She Signed My Death For His Love
Id just managed to loop the safety line around his waist when the tension above snapped.
The rope went slack, and we both slammed hard against the jagged, sandy bottom.
My eyes shot up. Standing at the rim, under the blazing Nevada sun, was my wife. Vivian Shaw.
She was looking down at us, holding a wicked-looking utility knife, the rope ends dangling beside her.
Her high school sweetheart, Rhys Beckett, laugheda sharp, triumphant sound that echoed off the rock face.
Do it! he screamed.
Black-suited security guards instantly swarmed the rim, shoveling loose, silty earth and sand into the deep excavation. It wasn't just dirt; it was the kind of quick-clogging loam that could swallow a man whole. They were trying to bury us alive.
I grabbed the two-way radio clipped to my belt. Vivian! Its me and your brother down here!
Vivian scoffed, her voice crackling over the tiny speaker, devoid of warmth. Three years ago, during the quake, you put your rescue work before Rhys's brother. You left him trapped in the rubble for five days, remember? Its time to pay the debt, Ethan Cole.
Beside her, Rhys instantly squeezed out a tear. Vivianthank you. My brothers death is finally avenged.
The sand was already past my ankles. I tore at my throat, yelling into the radio. Vivian! This is your actual brother! Liam is down here!
1
A harsh, cold laugh was the only response. Youll say anything to survive, wont you, Ethan Cole? she continued. My brother and his girlfriend are at Disneyland today. I looked up their itinerary last night. Next time you lie, write a better script.
Rhyss voice cut in, low and venomous. Ethan, what goes around comes around. Youll die the exact way you killed my brother, right here, together!
I tried to pull back from my brother-in-law, Liam, hoping to give Vivian a better view of him. Liam had been trapped down here for over twenty-four hours, and his face was already cut and bruised.
But it was too late. He was unrecognizable.
Vivian, you will regret this! I spat, then immediately clicked the radio off. There was no time for useless pleas. If we didn't get out before the sand reached our chest, we were dead.
Liam was panting, clutching my hand, his grip terrified. Ethan, whats wrong with her? She cant actually want to kill meIm her little brother! His voice finally cracked, dissolving into sobs.
My heart ached, but I couldn't stop. Every second of hesitation meant certain death for both of us.
The sand crept higher, now covering our ankles.
Hold on tight. Dont let go! I said, my voice strained.
I looped a secondary line around both our waists, linking us together, then pulled a small, tactical shovel from my pack. I started digging footholds into the sandy wall, hoping to use my decade of mountain-climbing experience to claw our way out.
The next second, a softball-sized rock whizzed past my ear, striking the wall with a sickening thud.
Liam screamed up, his voice raw. Vivian! Are you crazy? What are you doing? Why are you throwing rocks at your husband?
I pressed a cloth to my ear to stem the blood flow.
Vivians voice boomed through a megaphone, completely arrogant. Still running your mouth when youre about to die? Youre really asking for it!
A storm of rocks followed, forcing us to stop digging and huddle against the wall. The quicksand-loam was building fast, swallowing my shins completely.
Suddenly, the guards stopped shoveling. A small package was tossed into the pit.
I ripped it open. Inside was a phone on a video callVeronica Shaw, Vivians older sister, was on the lineand a sealed folder.
You can surrender now, Vivians voice returned to the radio. Agree to the terms in that document, and Ill have you pulled out immediately.
I flipped open the folder, my eyes scanning the pages. I needed to know what could possibly drive her to this calculated murder.
I went numb.
The document was a confession: I was to take the fall for the corporate structural collapse during the earthquake, confessing that my negligence had led to Rhyss brothers death and the resulting casualties.
I was climbing a mountain on the other side of the country that day. Vivian had been left in charge of the construction project. It was her corner-cutting that led to the deaths.
Now, she wanted me to be her scapegoat, sign away my life to prison, and transfer all my company shares to Rhys.
