A.N - Okay, so I promised this chapter would be updated soon. Please don't kill me?

I purposefully updated Sealed With A Kiss straight afterwards. :)

Chapter Eleven

"I'll scream."

Her voice was even, strong. I smiled at her courage - even if it was unneccessary.

"You scream," Paul's voice was equally as calm, though only because he knew he had the upper hand. "And you'll say goodbye to lover boy here."

I turned to face Susannah, ever mindful of the gun trained at my chest, and locked my eyes with hers. Her beautiful green emeralds were sparkling with tears. She was concerned for my safety. Just as I was concerned for hers.

Keeping my eye connected with my querida's, I spoke to Paul.

"Let her go, Slater." I spat. "This is between you and me. Susannah doesn't need to get involved."

"Oh, I think she does." Paul lazily stretched, his hand running through his sun-lightened hair. "You see, if she could only make up her mind then we wouldn't be here, would we?"

He disrespectfully spat at her feet.

"Bitch."

My anger increased at the way he was treating the woman he professed to love. There was no wonder Susannah had been willing to run away with me. No question as to why Susannah had wanted to marry me in his place. Paul Slater was barely synonymous with a human being.

I dug my hand into my pocket, where the ring meant for Susannah had been kept, and clutched the small item almost protectively. Pulling it slowly out of my pocket, I glanced up at Susannah … and saw her face clouded with anger and full of determination.

She was about to do something she'd regret.

"Susannah, no." I warned her, pulling her attention back to me, and away from Paul. "Don't."

Paul was watching us interestedly; I can only assume he was debating which one of us he wanted hurt more. Thankfully, it seemed to be me. Anything to keep Susannah safe.

"Drop what's in your hand, Jesse." His eyes locked in on my closed fist. "Now."

Sighing, I threw the ring down on the floor, watching as it skidded to a stop near to Susannah. Her face twisted with confusion as she tried to place the object in her mind. The sunlight glinted off the ring menacingly as Susannah finally figured out what it was with a sigh. She moved forward to pick it up.

"Not another step."

I realised, with a start, that Paul had his rifle focused on Susannah now. My eyes narrowed in anger.

No. I would not see Susannah hurt.

Catching her eye, I mouthed the words we had only said once before.

"I love you."

Her eyes darted from myself to the gun that threatened her life, and back again, as she realised the implication of my sentiment.

"Jesse," She whispered. "No."

She shook her head frustrated, looking back up at me with tears in her eyes.

"No!"

On her final scream, I made my decision, running towards Paul Slater with every intent on tackling him to the floor and kicking the gun away from him, all whilst Susannah ran to find help in the form of her three brothers, and her step-dad. At least, that was the plan.

Only ... Paul realised my intention also and twisted his body so that his gun was level with my abdomen before firing as I continued towards him.

He didn't miss.

The pain was excruciating, rippling outwards from the wound to all over my body. I felt the blood slowly pool around the hole Paul's bullet had made.

But still, I pushed myself forward, Susannah's safety foremost in my mind.

I succeeded in pushing Paul to the ground, and pushing away the gun from his eager hands. But then the pain became overbearing and I doubled over, my breath having gone and leaving me winded as my hands came up to clutch my stomach.

I lay there, on the ground, staring up at the sky, hoping that the gunshot had garnered some attention from someone who could help. The world was dim, I heard Susannah's voice screaming my name even as the colours around me started to blur. I didn't dare to move my hands for fear of the blood that would alert Susannah to my pain.

The ground shook as footsteps ran quickly towards me, before passing me and bending to pick up the gun I had knocked from Paul's hands.

I faintly heard the waver of a female voice saying my name, before another gunshot rang through my ears.

My eyes shut, waiting for the next stab of pain I was sure was coming.

Instead, I felt warm hands cup my face as Susannah came into my rapidly blurring view.

I saw her perfectly, the tears falling freely from her eyes as her soft pink lips perfectly spoke my name. My name and four words.

"I love you too."

She raised her hand, flashing the glint of my ring, showing me she was wearing it and I made the effort to smile, before another shot of pain from my stomach caused me to wince.

Seemingly uncaring of the blood, Susannah took my hand and entwined it with her own.

My eyes filled with tears of their own when I felt Susannah being tugged away from me. I heard the low din of her brother's – and my best friend's – voice as he told her to let me get medical attention.

I was too weak to keep her hand in mine. Tears were streaming from her eyes as we were pulled apart, losing the connection we had between our linked hands.

Her voice screamed my name.

It was the last sound I heard before my body started convulsing and my heart beat erratically in my ears, all the while slowing dangerously down.

I wished I could have found it in me to speak to Susannah one last time. One final declaration of love.

But I couldn't. I was too weak.

And then everything went dark.