TinderElla:

by Eddie Cleveland

  “Yeah, we’ve got lots of catching up to do.” I can hear him behind me. He pushes the nozzle of his gun flat against my pussy and panicked tears choke me. I sob into the trunk, at his mercy. And Knox has no mercy.

  “Once I’m done fucking every hole on your tight little body, I’m gonna shoot it. First, I’ll shoot your asshole, then your pussy, I’ll save your mouth for last so you don’t die too quick. I’m gonna enjoy letting you bleed out like the fucking pig you are,” Knox crushes me against the edge of his trunk, his body weight flattening me, making the metal edge dig underneath my ribs and push the air from my lungs.

  I’m crying so hard, but I can’t pull the oxygen I need into my body. I start to cough and sputter.

  I have no doubt, none whatsoever, that he will make good on his promises. If I don’t die here first.

  “Knox, get the fuck away from her,” Jake’s voice booms from behind me. It bounces off the inside of the trunk, like an echo in a cave, reassuring me.

  “Fuck you,” I hear Knox spit at him and am suddenly free as his body is plucked from mine.

  I stand up and gasp for air, whirling around to see Jake pounce on Knox like a starving lion taking down a sickly hyena.

  “You think you’re a badass because you beat down a woman?” Jake rolls on top of him. “I’ve taken out the biggest terrorist in the fucking world. You’re nothing but a little bitch,” He punches Knox in the face and his head flings back against the pavement.

  I don’t know what to do other than watch in horror as they struggle for control of the gun. Knox isn’t nearly as big as Jake, but he’s like a weasel. He’s able to maintain control of the weapon as he twists out of the way of Jake’s heavy punch. His hand hits the cement with a sickening thud and a smile slicks across Knox’s face as Jake grimaces in pain.

  I look around frantically. I don’t have a phone to call 9-1-1. I can’t see anyone by the building or out in the parking lot, but I can’t just stand here like a fool. I start screaming my head off for help.

  “Please, help! Anyone! Call the cops! Help!” I shriek desperately.

  Jake balls up his fist again, but this time he doesn’t miss Knox’s sharp nose. Blood explodes from his face as his nose is mangled under the force of Jake’s punch. I watch as Knox’s eyes roll back into his head with wonder. Did Jake knock him out?

  Jake twists Knox’s hands, trying to pluck the gun from him, but he can’t. Under him, Knox is still managing to cling to the weapon, pointing it at Jake’s face.

  “Please! Help! Oh my God, he’s going to kill him! Help!” I break down into hysterics, but no one is coming.

  The two men writhe on the ground, yanking for control of the gun. Knox points it at Jake, then Jake takes control and aims it at Knox. My heart is beating out of my chest and I can’t stop screaming at the top of my lungs, feeling like a helpless, pathetic, fool.

  BANG!

  I watch in horror as Jake slumps over Knox. “Oh my god! No!” I cry out, running over to Jake. I don’t care anymore what happens to me. If Jake is dead, I have nothing left to live for.

  I throw my arms over Jake’s shoulders and he slides off of Knox’s body before standing up, gun in hand.

  He’s alive! I look down to the pavement at the blood gushing from Knox’s chest. There’s no doubt from the hole in his body that he’s not walking away from this one.

  “I thought he killed you. I thought,” I throw my arms around Jake’s neck and he lifts me up, swirling me around and gives me a kiss.

  “Are you ok?” His eyes are full of concern as he gently puts me back on my feet and rubs his thumb over my fat lip.

  “It’s nothing,” I grab his hand and look him over, still not fully convinced that he wasn’t hurt somehow. “I’m just so glad you’re ok. I’m so glad it’s over,” the words tumble out of my mouth.

  I look over to the front of the building, Cameron and his father are running out the doors toward us. My eyes fall back to Knox’s lifeless body bleeding out the same way he wanted me to.

  “It’s over,” Jake reassures me, running his swollen hand over my hair. “It’s over.” He pulls me into his chest and I listen to his heartbeat, shaking as my nerves try to settle.

