Alec

The bitch is going to die. I’m going to choke her out, and her last memory will be of my face haunting her.

My vision is red, and it’s impeding everything, a shade that makes my mood, well, murderous.

Levin tried to give me up. How dare she?

No one knew she was missing. The house, or mansion, to put it accurately, is carved into the side of the mountain like it’s a natural formation that appeared as part of the landscape.

There’s no numbering on the structure or any signage which helps my case.

No one can find us without specific instructions. A gate code. The guard calling me.

But what now that we’ve been seen by the priest?

At this point, forging marriage documents and going back to California might be preferable. I’m sure George knows someone who could help with that. And Levin could be dead after they’re signed.

There’s an expression of horror, not bridal bliss, on her face, a variance from the typical bride.

Regretting my quick instinct to choke her, I unclench my hands from her throat.

The knife’s still in my pocket. I had it just in case she didn’t behave.

I whisper in her ear and shove it in the small of her back at the same time, “It’s time to make a deal.”

She opens her mouth to speak but still hasn’t caught her breath. It’s all air.

I press the knife harder into her skin. “Don’t play dumb.”

There’s a low whisper, “If you’re going to kill me, what does it matter?”

“I won’t kill you if you marry me. I need the money.” 

“I don’t believe you,” her mouth’s in a hard line. “You’ll just kill me later on.”

I’m desperate. Levin motions that she needs to sit down. I lead her to the edge of the cliff, a downward fall the only way to escape.

“What’re the terms?” She’s spent, her voice emotionless.

“Marry me. Have children with me.” I wave the knife around in the air.

“But why wouldn’t I marry someone I love?” She’s disgusted at my proposal. “You’ll kill me the first chance you get. You do realize you won’t get the money?” She’s disgusted. “The kids have to be eighteen before they see a dime.”

I shake my head. George can take care of that. Forging is a loose term.

“I love you, though,” I plead. “We can make a deal.”

My resolve’s melting. I don’t want to kill her. I want to stop this precipitous behavior. I vow to stop hurting what’s mine.

“Who is that man at the villa?” I change topics.

“I never cheated on you, Alec.” She sighs.

“Who he is?” I trace the dirt with my shoe, the patent leather a dusty tan now, matching the desert backdrop.

“A guest of the resort, nothing more.” Her lips are pursed in thought.

Enough about that sorry bastard.

“Marry me, Levin.” I get back on track with the knife still poised in her lower back.

“Put the knife away, Alec.” She tries to turn her body away from my grip on her.

“Then tell me what I want to hear.” 

“I can’t marry you.” Tears are streaming down her face. “You killed Eric.”

My face twists into a grimace, the earlier façade crackling.

“How dare you?” I bellow.

With the truth hanging in the air, I have to get rid of her and get rid of her now. There’s no turning back.

I seize her by the nape of the neck and walk toward the edge, the knife now cutting into her skin.

Levin starts screaming, but I clap a hand over her mouth. 

She tries to spin around and sink her teeth into my hand at the same time.

I shriek and slap her across the face. 

Behind me, someone hollers.

Startled, she falls backward.

Everything is happening in slow-motion as Levin goes down disappearing from sight.

I turn around in time to see the frozen look on a man’s face.

He’s tall, and the way he carries himself looks familiar.

As he gets closer, I see the CEO of that solar energy company, Jake Hunter, appear in my view.

I’m aghast that he’s here witnessing this. I’m right, she’s a cheating whore. This is her flavor of the week.

My focus should be on Levin, but the audacity of this man to show up on my wedding day, of all days, to snatch my bride from me, makes me want to hurdle myself at him punching him in the gut. One more person to get rid of, I sigh.

Oh, Levin darling, you’re free to explore your new choice in men.

Too bad you’ll be dead.

There’s a blood-curdling scream as Levin tumbles down. Along with Jake, I hear the squawk of Father Roberts, a rasping sound.

And two policemen.

I hold up my knife to let them know they’re not going to hurt me.

They sprint past me and almost lose their balance on the edge as they skid to a stop.

They look down horrified to see it’s too late.

She’s gone.