This was a situation she had dreamed about. Her with a gun trained on Jackson; him kneeling at her mercy, writhing under the barrel of the gun that might bring his doom. She'd wanted that so badly, but in the last five days, the world had turned topsy-turvy and Jackson was ironically the good guy for now.
The one who had replaced Jackson in the role of hated sociopath was standing behind her; his front pressed against her back, his hands rubbing roughly up and down her half bare arms. His pride for her was radiating in every direction, tainting what it touched. Lisa took a shuttering breath as Ethan murmured into her hair, "Do it, Lisa. Make me the happiest man on earth."
Jackson's eyes smoldered over Lisa's head at Ethan. He hadn't anticipated for their rivalry to go this far, though he had taken to mind to watch his back in the days he and Ethan worked as associates. Ethan had gone too far when he stepped into Lisa's life. Jackson's anger was coming to a boil. He'd tear Ethan's limbs from his body if he got the chance.
"Do it, Lisa," hissed Ethan. He was beginning to grow impatient with her hesitation. He gripped her wrists, pulling them even with her shoulder, the gun clutched in her hands. His calloused palms slid up her arms to rest on her shoulders.
Lisa knew she'd only get one chance to retaliate. He was strong, but she had to at least try for her and Jackson's sake. His hands lay heavy on her shoulders. Lisa took one last breath, making eye contact with Jackson. He gritted his teeth around the gag, trying to show her he was ready for whatever happened next.
Her elbow was small, but was also boney and sharp. Ethan reared back and let out an echoing yelp when Lisa's elbow connected with his nose. Lisa spun around, gun raised and ready to shoot. Her finger squeezed the trigger, but the bullet ricocheted off a cement pillar nearby then shattered a car window. Lisa didn't have time to recover from Ethan's backslap. The gun flew from her hands and underneath a car.
Lisa lost her balance from the blow, falling backwards almost on Jackson. She flipped over onto her knees, hurrying to get Jackson untied, but Ethan grabbed a mess of her hair dragging her backwards. It was then Lisa remembered the weapon Jackson had given her that morning. It had given her a little comfort during the day strapped to her thigh, but upon suddenly meeting up with Ethan, she'd forgotten completely about it. Lisa yanked up her skirt, jerking the small knife from it's sheathed around her thigh. She sloppily slid it on the concrete as Ethan pulled her into him. Ethan's hand wrapped around her throat.
"He turned you against me," he hissed, spittle hitting her cheek.
Lisa growled. This was getting old. If one more man curled his fingers around her throat, she'd lose it. If you're going to be persuaded by psychopaths, why not play at their level? With a guttural yell that was very unlady-like, Lisa wound her leg around Ethan's leg and with all her strength, pushed the back of his knee in. He began to collapse from the natural reflex, but he refused to let her go and she collapsed to the concrete with him.
In the blur of the moment, many things happened. Jackson, free of his bonds and standing firmly before them, pointed the gun - that had disappeared under a car - at them. Ethan's fingers dug sharply into Lisa's jaw, his breathing ragged from rage. It felt like an eternity as the two men stared daggers and hatred at one another.
"You wouldn't shoot precious Lisa, would you, Jackie Boy?" Ethan jeered maliciously. He jarred Lisa's head uncomfortably. "Because I can break her neck this moment then she'd always be mine and you could never get your hands on her again."
"I'm tired of playing these games, Ramsey."
"Finally, something we agree on!"
"I'm sure Lisa is tired too, aren't you, Leese?" Jackson stared into her eyes. She had a feeling what he was about to do, and he needed to know if she was ready. Lisa clinched her jaw, loosening her hand from gripping Ethan's arm.
She didn't think she could do it again. Stabbing Jackson in the neck had to of been a flook, like lightning striking only once. But it wasn't. Her aim was perfect and what she was about to do proved that fact.
All she heard was the sound of metal scudding across the concrete and the coolness of the gun meeting her hand. Lisa twisted her arm backwards and pulled the trigger. The jumping of Ethan's body against hers and the sickening choke from his throat let her know she had hit her target. He slumped backwards, arms heavily resting over her chest and waist.
Silence reigned for many long moments as the echoing of the gunshot faded. Lisa was shaking and breathing hard when her dead bonds were removed. She pushed away from the welcoming body that tried to encapsulate her. She didn't want to be bound again, but the arms insisted and Lisa was too tired and scared to fight back now. She collapsed against Jackson's chest as sobs racked her.
I must say that I am most proud of this chapter, It came out really well, better than most of the story came out. I think there will be an epilogue after this and that will be the end of this story. YAY! Maybe I'll write a pre-quel about how Jackson and Ethan's rivalry started, because it makes me sad to see Ethan go. He's been fun to write.