became tighter, stretching my neck even further from its natural placing. I was sure he was going to snap it with any movement. That was his intention though. Why put it past him? This probably wasn't the first time he'd been in this sort of situation.

He knew exactly what he was doing. One more movement and I'd collapse to the floor in a heap, ceasing to exist.

The air in the room was becoming increasingly heavy. I was starting to loose sensations in my legs, rising up to my arms. Black and white dots were forming around the corners of my eyes as I tried to focus on not hyperventilating. My chest was pulsing too hard to keep up with my breathing, or thereby lack of it.

Charlie dropped his head to my shoulder, nuzzling his nose into my hair, breathing in my scent. He hummed an old tune into my ear. And, with his lips just touching my ear, he whispered, "Tell them to back away and put their guns down."

I couldn't move. I was frozen. Too scared to make any movement.

"Tell them, Scarlett," Charlie hissed.

I gulped, "Guns down."

Ryan dropped his gun, without any doubt. He raised his hands and stepped back, looking towards Amy, nodding at her to do the same. Amy hesitated.

Amy looked between Ryan, and Charlie. Her eyes landed on me last.

"I can't do that, Miss," she said, raising her gun, shoulders poised.

Charlie shrunk, letting me act as protection, "Tell her to drop her weapon."

He tightened his grip on my neck.

I howled in pain, "Amy! Drop the goddamn gun!"

Amy shook her head, but stepped back.

"Amy!"

She made no move to respond. She stood, arms ready.

I felt a pressure running to my head, my eyes blinking fast to accommodate for the tears that prickled wet. The dots circling my eyes grew more and more prominent, interrupting my vision.

Charlie's arms continued to tighten, little by little. His lips rested on my shoulder, keeping his torso and head just out of direct fire.

"Scarlett."

I felt my lip tremble.

"Scarlett," Charlie pushed.

I tried to nod, but stopped myself.

"Scarlett," his warning was accompanied by his hands blocking my airway, causing me to gulp out loud.

"Yes!" I tried to scream. It came out as a sob.