  I can’t believe that Knox is dead. That I’m finally free. Forever. I cling to the only man I’ve ever truly loved. The man who just saved my life. My hero. I listen to his heart promising me of our days to come. Of our freedom. Of our future. Of a life without Knox.

  I’m finally free.

  42|Jake

  “Am I going to jail? It was self-defense!” I can feel myself getting worked up as the detective finally comes back into the room. He’s left me sitting here for at least an hour. Do they think I’m lying? I should probably call a lawyer. This whole night has been so chaotic, I haven’t been thinking straight. I should’ve demanded a lawyer an hour ago.

  “Petty Officer Armstrong, please, calm down.” The officer casually strolls across the room, his ginger hair brightening under the fluorescent lights above. The hues of orange and red remind me of campfires we had when I was a kid. Except now, instead of roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories, I might be getting my ass roasted while I live the craziest horror story of all.

  “How can you tell me to calm down? You’ve left me here forever. I think I should get a lawyer,” I search his pale, freckled face for answers, but I can’t read him.

  “You are free to call a lawyer, if you want. However, I think you should probably put that off for the time being,” he plops down in the seat across the table from me, lying his beige folder down in front of him.

  “Why is that?” I squint my eyes, trying to zero in on some kind of tell, some facial twitch, some movement that would give me an idea of what’s going on behind his stony face.

  “That you won’t call your lawyer?” His voice is monotone. It’s driving me crazy.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, it’s simple math really. You’re going to be free to go in about five minutes. I believe your lawyer,” he checks his wristwatch with a smarmy smile, “would probably take close to another hour to get here. So, my best guess is that you’ll forgo the lawyer and just go home.” His face cracks into a smile. It’s a welcome change. Even if it is a smug smile.

  “I’m free to go?” I look down at the folder he still hasn’t cracked the cover on.

  “You sure are,” he nods.

  “What’s going to happen? Am I going to trial?” I try to figure out what the months ahead are going to bring.

  “Listen, you called it self-defense, right?” He locks his brown eyes on mine and I wordlessly confirm with a nod. “Well, around here we call it the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law. You were under attack, your life was in danger, so it was you or him. So far, between your story and your girlfriend’s account of the whole thing synchronizing perfectly and the fact that our dearly deceased has been a most wanted criminal in this state for over five years, it’s looking like an open and shut case,” he explains patiently.

  I breathe a deep sigh of relief as a weight I hadn’t even realized I was carrying, lifts from my soul. “That’s great,” I smile.

  “Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not shut yet. We just found out that the parking lot where this unfortunate event took place has security cameras installed. We’re going to examine the footage, of course, and make sure it corroborates what you’ve told us,” he looks down at his folder and then back up at me, “which we expect it will.”

  “Ok, great. So, I can go home. Like, head back to Virginia Beach tomorrow? Or, how does that work?” I fold my fingers together and try not to look too damned happy right now.

  “Yes, you can go back home tomorrow. And as to whether or not this will go to trial, I’m not really supposed to make a call on that. However, if the footage backs up your story, I can’t see this going past the pre-hearing judge. My guess is, you’ll be granted immunity.”

  “Ok, that’s great.” Try as I might, I can’t keep the smile from spreadi
ng across my face. After all we’ve been through, after all Knox put Holly through, it’s hard not to feel good about him being wiped off the earth.

  “Ok, so I’m going to need your John Hancock on some paperwork and then you’ll be free to go. We’re also discharging your girl, so you guys can leave together.”

  “Thank you so much.” I hold out my hand to Officer Houston and he gives it a firm shake.

  “No problem,” he cracks the cover on his folder and pulls out a stack of papers. “Before we get to these, I want to tell you that you should consider yourself a hero. What you did tonight was nothing short of heroic, you saved your girl and you took a good-for-nothing thug with a rap sheet longer than my arm, off our streets. You can walk out of here with your head held high,” he doesn’t blink as he stares me down.

