Page 126 of Camera Stays On

He remembered and nodded. “Right. I, Sawyer Delambre, take Andi Marin.”

“And I, Andi Marin, take Sawyer Delambre.”

“To be my lawfully wedded husband,” he encouraged. I repeated the phrase, and then he did his. “I think this is where the guy says I can kiss the bride.”

“Wait, rings!” I exclaimed. “What about the rings?”

His smile dropped. “I—I think I lost yours when you tried to run. I’m sorry, Purdy. We can get one later.”

“I’ve got one.” Asher’s voice came from the trees, and we turned to see him, drenched head to toe from the rain, stepping out from the woods. His hand was raised, and something was between his fingers. In perfect cinematic timing, lightning flashed above, illuminating him and the ring in his hand. My eyes widened as I looked at his hand, then back up at his face. “Juliet was keeping it safe.”

“Ash,” I gasped.

“I don’t know why you keep trying to do this, baby brother,” Ash continued. Sawyer put his arm around me protectively, and I wanted to laugh. It wasn’t Asher I was afraid of. “She’ll never love you. You made that pretty fucking clear with your home movies.”

“Liked those, you sick fuck?” Sawyer laughed. “I bet you loved watching me fuck her over and over, didn’t you?”

Horror and disgust flooded my veins. What was he talking about? Had Sawyer recorded us when we were dating?

“Unlike you, I didn’t watch,” Ash tossed back. “And also, unlike you, she came for me.”

A low growl came from Sawyer’s throat. “Doesn’t matter, we’re married now. She doesn’t want you. She wants my kids, and my bed, and my home! Not yours!” Sawyer tossed me to the side and ran to his brother, shoving him back. The men tussled, and something flew out from one of their coats and into the trees.

“Stop! Don’t hurt him!” I screamed, trying to get Sawyer to come back. “You’re right, we’re married, let him be!”

He reached into his pocket and paused, then dove deeper. It took me a moment to realize he was looking for his knife. Joy sprang from my tears at Sawyer’s confusion, giving Asher the moment he needed to get the upper hand. He kicked his brother to the ground and then put him in a chokehold.

“She’s only saying what she needs to so she can stay alive. That’s what she’s always done with you. But no more, Sawyer. This ends today.”

I stepped back. A flash of lightning lit up the trees, and the glimmer of the ring Ash had fished out of the disposal caught my eye. I stepped over to it, reached down, and plucked it up. I couldn’t bring myself to put it on, so I tucked it into my bust and stepped away from the fighting men. Now, where had that knife gone?

“Purdy!” Sawyer choked out. “Help!” He kicked and fought and finally managed to break free of Asher’s grasp and kick him square in the chest. Asher fell back and hit a tree, collapsing at its base. Sawyer cackled, sitting up and rubbing his neck.

“I don’t think you realize just how long I’ve been waiting for this, Asher. For years I’ve planned Purdy’s and my reunion. You’re not getting in the way of that.”

Ash pulled himself up slowly and coughed. “I’ve been waiting a hell of a lot longer than you have.”

I stared at the brothers, waiting for one to pounce. Sawyer moved first, but he moved slowly, as if knowing his brother was hurt and ripe for the picking. He went to the forest, where the knife had flown, and came back an instant later with it open and raised.

Panic shot through me. This was it. With one quick swipe, Sawyer was going to do something he couldn’t take back. This was more than brotherly squabble. I looked around, searching for something to stop Sawyer, and then I saw it. Pieces of my dress. Watching Sawyer carefully, I moved quietly, picking up the tulle and stretching it out. Slowly, I crept behind him. Ash’s tired eyes settled on mine but flicked back to Sawyer with a smirk.

I waited until Sawyer crouched down, then stepped up to him and raised the shred of fabric. He brought the knife to Asher’s jaw and traced it. “This one’s gonna hurt.”

Taking a deep breath, I plunged down, wrapped the tulle around his neck, and squeezed. Sawyer gasped, and his head flew back as he began to fight for air. Using all my strength, I yanked backward, taking him with me. He dropped the knife, allowing Asher to grab it and stand. I clutched Sawyer to me, hoping he’d go unconscious.

“Get out of here, Purdy. This is between him and me,” he growled.

I looked up. “What? No.” I paused and inhaled deeply, trying to relax my tongue. “I’m not leaving you here I—”

“You have to. This is the only way we’re going to end this. You can’t be here. One of us...” Ash looked down at his brother, still fighting for air in my lap. “One of us has to die. Let him go and get out of here.”

“Where do you want me to go?” This couldn’t be happening. I dropped my hold on Sawyer as his body went limp. I scooted back, letting his head drop to the cold, wet ground. “I can’t go back into that house.” I swallowed. The very thought made me sick. Juliet, Mick, Gavin, all of them were still inside.

“Go to the cars and find one that’s unlocked. Wait for me. Or...” His gaze flicked to Sawyer. “Hopefully, Bea will come to the rescue. Get in a car and lock it.”

He helped me up, and our lips found each other one last time.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t have a choice,” I whimpered, tears sliding down my cheeks. I hadn’t wanted him to see me reciting vows to Sawyer, fake or not. I’d just been trying to survive.