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Chapter 21:
"So, guess who called me today?" Her voice was low, dangerous. James slowly eased himself up and walked over to her.
"Kate." she hissed. "Why did you give her my cell number?"
He shrugged.
"She wanted to see you. 'S all she asked for, I swear."
"I cut off communication with everyone for our safety!" Riley nearly shouted. "For our daughter's safety!"
"And she's right upstairs." said James, fighting to keep his anger in control. "and Steve is in jail. We are safe, Riley."
"You don't know that! You know what he's capable of!"
"Keep your voice down."
"Daddy?" Katelyn had come to see what was going on. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, darlin'." he lied, feeling like an ass for doing so. "Your momma and I are just talking. Go back upstairs."
Katelyn looked at Riley, who nodded mutely, before disappearing back up to her room. Riley glared at Sawyer.
"You love it don't you?" she said.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"Pissing me off."
James laughed and pulled her against him, kissing her passionately.
"Damn straight." he muttered.
Sawyer shoved Riley behind him, and pulled out his gun.
"Relax, James, I'm here to talk." said Steve.
"Bull." snarled Sawyer.
"What do you want?" asked Riley warily, peeking out at him from around Sawyer.
"I want to talk." he said. "Alone."
Sawyer noted that Riley's knuckles were white from gripping the rifle so hard.
"Alright." she said.
"Are you insane, woman?" exclaimed Sawyer.
Riley smiled sadly.
"I need to do this," she told him, and kissed his cheek. "Besides, he's had an ass kicking comin' at him from me for a while. I'll be fine." she told him in a whisper. In truth, she was terrified of Steve - she had been ever since his first attempt to assault her. Sawyer looked at her, disbelief etched in his features.
"If you need me, shout." he said.
"Will do."
Sawyer had a very bad feeling as he watched Riley walk off with Steve.
Lapidus stared at Ben and Richard, and they stared back.
"What are you doing out here?" asked Ben.
Lapidus looked dazed.
"I was with Jack's group - I got separated from them." he said. "What're you two out here for?"
"I have no idea." said Ben. "Richard?"
"We're going to get the hell off of this island." he answered.
"Why'd you cut off communication?"
"I was - afraid." I said softly. "afraid for Katelyn. He's attacked me and James already...who's to say he won't come after her now?"
Kate reached across the table and squeezed my hand.
"He's in jail." she said. "He can't hurt her, Riley."
I sighed.
"That's what James said."
"Then why are you so worried?"
I bit my lip.
"Because he still thinks 'Lyn is his."
Kate's eyes widened.
"What?" she exclaimed, "but you never slept with him - and he never came close to - well you know."
"He's delusional." I stated.
Kate frowned.
"So what are you gonna do?"
"I don't know." I said. I truly felt helpless.
"He's not gonna get anywhere near Katelyn," said Kate firmly.
"How do you know?"
Kate smiled.
"Because I know you, and I know James." she said simply. "Trust me, he doesn't have a chance against either of you."
"Okay this is far enough."
I looked at Steve and tightened my hold on the rifle.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Why him?" asked Steve.
"What?"
"Why did you choose him?"
I sighed.
"Because I love him." I replied.
"What about me?" he yelled. "I was there for you when he wasn't!"
"All you ever did for me was deliver my mail!" I argued, "Then you assaulted me!"
He closed the distance between us in three strides, and fastened his arm around my waist, pulling me against him. I screamed and drove the butt of the rifle backwards, dropping it only when it hit something solid, and I heard Steve scream in pain. I grabbed his arm and pulled it off of me before taking off at a run.
Sawyer heard her scream, and swore audibly. When he moved in the direction they'd gone, he heard movement behind him, and whipped his own gun out, only to find...Claire.
"Don't even think about it, Sawyer." she deadpanned, cocking the rifle to show she meant business.
"Claire." he said slowly, "What are you -"
"Oh don't play stupid," she scoffed, "I know you and Riley are a threat to Louis. I'm here to take care of you. By the sound of it, Steve's already taking care of Riley for him."
Sawyer's eyes widened in horror.
"No." he said. "You don't want to do this. She was your friend at one time - you can't let him do this, Mamacita."
Claire cocked her head to the side, staring at him curiously.
"What about you?" she asked.
He shrugged. All he wanted, at that point, was to save Riley's life.
"What about me?" he said.
Claire looked sad.
"I always knew you loved her." she said softly. "I'm sorry."
And then the gun went off.
Ahhhhh! Cliffhanger time! hehehe! Hope y'all liked this - please leave a review on your way out - no flames please!