Flawless Prize

Olivia manages to get out from Caleb, slamming his head against the desk. He reels back, dazed. “This is all your fault!” she’s screaming, hitting him again, straddling him there on the floor. “We could have had everything! You’re just like them!”

Then she lifts the gun with both hands, pointing it directly at him.

I panic.

I lunge for the desk, grabbing the letter opener and plunging it down into her back with everything I have. Olivia lets out a blood-curdling scream, dropping the gun as she reels back in pain. Caleb lunges for it, and then he has it trained on her.

“It’s over, Olivia,” he swears, waving it determinedly. “Don’t you fucking move.”

Olivia sinks back on her heels, like all the fight’s suddenly gone out of her.

“Caleb?” I cry.

“I’m OK, baby,” he gives me a smile, even through the bloodstains. “Everything’s OK.”

My knees go weak, and I sink to the ground beside him. “Thank God,” I sob. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“Never.” Caleb gives me a fierce look. “I’m too goddamn stubborn to leave you alone.”

We help each other to our feet, bloody and bruised. I can’t believe what just happened—or that he’s OK.

And as for Olivia…

“You stabbed me.” Olivia rolls over, clutching her shoulder. She looks at me in disbelief, blood blooming from her blouse.

“You’ll live.” I say.

“Not that you deserve it.” Caleb adds as he pulls me into a crushing hug.

I hear voices down the hall, and the thunder of footsteps.

It’s the cops.

Caleb hugs me close as they flood into the room, cuffing Olivia and securing the gun. “Everything’s all right,” he murmurs, holding me. “It’s over now. It’s all OK.”