Bradford
“Take him out of here,”I turn to Turner, whose brows are lost beneath his baseball hat. “As far as you can go. He’s gotta disappear.”
Cade glares at me, his eyes darkening. “What happened to obeying all those orders, Doc?”
“Necrophilia isn’t my thing,” my eyes jump to Jenna, and back to him. “I prefer warm bodies.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t want to keep living in misery.”
“I agree. You have demons to fight,” I breathe out an exhale. “But you’re gonna have to do that without me. I’m not harboring you or your bullshit anymore. I’m making a trade for the other Kellan.”
Cade’s lip pulls into a half-smirk. “That’s fucked up.”
“So is you staying in this town, if you’ve got men after you.” I don’t let the rational part of my brain kick in. It’s not time for that right now, I reiterate to Turner, who’s still not moving. “Take him out of here.”
“Sorry.” Turner jumps then, grabbing Cade by the arm. “Let’s go.”
Cade pauses at Jenna, wrapping her in a hug with his free arm. “Stick with him. He’ll keep you safe, Jen.”
Irritation burns in my chest at the exchange, given the bruises on her neck, but I grit it out, choosing to stare at the hole in the wall from my .308, instead of the sibling love exchange. I stand in the threshold, as Turner guides Cade past me.
The kid glares at me as I open the door for them. “I know who put the orders on me. He’s a fucking coward.”
“Take that up with him.” I step outside with them and shut the door, so Jenna can’t hear. “Bind his hands.”
Turner eyes me. “Why?”
“I don’t trust him.” I gesture toward my truck. “Take mine.”
Turner nods, then guides him down to the truck and retrieves zip ties from the toolbox. Cade lets Turner secure his arms behind his back, and then climbs into the backseat. Turner lets Gunner hop in beside him, and then slams the door.
I hover there with Turner, stopping him before he walks around to the driver’s side, keeping my voice low. “Ifanythinggoes wrong, take him out. If he so muchbreatheswrong, put one between his eyes.”
He narrows his gaze at me. “You said you weren’t going to kill him…”
“I’m not.Youmight.” I pause. “We both know what’s best. For everyone.”
Turner nods, his face hardening. “Got it.”
I spin on my heels and leave him to do what needs to be done. I make my way back up the steps and push the door open. Jenna stands there, eyeing me warily.
“I’m never going to see him again, am I?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“He’s not going to make it out of town.” The solemn words slip from her lips in a strange light tone. “That’s what’s best.”
“Sometimes good horses get put down.”
“But you kept your promise.”
“I did.” I remove my cowboy hat, set it on the desk, and then lean against it. “And now, you have to keep yours. I get allof you. And that includes the truth,always. No matter how fucked up it is.”
She takes a step toward me, placing her hands on my upper thighs. “But do you think that you could ever love me? Even though I lied about everything?”
I hold her gaze. “I already think I do. So, let’s see where this goes.”
“Okay,” she whispers, leaning in and placing a soft kiss on my lips. “Let’s just see.”
