apart.
Forever and ever like moonlight and shadows,
Forever together like sunshine and rain,
I lo-o-ve you
Yes, forever and ever
Forever together
I lo-o-ve yo-u!
Look up in the sky to the star shining brightest
That’s where I’ll watch each night over you
Until you’re back in my arms once again
This song that I sing is forever for you
Forever and ever
Forever together
I lo-o-ve you.
I lo-o-ve you.
Not wanting the magical night to end, they walked hand in hand down the beach. Barefoot and with Jesse’s pant legs rolled up like the party goers, they waded in the surf letting it play around their ankles. As town life and streetlights slipped away, they moved from the water to the sandy beach with only the moonlight to guide them. Their night was perfect, their world was perfect, their future was perfect. They did have it all.
They stopped and kissed.
An unease crept up the back of Jesse’s neck. He broke the kiss and glanced around. Two forms materialized from behind a palm tree up ahead. He tried to shake the feeling, but it intensified as the figures moved closer. People shared the beach, he tried to reason, but his gut told him this was different.
“Come on, Olivia.” He didn’t need to urge. She had sensed the change in the atmosphere and was already moving in the direction of town, her hand firmly gripping his.
From behind them, they heard a craggy voice. “Hey Princess. I remember you from the party. You’re Travis’ girl so what are you doing out here with this piece of trash?”
A second voice joined in. “Maybe she’s being held against her will. Looks like she needs us to rescue her.” They were getting closer.
Jesse turned and called back to them. “You’re drunk. Just move on.”
They laughed, moving up quickly. “You’re the one going to move on, pal.”
“Jesse,” Olivia whispered. “That’s Bull.” Her fear was evident, and the urgency in her voice hurried their steps. Sand kicked up around them as Jesse searched for lights from town. The problem was, it was late. And they were alone.
“Slow down, Princess. We just want to talk.”
“Travis isn’t going to like this!” she yelled at him.
“You’re right. He told me not to mess with you. He said you belonged to him. So, I’m just going to persuade your boyfriend here to get lost.”
Olivia looked over her shoulder and shouted back at him, “I’m going to report this to the police if you don’t leave us alone.” She sounded brave but her hand was quaking in Jesse’s.
Jesse was trying to keep cool hoping it would play out and be over by the time they got back to town. He knew he could hold his own in most cases, but Bull was a hulking figure, and he had a buddy. They’d been drinking, and that was always a bad combination.
“Call the cops, we don’t care. Travis’ dad owns the cops here.” Bull kicked over a beach trashcan as he sailed past it. The sound made Olivia jump and she cast a hopeless look to Jesse.
“We’ll be okay,” he whispered. “We just need to get to town where there are people.”
Before they could get farther, the two guys rushed them.
“Get lost,” Bull goaded Jesse giving his shoulder a shove.
Jesse turned with his fists clenched.
The other guy rolled onto his toes, clearly a fighting posture.
“Hold her,” Bull said. “We don’t want anything bad to happen to her.”
The guy grabbed Olivia’s arms from behind and she yelped.
Jesse flew toward them but was stopped by Bull’s meaty grip. He jerked him back and readied for the first blow.
The other guy laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll take real good care of her.” He pulled her tight against him, letting go with one hand and encircling her torso. Then, he let go with the other hand and brought his arm around her, pinning her arms against her sides.
“Let me go,” she screamed and tried to kick free.
“Feisty. I like that in a woman.” The guy said while Jesse watched helplessly. He was in Bull’s grip and couldn’t get free yet. He’d have to wait for the best moment—when he could throw them off their game and get Livi out of there safely.
Olivia’s struggles only encouraged the guy holding her. He wrestled her around to face him then pressed his drunken mouth over hers.
Jesse exploded toward them, fists flying at the guy and ignoring Bull who’d been holding him. But as soon as he got close, he was propelled back. Bull was grunting and yelling at him, and Jesse felt something solid connect