Promise

Mom so distressed.

'Yes! What do I do ?' I cried.

'I think you know,' she whispered.

'How much time do I have?'

'I don't know. Tonight. Maybe tomorrow.'

' NO! '

I bolted for my room. Yes, I know what to do. I dressed quickly in what I knew he liked, just in case it made a difference—the green blouse Mom gave me for Christmas and a denim mini skirt. I threw my hair in a quick twist to get it out of my face and emptied my school bag on my bed, scattering papers and pens everywhere. I threw the framed poem and his note into the bag. I tucked my ring into my hip pocket. I stood in the door and glanced around, trying to think if there was anything else that might help. My eyes landed on the manuscript I'd just printed. I'd promised Mom first read. She'll understand. I grabbed it, slipped it into a folder and shoved it in the bag. I flew out of my room.

Mom waited at the door for me. 'I drive faster,' she said.

'I can't be there without a car, Mom, just in case…'

'I'll leave it.'

She waved off the look I gave her.

'I'll get home fine. Don't worry,' she said.

She raced along the surface streets. It didn't feel fast enough. I tried to think of what I'd say or do but nothing came to mind. We turned into his driveway in two minutes. I'd have to wing it.

'You can do this, honey,' Mom said. She pecked me on the forehead and then she was gone.

' Tristan! ' I cried from the driveway. I rushed up the stairs to the dining room door and banged on it. ' Tristan! '

I pressed my face against the glass to look inside. It looked empty except for some boxes and furniture piled at the far end of the living room. He hasn't left. Yet . But he never came to the door and I wondered if he was even home. I could see a light from the hallway, either the office or the gym. I pressed my ear to the glass and heard blaring music. He'll never hear me over that! Damn, damn, damn!

I ran back down the stairs to the keypad by the garage door. I had no idea what the code was and knew it was hopeless. Unable to keep still, pacing the driveway, I tried to think how he would think. It wouldn't be his birth date. He ignored that date. But maybe… Without anything to lose, I tried my birth date. Holy crap! It worked! The door right next to me started lifting. As soon as I was able, I ducked underneath it and hit the button to close it. I ran up the stairs to the house.

'TRI—'

His name lodged in my throat. A steel vise grabbed me by the neck and pinned me to the wall two feet off the floor. I couldn't breathe, couldn't even struggle. The bag fell from my hand. I heard the glass frame break. My heart raced even harder.

' Alexis ?' The lovely voice twisted in horror.

Just as my vision started to blur around the edges again, I saw Tristan step back, his hand dropping from my neck. Then I was free and fell to the floor. My lungs seized to pull in air.

'Tri…stan…' I gasped, kneeling on all fours.

'What are you doing here?' he growled. 'I almost killed you.'

'I'm…sorry…I…banged…on the…door.' I inhaled as deeply as I could, the air tearing at my throat like razor-blades. 'You couldn't hear me.'

'What are you doing here?' he growled again. Fire blazed in his eyes.

I scrambled to my feet.

'I…I came to stop you.' My voice sounded small and weak with fear.

'Stop me from what?' His tone was unfamiliar. I didn't like it at all. He folded his arms across his chest.

'From wherever you're going.' My voice grew stronger. He won't hurt me…not on purpose anyway.

'It's too late,' he growled angrily.

'But you're still here!'

'You've made your feelings clear, Alexis. I have nothing to stay for.'

'But I'm here! I'm here for you !'

He glared at me.

'Where are you going?' I could hear the edge in my voice, the anger rising. I'd need that anger if I had to protect myself.

'Exactly where you told me to. Where I came from! '

' NO! You said you'd never go back!' I lifted my chin and narrowed my eyes, daring him to defy his own words.

'I've been wrong all along. I failed with you. I failed at this life. It's where I belong.'

'But you didn't fail with me. I'm here, Tristan. I'm here for you!'

He glowered at me. ' They sent you, didn't they?'

'No! I'm here for us ! I love you! And I know you love me, too! And that means you did not fail at this life! You belong with me . Stay for me .' I lost the edge as tears burned my eyes.

'How can you say that? You don't even trust me, Alexis. You can't love me!'

'But I do , Tristan. I love you! I trust you! You are everything to me.' I stared at him as he glared back with those fiery eyes. Oh, God, please help me. I can't lose him! I knelt by my bag and pulled the broken frame out. I held it out to him. 'Here! This comes from my heart. It still holds true. It always will .'

He ignored it.

I put it on the floor and pulled the note out and waved it. 'Your letter! I cried over it for days. You said you wanted me back. I'm here!'

No reaction. I pled my love to a boulder.

' Please , Tristan,' I begged. 'Please listen to me.'

I wiped the tears out of my eyes with the heel of my palm. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't budge. I pulled the manuscript out of the bag and held the folder open.

'My novel. I want you to be the first to read it, Tristan.'

I thought I saw a slight change in his eyes. The fire dimmed just a bit. I stood up and held the manuscript at him, but he didn't take it.

' Please . I've shared it with no one else. I want you to be the first.'

He didn't budge. I tossed it on a side table standing next to the three remaining kitchen chairs, waiting to be hauled onto a moving truck. His eyes followed the folder, then flew back to me. I took a deep breath, trying to think of what to do next. I fished the ring out of my pocket and held it up.

'I will keep this forever, but only when you put it back on my finger.'

He still didn't move, but his eyes softened.

'I want to marry you, Tristan. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Forever with you. You and me together. You can't leave me!'

I put the ring on the manuscript and pulled a chair over in front of him. I stepped up on it so I could look directly into his eyes. The flames still flickered, still bright, but I'd seen worse. I touched his cheek and flinched from the powerful electric pulse, but I didn't let it stop me. I put my hands on each side of his face. He stood completely still. I looked deeply into his eyes, noticing the flames dimming more.

' I love you, Tristan Knight. You will not leave me!'

Still no reaction except that slight change in the eyes. Give him everything . I knew it was risky, with that fire still burning, but I didn't know what else to do. I'd already offered him everything I had. The book had softened him and I knew there was one last thing he wanted. One more way to show him I could give him all of me. I unbuttoned my blouse and let it fall to the floor. I scooted my skirt down my legs and stepped out of it. I unhooked my bra and let it fall, then slid my panties off. I stood naked on the chair right in front of him and held my arms out wide.

'You have all of me now. I am all yours!'

His eyes traveled up and down my body.

'You're being really stupid,' he growled. His hand twitched. Finally, a reaction . 'I could kill you right