Liam read the document over my shoulder, his face a mask of rage. He tore the paper into shreds. Vivian Shaw, you despicable bitch!
He snatched the phone, holding it up to the camera, tears streaming down his face. Vivian! Open your eyes! Its me, your brother! You promised to take care of me forever! Get down here and save me! I wont let Ethan sign that!
A wave of bitter sadness washed over me. In the five years of my marriage, Liam and I had become closer than brothers. He was the only good part of this family.
Vivian spat into the radio. You look like a freak show and youre trying to impersonate my brother? Pathetic. My brother is tall and handsome. Youre a wreck, and you cant compare. She paused. Ethan Cole, my patience is gone. Sign it, or you die!
The guards began shoveling with renewed force. A set of keys, mixed in the dirt, sliced open Liams arm.
Make a decision! Next time, its a knife!
Liam!
I tore off a piece of my shirt and wrapped the gash, then glared up at my wife.
Do you really think this plan is flawless? I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
Vivian chuckled. And if it is? Nobody can save you now.
I pointed to Rhys, standing smugly next to her. Someones borrowing your rage to settle their score. You think youre a warrior fighting for love, but youre just a dog on his leash.
Who are you calling a murderer? Rhys snapped.
You know damn well who. You keep this up, and youll regret everything.
Rhys didnt hesitate. He grabbed another stone and hurled it at us. Vivian, dont listen to his bullshhes just stalling for time until backup arrives! Bury him!
Vivian instantly lost her focus and her temper. Didnt you eat this morning? Shovel harder, damn it!
The guards went into a frenzy. The quicksand was past our thighs.
I reached into my pack and pulled out a small aerosol can.
I threw it up with every ounce of strength I had left. It arced perfectly, landing just at the feet of the lead guard.
Vivian burst into laughter. Bear spray? Really? Ethan Cole, youre a genius with a degree, but can one canister stop ten men?
The sand was now covering my stomach. Liam was pressed against my waist, his tears soaking the back of my shirt.
The nozzle on the canister automatically deployed, releasing a powerful, concentrated jet of chemical agent.
Vivian, I gasped, do you know how much concentrated military-grade pepper extract I put in that thing?
Vivian's brow furrowed, but before she could speak, the ten guards at the rim were collapsing, convulsing and screaming, two of them plummeting into the pit.
Rhys was now coughing uncontrollably. The smoke was a weapon I hadn't expected to use, but it had bought us precious time.
I seized the moment, hoisting Liam onto my back and scrambling up the wall. Ten years of dedicated climbing made the ascent difficult, but possible.
But the furious sound of Vivians voice was back on the radio. Ethan Cole, are you so arrogant you think thats enough?
The video feed shook as she pulled a heavy-duty entrenching tool from her car. She raised the shovel high over her head and brought it down, aiming directly at us.
I couldnt let go. If I fell, Liam would be crushed. He was tied to my back.
The shovel slammed directly into Liams shoulder. His scream was a terrible, wet sound of flesh tearing. He went instantly unconscious.
You bastard! Vivian shrieked. Dont tell him not to sign! See how many more hits you can take!
She swung twice more. I screamed through the agony, narrowly dodging the blows with my forearm. Liams attempt to stabilize the company, to soothe the angry victims, had led him here, a sacrificial lamb in this brutal family feud.
I roared into the phone. Vivian! Your brother is dying!
She lit a cigarette, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke. Still lying in the face of death. If you really want to save him, sign the documents.
Fine! Ill sign it! It was all my fault!
Without hesitation, I scrambled down just far enough to retrieve the documents and the pen she tossed down. I signed the confession.
Its signed! Now get us out!
Liam roused slightly with the jostling, saw the signature, and choked out a cry. You're not human, Vivian! Im your brother!
Vivian reeled in the document with a thin cord and inspected it. Satisfied, she pulled a small, custom-made throwing knife from her belt.
You still have the nerve to insult me? You need to be taught a lesson.
