Part 6

I took a deep breath as I slammed my eyes shut tight! A tear of pain traveled down my cheek.

"Move away from the door," Nick said in a low, rough tone. When I heard his voice, I thought, 'I'm still alive?' I kept telling myself this was an illusion as I eased my back away from the wall and moved slowly. Nick passed yet another shaft of light from the window. 

We locked eyes, and again, even as tears slid down my cheeks, I seized with that sensation in my heart that somehow connected to his heart. His eyes are dark, darker than I have ever seen, but not only dark but piercing.

His jawline is slightly sucked in; I can't seem to shake it. It's like when you catch a whiff of something that transports you somewhere, like a half-forgotten dream floating away.  All you remember is a feeling, and all my feelings surrounding Nick are good.

"It isn't what you think," I said from her tight throat as I backed up into my bedroom. 

Once I crossed the sill of the bedroom door, he was on me in a flash. His massive arm came around my waist, his face in my hair.

"Let me have that, baby,  go ahead, get it out of that draw."

Nick lets me reach slowly. "Be careful, baby," he says against my hair as his warm breath caresses my scalp.

I opened the nightstand drawer, and without warning, Nick yanked my prized possession out and shoved it into the back of his belt while holding me firmly from behind. I turned to him and laughed, adding with conviction, 

"Just remember, I'm not your baby!"

Nick throws me on the bed and swiftly climbs on top of me. He presses his piece to my cheek. My mind goes blank as memories- countless memories enter my mind. One twitch of his finger and I'd be dead.

My heart slams in my chest as he speaks, distracting me from fear.

"You're whatever I want you to be, starting now. Since you like to play charades."

His voice is as velvety as a glove, and the edge of the gun punctuates his sentence painfully. 

"It's a new day and your last day, Ms. Catchings."  He said, speaking with his lips against the corner of my mouth.

I was going to die…

I swallowed tightly as I stared into eyes as cold as glaciers.  I lowered her gaze to the gun pointed at me. I had to be smart about this. It was my only chance to talk my way out of this situation. 

"You don't want to kill me. If you did, you would have already pulled the trigger. And if you are going to kill me, can you listen to me while I  explain?" 

"Why, Beverly? Why?" His voice trembled with a mixture of anger and confusion. My eyes stung with unshed tears, and the cold steel of the gun pressed against my flushed cheek, sending shivers through me. I blinked furiously, fighting to hold back the rush of emotions as thoughts of you flooded my mind.

Desperation clawed at me, and I spoke, my voice quivering as I practically pleaded. "Please, don't do this. I swear to you, you weren't the target of my aim. I learned of your partnership with Shep just a few days ago."

"Shep?" His brow furrowed, uncertainty mixing with rage.

"Yes, we have a past—a very complicated one. But I had no idea you were linked to him in business. If I could rewind time, I would never have touched your company." 

My heart raced as I hoped my words would reach him, that he might see the truth woven in my desperation.

A mocking chuckle escaped his lips, and it made my skin crawl. 

"My girls pick their clients. Haven't you figured things out by now? I only run the business. The Dynastys are smart, and I trust them." 

"But you are the mastermind behind this company, Beverly! I thought you were going, to be honest. But you failed!"

He said gruffly, with his lips drawn tight, pushing the barrel of the gun under my chin. My mind went into a frenzy.

"I... I love you, Nick! You have to believe me." I said I was desperate.

It was as if the gun had disappeared as I uttered those words. I guess I spoke from the depths of my soul. It felt like the heavy layers of calluses that had formed around my heart were peeling away.

As the words tumbled from my lips, I could see the shock etched across his face. 

"That can't be true!" he exclaimed, disbelief lacing his voice.

"How can I prove it? Please, baby, just tell me!" I pleaded, my heart racing.

 "I swear, I only uttered those words once in my life. I never intended to hurt you."

Nick's gaze pierced mine. Emotions swirled in his eyes as he struggled against the tears threatening to break free. I could sense his anger simmering beneath the surface, a wildfire ready to ignite. 

At that moment, the pressure mounted inside me, and I lost control, my voice erupting into a shout that echoed through the silence between us.

"I don't care anymore, shoot me!" I yelled in his face. "Yes! I take advantage of men! And I train women to take advantage of them! Men have been taking advantage of and dominating women for years.

So, if you think I deserve to die because I am satisfied as long as I know you all are suffering!  Kill me!"I began vigorously moving beneath him, frantic and wild. All I could think about was you, Dynasty. I promise. I no longer cared.

"I don't owe you or anyone an explanation for my business dealings!" Shoot me already! Shoot me, Nick! What are you waiting for?! Shep got what he deserved!"

Momentary insanity took over, I guess. I burst into laughter, which sent a chilling sensation through me. It's good to get it off my chest! "I'm happy, and I hope I ruined him for good! He's a cold-hearted lowlife of a man who has done unspeakable things to me!"

Nick looked shocked at my words, and I yelled. 

Then he began to yell back, "You're mad! Shut up! Shut up!" 

Amidst the scuffle, my hand got free from Nick's hold and at that instant. 

A shot rang out! But was it fatal?