  “Thank you,” my voice drops. The last time someone told me I was a hero for the kill shot I made, I felt like a monster. This time, under these circumstances, it feels good. “That means a lot to me,” I admit. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you,” he emphasizes, finally dropping his intense gaze to the paperwork. “Ok, I won’t take up anymore of your time than I have to. Let’s get this stuff signed and you’ll be free to walk out of here.” He smiles and pulls a pen out of his dress shirt, tossing it across the table at me.

  “Perfect,” I click the pen and grab the first sheet from the top of the stack. “Ok, where do I sign?”

  43|Holly

  My shoes squeak against the floor as I make my way down the hall. I’ve been a wreck all night. Almost being kidnapped by Knox, then watching a man who has controlled my life for years finally meet the fate I’ve dreamt about for months; it’s been a lot to process.

  I can’t wait to get out of here and see Jake again. I just want to feel his arms around me, I want him to tell me this is all over. To hear him say that it’s all going to be all right. I run my own hand down the length of my hair, thinking about how soothing it feels when he does it. It’s a poor substitute for the comfort he brings me.

  I follow the officer guiding me through the halls out to the main entrance. Waiting there, watching the door like a hawk, is my man. He looks so handsome as the worry on his face dissolves into happiness at the sight of me. That look that’s on his face right now. The one that’s about as close to pure joy as you can get without drugs or sex, that’s because of me. It’s an amazing feeling to know someone loves you that much.

  “Holly!” He closes the gap between us and wraps his thick arms around me. “Are you ok?” Concern clouds over his sky blue eyes as he looks me over.

  “I’m fine, I just want to go home,” I admit.

  “Let’s get back to the hotel,” Jake agrees, “it’s been a long night.”

  He holds out the crook of his arm, like a gentleman and I lace my own arm through it, exiting the station at his side.

  As soon as we walk through the doors, I can hear my mother, “There she is! They’re out now,” I scan the crowd of faces seeing Jake’s parents, his brother and Chelsea, and wedged amongst them are my parents.

  “How did you?” I search my mind for answers, “how did you know?” I ask my mother as she races over to my side.

  “Jake’s mother called me, we jumped in the car and drove like a bat out of hell to get here. Oh, my goodness! Look at your face!” Tears spring in Mom’s eyes. “Are you ok? She wraps her arms around me and kisses my cheek.

  “I am, I promise,” I reassure her.

  “Give the girl some room, Beverly,” Dad cuts in and my mom takes a small step back. My father steps up to Jake, toe-to-toe, and looks him straight in the eyes, he thrusts his hand out to him and gives Jake a vigorous handshake. “I can’t thank you enough. I’m so glad she never listened to us. We didn’t take it seriously enough when you guys said she was in danger,” my father rambles, “but you were right. You saved my little girl.” Dad’s voice cracks and his eyes well up, “Thank you.”

  “I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Jake looks over at me. I know he’s not lying. Jake has told me from the beginning that he would always keep me safe. Tonight, he proved exactly to what lengths he’ll go to in order to keep his word.

  “I’m so happy you’re ok,” Mom sobs and my father holds her tight as her tears spill down onto his shirt. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to you,” she wails.

  “Shhh, she’s ok. You don’t need to think about that,” Dad soothes her.

  Jake’s family surrounds him, telling him how proud they are of him and his mother is bawling just as hard as mine is. It’s a lot to try to come to terms with. If the trigger had been pulled while Knox still had control of the gun, our mothers would be crying their eyes out for a very different reason right now.

  Jake pulls away from his family, “I’m sorry guys, I gotta do something right now. It can’t wait,” he explains and walks over to me. He pulls me away from my parents, firmly planting a hand on each of my shoulders and looks down into my eyes. God, those eyes. I could get lost in the hypnotic blue forever.

  I slap both my hands over my mouth, wincing with the pain of my forgotten split lip, but right now, I don’t give a shit about that. Jake slides down, settling on one knee in front of my and our families collectively gasp along with me.