She took aim at my head. We were exhausted, our guard down. She flicked her wrist.
Liam, behind me, saw the flash. He threw his good arm forward to intercept the blade.
Agh!
The knife went clean through his wrist, severing the hand in a sickening, muffled snap.
NO!
I went berserk, pulling out a tourniquet and emergency medical supplies from my pack, working desperately to stem the blood flow. Its okay. Its okay
Keep begging, Ethan, Rhyss voice was back, high with excitement. Where was all this panic when I was begging you to save my brother?
Vivian, hurry! Finish them! Kill them both!
Liam was completely numb from the pain. He could only stare at his detached arm, unable to even cry.
But Vivian was not done. She and Rhys started shoveling again, tossing the sand directly onto us.
I tied Liam tighter to my back. I had to reach the top. I climbed, step by agonizing step, trying to match their filling speed.
Vivian suddenly stopped.
Ethan Cole, Im tired of playing with you.
She pulled out a handful of throwing knives from a duffel bag and took aim. Rhys tossed his shovel and settled in to watch, rubbing her shoulders.
Go, Vivian! Stick both those bastards!
There was a small ledge about halfway up. If we could reach it, we would have some cover. Just one more step
A terrible, sharp pain tore through my back. I bit down, shoved Liam onto the ledge, and then lost my footing, falling hard, allowing the sand to immediately swallow my torso.
Ethan!
Liam, despite his injuries, didnt think twice. He jumped back down. With his one remaining hand, he frantically clawed the sand away from my face, forcing me upright to keep me from suffocating.
I was done. I couldn't climb again.
Liam, Im not going to make it, I choked out. Stay behind me. You live. You go find Veronica. She can clear my name.
Liam clung to me with his good arm. No, Ethan! We die together! I dont want to look at that animal again!
Even injured, I was stronger. Ignoring his cries, I tied him firmly to my chest. If only one of us could live, it had to be him.
He stopped struggling, a terrible look of surrender in his eyes. Its alright, Ethan. I still have one hand. I can use it to block anything else she throws.
I didnt contradict his foolish bravery. I felt only a self-mocking pity. I had worked for this family for years, only to be murdered by my own wife.
Vivian stood directly over us, the cluster of knives suspended over Liams head.
I had no strength left. No plan. I flipped the phone camera to face Liams mangled form.
Vivian! Please, for the last time, look at him! Im not lying! This is your brother!
Vivian rolled her eyes, impatient. Ethan Cole, youre delusional. Youre about to die.
Rhyss voice was sickeningly sweet. Vivian, hes trying to play on your guilt. Your brother is a Shaw, not some dirt-covered tramp. Hes waiting for the fireworks at the park. Now, you and your brother can go to hell!
No!
The knives rained down. Liam surged forward, covering my head and chest.
Dozens of blades pierced him, from scalp to thigh. Hot, wet blood streamed down my face. I looked into his eyesand they were filled not with pain, but with worry for me.
Rhys roared with laughter. What devotion! At least youll have company! My little brother died all alone!
The security guards were recovering and resumed shoveling. The sand was rising quickly, now burying my chest, threatening my throat.
I stared blankly at Vivian, the woman who had promised me forever, the monster who had just murdered her own brother.
She looked down on me. Kneel and beg, and Ill give you a proper burial. Ill even let you two brothers be buried together.
Rhys tugged her arm. Vivian, help me shovel. Just looking at him makes me remember my poor, dead brother.
The sand reached my chin.
Vivian Shaw, I whispered, my voice thick with sand, even if I become a ghost, I will haunt you and tear you apart!
Vivian clapped her hands. My husband, ever the drama king. Go on, then. Die.
Just as the earth was about to swallow me whole, the sound of dozens of high-powered off-road vehicles roared up around the quarry pit.
Vivians voice, suddenly weak and trembling, called out to the woman who stepped out of the first vehicle.
Veronica Big Sis Why are you here?
First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "302227" to read the entire book.
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