“You’re going to get out of this room. And you’re going to do one of two things. If I’m gone, you’re going to find Torin. You’re going to get him out of here.”
“No.”
“That’swhat you’re going to do, or we’re both going to be pried away from each other in the next few seconds. Because I won’t leave unless you promise me, Oz.” I give his fingers a little squeeze. “Please...” He averts his gaze to his right, but I continue, “If you think I’m still alive…come for me. And kill them all.”
His blue eyes slice back over to mine, and it’s like waving bait in front of a hungry shark. My husband is triggered by blood and violence if the situation calls for it, and I just piqued his fancy with the thought.
“Promise me,” I urge as I see the guy with the gun step forward to claim me from this room. “I’ll do everything I can to come back to you. Iwantto come back to you. You don’t know how much.”
His fingers tighten around mine, and I’m in awe at how he’s still holding them, even though the time really doesn’t call for it.
“I’m taking that as a yes,” I surmise quietly. “When I get back, we’ll go home and sit on the couch. I’ll make you watch some stupid movie with me. We’ll touch palms and do all our cool shit.” I try to smile at him, but it falls flat. “You’re not done with me.”
“Alright,” Passenger Prick chimes in, irritated. “Let’s go.”
His arm lifts, probably to push me back, but I save myself from having to semi-calm Ozzy down again by saying with a glare, “If you touch me, he’llkillyou. Save yourself the trouble, I got it.”
“Then fuckin’move,” he clips out, glowering back at me. “Fuckin’ Christ.”
Stealing one last look at Ozzy, I try my best to smile again under the dire circumstances.
I wish we could do more.
I wish I had tried harder.
I wish I had known him longer.
Regardless, those wants aren’t what we need right now, so I opt for a sappy one-liner I hope I can expand on later.
“Do it,” I deadpan, giving him a wink before stepping out of his gentle hold and pivoting out of the room.
I can feel his eyes are on me the whole time before I hear the door slam shut behind us with a heartbreaking thud.
He’ll get out.
I know he will.
Being out of his sight will be fuel enough to murder every single motherfucker in this place.
That’s the only way I’m going to stay alive.
Unless fate doesn’t throw one of those bullets in my head.
SEVENTY
bay
I’m takenupstairs and led into what was the dining space of a restaurant. A long, empty bar with stools takes up the right side of the room. Abandoned tables and chairs are shoved toward the walls as I step deeper within the confines of the room until a grunt reaches my ears.
A body is slumped over in the middle of the area with their legs extended across the hardwood floors.
Even with the lack of good light in here, I’d know Torin Wildes with my fucking eyes closed.
His slumped shoulders.
The tawny brown hair that has gotten a bit longer but hangs over his forehead while his chin is tucked into his chest.
My heart seizes at the sight of him, but it’s my hurried footsteps that get him to stir.
