Defending Everly (Mountain Mercenaries, #5)(84)

She couldn’t fault him, though, because that was her plan too, although it would be Tylor going over the side.

Swallowing her fear and trying not to look completely freaked out, Everly slowly went to stand where he pointed. The ground was rocky, and she took one glance over her shoulder before quickly turning her attention back to Tylor and Elise. The ground fell away about four feet from where she was standing. There were large boulders and scrub brush all the way down the slope. At the bottom was a small stream filled with more large rocks and forest debris. It was unlikely that she’d survive if Tylor managed to catch her off guard and push her over. But it was equally as unlikely that he would survive a fall. She kept that thought in her head.

Tylor twisted Elise and unlocked the handcuffs around her wrists. He then turned her to face him, and Everly almost had a heart attack when he reached for her hands once again. But she breathed out a sigh of relief when he merely cuffed her sister’s hands together in front of her.

For a terrifying second, she’d thought he was going to cuff his own wrist to Elise’s. That would’ve been a disaster.

“Okay, you can start,” Tylor said, turning to look at Everly.

She had no idea what she was supposed to say. She’d only been to one wedding in her life, and she hadn’t really paid much attention to the priest.

“I’m assuming you want me to sign as I’m talking?” she asked, trying to stall for time.

“Of course,” Tylor said. “My Elise needs to know what’s going on. Eventually I’ll teach her our own special set of signs that only we understand.”

Everly cleared her throat and spoke slowly as she signed. It was difficult to sign something different from what she was saying, but she did her best.

“We are gathered here today to witness the joining of this man and woman.”

This is it. When I say, you turn and run as fast as you can.

“Marriage is a promise between two people who want to spend their lives together.”

I have to finish this farce of a wedding, but I’m not going to let him touch you again.

“It allows two people to see each other through the trials and tribulations in their lives, as well as celebrate the happy times.”

It’ll be hard to run with those cuffs on, but you can do it. If you hear him behind you, hide.

Do not come out, no matter what. I’ll find you.

“To make a relationship work, it takes trust and dedication.”

I love you. More than you’ll ever know.

“You’re taking too long!” Tylor complained. “Hurry up and get to the good part!”

Swallowing, Everly nodded and looked at her sister. “Do you take this man to be your husband, to love and cherish, in sickness and health, until death do you part?”

It’s almost time. No matter what happens, remember that I love you. Now, look at him and nod.

Feeling sick, Everly watched as her sister bravely looked up at Tylor and nodded.

He beamed. “Now me,” he demanded.

“Do you take this woman to be your wife, to love and cherish, in sickness and health, until death do you part?”

Everly knew Elise was watching her closely. When he leans down to kiss you, I’m going to kick him in the balls. That’s your cue. You run like hell, and don’t look back.

Elise was crying now, but Everly focused on her resolve and hate for Tylor.

“Say the rest!” Tylor insisted after he’d agreed enthusiastically to his part of the vows.

“You may now kiss the bride,” Everly said dutifully.

Tylor smiled and leaned down to kiss Elise and seal their “marriage vows.”

Everly took a deep breath, and even as her foot came up, she signed, Now! Run!

Elise spun on her heels and tore out of the clearing. She disappeared behind a bunch of trees, and Everly could hear her crashing and breaking tree limbs as she fled.

Tylor howled in pain and frustration. He’d fallen to his knees when Everly had kicked him, but in seconds he was up and reaching for her.

“Time to die, bitch!” he said in a voice she hadn’t heard before. It was hard and dark, and for a split second, Everly thought he resembled a demon from one of the TV shows she liked to watch.

He lunged at her, and it took all of Everly’s strength to grab hold of his wrist and prevent him from breaking all the bones in her face.

“She’s mine! You just married us! She’ll never get away from me! She’s Elise Tuttle now.

Mine! Once you’re dead, I’ll find her, and we’ll live happily ever after!”

“Not a chance in hell,” Everly muttered as she desperately fought to prevent his hands from getting around her throat, to no avail. His pupils were dilated, and his arms shook, probably from the adrenaline coursing through his body. He was trying to both choke her and push her backward at the same time.

Right toward the cliff.

One hand let go of her throat, and she gasped in a breath of air.

But she hadn’t been prepared for his fist to fly back, then slam into the side of her head.

It hurt like a bitch, but Everly ducked beneath his arm and stepped away from the drop-off. But he was right there. His fists kept coming at her, some making contact and others missing completely.

Everly used her knowledge of self-defense to land her own blows, but they didn’t seem to faze him in the least.