Melody's POV
His hand was still warm when it brushed my cheek.
Too gentle for a man like him. Too real.
I didn't mean to lean into it. But I did.
He didn't flinch. Just stared at me like I was a puzzle he didn't mind taking his time with. For once, there were no threats. No accusations. Just... quiet.
And maybe I needed quiet.
So I stepped closer. His hand dropped. But I stayed. His breath hitched. I could feel it.
Then he pulled me into a hug. Hesitant. Careful.
I think I stopped breathing.
It wasn't the hug of a man who wanted to own me.
It was the hug of a man who missed me.
I closed my eyes.
For one second, the world felt small and soft and safe
Then…Click.
The sound snapped through the silence.
Everything happened at once.
I opened my eyes saw the gleam of silver behind him.
A gun. Raised. A man. Shadowed. Finger on the trigger.
I didn't think.
"Marvis...!"
His body tensed. He turned.
Bang.
I pushed him.
Bang. Bang.
The bullets didn't miss.
My chest. My side. My shoulder.
Hot fire. Then nothing.
I hit the ground. Hard.
The scream that followed wasn't mine. It was his.
I tried to look up couldn't. My body was numb. My hands sticky.
Blood. So much of it.
I heard more shots. Not mine this time. Marvis, I think. His voice was a roar in the distance. Someone yelled. Another gun dropped. Footsteps.
Then arms around me.
"Melody," he said. Over and over. "No, no…no."
His voice cracked.
My vision blurred. The lights above smeared like watercolors.
"I'm okay," I think I said. Maybe.
He pressed something to my side. Swearing. Desperate. I'd never seen him like that.
"Stay with me."
I tried.nBut the world was already fading.
The last thing I heard was his voice.
Soft, scared, breaking.
"Please. Don't leave me."