I step closer so she can't miss the emotions and intensity behind my words. "I have to do this, Willow. For the agents who fired me. For every stupid mistake I've made. And for you. So I can start paying you back."
Her throat bobs as she swallows. She insists, "This isn't the way to pay me back."
"Sure it is. But don't forget our bet," I remind her, waggling my eyebrows.
She shakes her head. "You better not get hurt."
I flash her a crooked grin. "Sugar, that's always a risk." Before she can argue again, I step past her and out into the arena.
The chanting vibrates around me, and the world fades to just me and the beast I'm about to ride. Adrenaline ignites in my veins. I lower myself onto the bull. His muscles coil like loaded springs. My grip tightens around the rope.
Jax leans into the gate. "Make this count."
"I intend to." I give the signal to Bucky.
The gate flies open.
The first jump jerks my body forward. The second nearly snaps my spine. I grit my teeth, locking every muscle, riding with pure instinct.
One Texan.
Two Texan.
Three Texan.
Fire shoots through my sciatica.
I nearly fall off but grip the rope harder.
Time stretches into an eternity.
Four Texan.
Five Texan.
Another shot of fire races through my spine.
Six Texan.
Seven Texan.
The bull twists hard left, then bucks high, snapping into a spin that tests every bit of my strength.
Somehow, I stay on him.
The buzzer blares.
I fly off the bull, landing hard but rolling out of the way before the beast charges past.
The arena erupts in cheers.
I run to the safety zone, adrenaline masking the pain. When I'm out of danger, it wears off.
I limp toward Willow as the announcer shouts my score. The crowd roars.
She runs to me, fury and relief mixing with excitement in her expression. "You idiot."
I grin. "Be ready at six tomorrow. And pack an overnight bag."
