For her sake as much as his, I pray that she's wrong about that.

There's a small knock on the door before Hayli joins us, a frightened expression on her face. Immediately I rush over and she throws herself into my arms. A small sigh comes out of me.

Not at all like hugging my girl, but it is like having a small piece of her back with me. This is better than nothing. Besides if I had to be responsible for Hayli dying too I...I don't know what I would do with myself. At least I can tell Jovi that I saved her best friend. Maybe that'll help her forgive me.

“I'm scared, Merrick,” she whispers in my ear.

“Me too.”

We stay embraced for another moment before she pulls back and slugs me in the shoulder. “Ouch!”

“That's for getting me into this shit!”

Knox giggles and leans back on her palms. “I knew I liked you.”

One Knox is enough. We don't really need two of them.

Unsure of what else to say I sigh, “I'm sorry.”

“Don't be sorry.” She folds her arms across her chest. “Be smart.”

“I will be.”

“Be quick.”

“You better fucking believe it.”

Stabbing me in the chest with her pointed finger she demands, “Be the one that brings my best friend back.”

“At any cost,” I firmly assure her.

“Good, Romeo,” Hayli whispers before flopping down on the bed next to Knox. “I need Jovi.”

“I need her too.”

In a defeated tone she asks, “So what's next?”

That's a good question. That's a damn good question.

Jovi

Seeing his face immediately makes me smile. The playful smile I've fallen head over heels in love with is not one I'm sure I could ever live without. Merrick's hand reaches for me through the open window. As soon as I reach for it, there's a burning sensation in my back. The high pitched ringing in my ears is enough to drop me to my knees, but the throbbing pain is what floors me. My eyes drop to the floor where there's a dark red puddle. My blood? That's gotta be my blood. Who else's blood would it be? I take another two breaths before all goes black.

Terrified I shoot up, inhaling sharply, desperate to get as much air in my lungs as possible.

Thank God that was just a dream. It was right?

I touch my chest then my back, the thin string around my wrist wiggling around. While I'm double checking for wounds, a gorgeous female with a dark braid strolls in the room breakfast in her hands again.

Who is she? Do I know her?

“Have we met?”

“Yes, Jovi. I'm Melody,” she announces lowering the tray beside me.

Shit...why don't I remember?

“Why am I here?”

Kindly she starts to unroll my silverware. “You were taken.”

“Taken?!”

“Yes. Are you hungry?”

My eyes wander to the fresh fruit and buttered toast. “I feel like I already ate.”

“Yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” I shriek.

She nods. “The drugs are strong. You barely stir.”

“D-D-Drugs?” my voice is barely able to stutter out.              “I'm being given drugs!”

“Yes,” Melody softly answers. “Non-addictive sedatives mostly. It's to keep you the least coherent as possible and your memory unclear. You're not supposed to remember anything you see or hear here.”

“How?” I whisper out confused. “How am I taking them?”

Melody bites her bottom lip and nudges the glass forward. “Drink your juice last...”

At least she doesn't seem to be heartless or terrifying. Maybe she's a prisoner all on her own. See that scar by her collarbone? Maybe...just maybe there's a story there.

Suddenly we're no longer alone. A man who looks like he might be in charge of a big business enters the room that is starting to feel like a shoe box rather than a room. Certain if I've met Melody before that I've met him, I strangle my brain to recall his name.

Help me!

The man hums, “That'll be all Melody. Miss Carter, it is time for your check in with your beloved.”

Excited I scoot forward, my attention grabbed by my change of clothes.

Did I...did I change? Who changed me? How drugged up am I? Holy shit...I don't think I can get any more terrified.

“Madden negotiated for proof of life checks. However, if I get wind of you trying to hint him into your location, you will not like the results. Am I clear?”

Cautiously I nod, “Yes.”

“Good,” he hums cheerfully. Turning to the opposite direction of the door, he turns on a T.V. and I see something that I needed to.

“Merrick!” I scream and reach a hand out for him.

“Baby!” He screams back moving for the screen. “I'm so sorry, baby! For everything.”

Sniffling away the tears that have started to form I shake my head. “It's okay.”

It really is. No. I mean, it's not his fault I'm here right? Wait. Wait. What do you mean it it is. He's...wait, he's who? No...how could...How? Uh-huh. Uh-huh. That's a good point. Stealing things and all the other criminal bullshit he does is not okay, but you're right. That's not who he is any more. Did someone tell me Merrick wanted out of his? That he was trying to get out?  That he wanted to be done. No, it doesn't fix everything, but that damn sure counts for a lot.

“I never meant to hurt you,” he whimpers, tears in his own voice. “I...I...I just...this was supposed to be the end of it all. This whole deal was supposed to get us a future together...not ruin a chance at one.”

A sniffle comes out of me. “You just...you focus on getting me out of this okay? I'll yell at you later for the rest.”

The short attempt at humor causes him to try to smile. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Good, because I promise to spend the rest of our lives making this up to you baby. Every day and every night. I love you. I love you so much Jovi Carter McCoy.”

My lip trembles at my future name.

You're damn right I still wanna marry him! How could I not? No one's perfect. This is...this is just something that if I live through we have to work through. Right. When I live through it. Don't think there won't be hell to pay or that it'll be a quick fix, but there will be a fix. Come on, he's my soul mate. How could I not try to work shit out?

“I love you too.”

“Isn't that just beautiful,” the man, whose name I think starts with the letter D interrupts our talk. “You got your proof of life McCoy. I want my package. Tick-tock.”

Neither of us are allowed another word. He turns off the screen and any flicker of hope I had is smothered away by the darkness of it.

“Eat. Sleep. See you tomorrow,” he declares exiting the room.

The door shuts behind him and I stare at the food in front of me. Instead of eating it, like I know I'm expected, I push it to the side and begin to bawl uncontrollably.

I'm scared. So fucking scared. What if I never see him again? Or Nadie? Or my dad? What if I die in this room? This poorly Hawaiian theme decorated abomination of a room. What if my whole life is over? Tell me I'll be fine. Tell me that you have faith he'll rescue me. Tell me...tell me you think I'll be okay.

Merrick

Today was supposed to be our wedding day. Our goddamn wedding day. We were supposed to have said vows earlier and right now we should be laying together in a hotel suite. She should be moaning my name and I should be whispering her new one. The one we should be sharing.

Scrubbing my face I lean back against the couch. “I'm fucking going out of my mind.”

“That makes two of us,” Hayli sighs from beside Daniel. “I've never been stuck in the house this long.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Drew says from the kitchen table across from Destin who's typing away furiously on his computer.