Our mouths part harshly and he demands, “I need you to listen to me Jovi and do exactly what I say.” Instantly I nod. “You're gonna get in one of these cars and drive off the property.”

Baffled I barely manage to question, “What?”

“Straight back. You're gonna get in it and drive straight back-”

“I can't drive that well!”

“It doesn't matter, baby.” Suddenly there's a sound like we're no longer alone. In a lower voice he says, “The cops will meet you before you get too far.”

“Why can't I just run?”

“It's faster and safer for you to drive. Now stop arguing with me,” he demands. “Take the Aston Martin-”

“The what?”

“The black one on the end, on the left side.”

I don't get another chance to object before shots start flying forcing my body down to the ground.

In a whisper I plead, “Merrick!”

“Please go...”

“Come with me.” There's a ping sound close by. “Please!”

“Just go baby! I'll be right behind.”

“But-”

Sharply he says, “Go!”

Not wanting to leave him, but not wanting to risk defying him any longer, I rush towards the end of the garage staying low, to avoid the shots that are still bouncing around. There's grumbles and muffled talks between the firing. Terrified I keep moving until I slide into the black car whose keys are thankfully in the ignition.

On a deep breath I hear Merrick's voice coaching me in my head. Reminding me to listen to her. To be one with her.

(Yeah not the best time for zen shit, but it's the only way I'm gonna make it out of this unless you're driving!)

I get the car started and pull out, getting one final glance at Merrick who is crouched behind a black car, firing shots at two men who are firing at him. Shifting gears I accelerate to a speed that moves me faster, but doesn't break the vehicle. Within seconds I see police cars and sirens rushing towards me. As my heart does it's best to settle back down in my chest, I slam on the breaks, jamming gears, but eventually getting it to stop.

(Let's not worry about me messing up the tie man's car right now!)

Jumping out of the parked car, I'm thankful the SUV that stops to help me contains the only other man in my life I love.

“Dad!”

“Jo'!” He shouts and pulls me firmly into his arms. “Thank God...Thank God.”

“Dad.” I pull back and look at the direction the police cars are headed. “Merrick's in there! We have to help get him out! We have to-” My words are cut short by the explosion that veers the cars that were traveling towards the building. Instantly a sharp scream shoots from me, “No!”

As if my words are gasoline for the fire, another explosion occurs, this one reaching the other part of the house we escaped from. Flames consume the mansion like a rabid, starving, wild animal.

“No!” Shaking my head I launch myself towards it, being grasped quickly by my father. “No! NO!”

“Jovi!” He screams pulling me back towards him.

“No!”

“Jovi!”

“Merrick...” I cry breathlessly. The flames continue licking the structures clean in front of me, no end to it's feast in sight. “Oh my God...Merrick...”

Watching the house burn to the ground and the love of my life die causes my body to give out from underneath me.

(This. Can't. Be. Real.)

Jovi

The paramedic continues checking my vitals while the officer tries to question me.

(Not real sure how long he's been trying. Not sure of much. Part of me hopes that fire was the last of that drug I was slipped wearing off. I mean...it's gotta be right?)

“Now, I know this is hard for you, Miss Carter,” the officer states as my father folds his arms across his chest. “But we really should discuss this information while it's fresh.”

“It can wait,” my father insists rubbing my shoulder. “She needs a minute.”

“I understand that Commissioner but-”

“No buts.”

“Was there...did that fire...” I whisper out as the paramedic now bandages a cut, rambling on at me about something.

(I don't fucking care what he has to say. I'm clearly alive. I need to know...I need to make sure Merrick is.)

“Was that real? Was that explosion real?”

“Yes,” the officer who was questioning me comments.

Feeling tears burn my eyes, I shut them, the air in my lungs abandoning me.

(God I can't breathe. I can't breathe.)

“Jovi,” my father's voice softly states. “Jovi, princess...Can you hear me?”

“She really needs to go to the hospital to be checked out,” the EMT states. “Too many of her vitals are unstable. Shock. Trauma. If she doesn't get them steady, things could get much worse.” His question turns to me. “Have you taken anything?”

“Um...” I sniffle and try to open my eyes. Once they are I look at him. “The tie man mentioned keeping me on something while I've been there.”

He nods and says to my father. “We need to get her to the hospital. Now.”

“Yes,” he agrees crawling into the back of the ambulance as they try to help me further in.

The officer objects, “But the questions-”

“Can wait or you can lose your badge,” my father firmly declares. “Now step the hell back.”

Doing as he was commanded the man steps away moments before I'm lowered onto my back, tears pouring out of me.

(He's gone...he's really gone. My fiance. My whole world. He's gone. And for what? Trying to save me? This is my fault....We should've been in that car together. I should've fought harder! I should've died in that explosion with him!)

Uncontrollably, I start to hysterically cry and flail around, the words from the EMT still not registering.

(Fuck him! Fuck this! All of this! I just want Merrick!  I just want..)

There's an unexpected vibration through my system that shuts my eyes and my brain down.

Jovi

The steady beeping sound causes me to groan.

(Most obnoxious text message ringer ever. Huh? What do you mean it's not a text message. Then what is it?)

Opening my eyes, I immediately squint at the terrible lighting. As my eyes struggle to adjust, I'm thankful to see my dad and Nadie holding hands as they wait beside my bed.

(Tragedy unites them again. Why is it some people can only find love when there's death? Oh no...death...)

“Merrick!” I call out shooting up.

“Calm down,” Nadie rushes to me, helping to ease my body back against the pillows. “You have to remain calm, Jo'.”

“But Merrick!”

“Is gone, Jovi.” my father assures in a quiet tone. Standing he joins Nadie's side and places a hand on top of mine. “The fire was real. The explosion was real. Losing him was real.”

The callous way he states the facts enrages me. Snatching my hand away from him, I shake my head. “He could've survived.”

“He didn't.”

“How do you know?” I bite back as my eyes that already feel puffy, swell with tears. “How do you know that?”

“I had them check,” he assures me. “I had them check for you.”

My jaw starts to shake as the idea of breathing on my own becomes a foreign concept. Falling backwards onto the pillow. I begin to let the tears pour out of me in silence.

(I don't know what to say...)

Nadie sniffles and finds my hand again. “We're glad you're safe Jo'. We're glad he brought you back to us.”

Without saying anything I continue to cry helplessly.

“We were so scared,” Nadie keeps talking, her thumb stroking the back of my hand. “We're glad you're finally okay.”

“I'm not okay,” I whisper back. Shaking my head profusely I let the tears roll. Shock. Anger. Sadness. All three seem to cycle through me at such a rapid rate I don't know which to hold on to. “I'm nowhere near fucking okay.”

“The doctor will be in shortly to discuss what your body has been through,” Nadie continues as I hadn't said what I did. “What you will need to do to get it back to normal. Trauma counseling-”