  “Holly, never has it been clearer what I want to do with my life, than right now. Tonight, I almost lost you,” he looks down and shakes his head and I place my hand softly on his shoulder. Jake clears his throat and presses on, “I could’ve lost you, but I didn’t. I know that I never want to spend another day of my entire life without you in it. I don’t have a ring to give you right now, but I still want to humbly ask you, will you be my wife?”

  “Here, borrow mine,” Chelsea slides her engagement ring off her finger, putting her wedding ring back in place. She holds it out to Jake and he grasps the gold band with the extravagant diamond, holding it up to me.

  “Thank you, Chelsea,” his voice is so full of emotion, it’s amazing he can talk. It’s more than I can say for myself. My words won’t even squeak out past my tight vocal chords.

  I nod my head as tears stream down my face and hold out my trembling hand to him. “Y-yes,” I somehow make the word fall out of my mouth.

  Jake slides Chelsea’s ring onto my finger and stands back up, sliding his arms around me, he dips me back dramatically and softly covers my swollen lip with a kiss. I can hear our families clapping around us as I melt into his strong arms. I can’t imagine a more intense, or a more perfect proposal. Jake is the only man I’ve ever truly loved, and now I get to show him that for the rest of our lives. This feels like a dream, only better.

  It’s a dream come true.

  44|Jake

  “Let’s get cleaned up,” I walk into the hotel bathroom and run the water into the tub. I mess around with the taps until the water is just right, then search through the array of mini soaps and bottles on a little platter by the sink. I don’t even know what half of these things are. What the hell is a body butter? I finally spot the bubble bath and squeeze the entire pearly goop into the bath, swishing it around until it foams up.

  “Sounds great, are you gonna join me?” Holly yells from the other room.

  “Of course.”

  She appears in the doorway with a smile that could light up the night’s sky. I don’t have a chance to utter a word, I can’t stop studying every inch of her. My gaze slides down to the sparkling ring on her finger. She’s mine. The thought gives me a jolt of pride and I stand a little taller. This amazing woman is all mine.

  “Get over here,” I reach my hand out to her and she grasps it with her dainty fingers. Pulling her into me, I lean over her and watch as she flutters her eyes closed, waiting for my kiss. I drag my thumb down the side of her face and lace my fingers through the back of her hair, bringing her lips to mine. I’m careful not to hurt her split lip, the last injury she will ever suffer at the hands of that fucking piece of shit, Knox. May he burn in hell.


  I trail quick kisses across her jawbone and over to her ear. Holly moans loudly as I pull her soft earlobe into my mouth and flicker it lightly with my tongue.

  I feel her body surrender to me, relaxing in my arms as she tilts her head toward my mouth. I breathe against her sensitive neck, letting the hot air billow around her skin and whisper in her ear, “I love you.”

  “Mmm, I love you too,” she murmurs.

  “Turn around,” I demand. She does what I ask, she’s my good girl. I slide the zipper on the back of her gown down until it stops just above her ass. The dress peels open, revealing her creamy skin to me. I glide my fingers under the edges, guiding them over her shoulders and helping them down over her arms until her dress is barely clinging to her hips like a hula skirt. Holly shakes her plump ass and the illusion is shattered as the dress crumples at her feet.

  I can’t move, I’m transfixed by my woman, my fiancée, standing before me like a goddess. She gasps and quickly goes over to the tub, twisting the taps until the water is nothing more than a couple of drops falling into the full bath.

  “You get in first,” I tell her.

  She nods. I hold her hand as she gracefully steps into the water. I watch as she eases down into the tub, sliding beneath the rainbow-colored bubbles. She lays back and flutters her eyes closed as she lets the stress of the last few hours soak away.

  I can’t take my eyes off of her. She’s still my beautiful contradiction. In moments like this, she looks so innocent. So untouched by the terrible pain that she’s suffered. It amazes me that someone as tiny and as sweet as Holly has grieved the losses she has and endured the torture she’s been subjected to.

  Never again. She’s mine now and I’ll do everything I can to give her the life she’s never had. The life she truly deserves. One filled with love, happiness, and pleasure.

  “You’re safe now, just like I promised,” I look down at her.