Between the Devil and the Deep Blue
an excerpt

“I will do it for you, if you need me too,” the man behind Ace said. Ace glanced over his shoulder and recognized Bailey’s cousin, the English professor. Bailey had never liked him. Ace shook his head and stood up. If he could never hold her again, he wanted to at least carry her.
The isle to the doors of the church seemed unnaturally long as Ace carried Bailey with her father and uncles. He took steady steps and held the handle with a steady hand, but he felt as if his heart were about to explode.
He did not want to be here. He did not want to be here. He did not want to be here.