Jenson spins, cutting into her even more as he positions her in front of him and faces me.
Blue eyes latch onto mine. “Roman.”
“I’m here, baby,” I keep my voice calm, “I’m here for you.”
“Don’t give him anything.”
“Shut up!” Jenson tugs her head back by her hair, forcing a whimper from her.
“You want the ranch?” I step closer, seeing the manic look in his eyes, the wild violence brimming through his body. He’s unpredictable, untamed, and one wrong move… “You can have it. It’s yours.”
“Roman,” She breathes, voice watery.
“You let her go, and it’s all yours.”
“I don’t believe you,” Jenson spits.
“All I want is her.” I tell him, “Let her go and take me.”
“No,” Niamh whispers. “Don’t.”
“You have my word,” I speak directly to my father.
“Drop your gun,” Jenson orders.
Lowering to a crouch, I place the gun on the ground, my eyes on Niamh, and then lift, showing him my palms.
“Step forward.” I do as he instructs, getting so close I can see the different types of blue in Niamh’s eyes. “Now turn around.”
I give him my back and start to count.
One. I breathe out. Two. All sounds turn muted in my ears as I ready myself for what happens next. Three…
Niamh is suddenly pushed forward, and she lands hard on the ground, right next to the loaded gun. Spinning, I throw my fist into the side of his face, his headsnapping back with the force, but he’s quick to recover. He shoots forward just as a loud bang echoes through the trees.
Jenson goes down at the same time pain bursts through the side of my body.
“No!” Niamh screams as she sees the knife sticking out of my side, her shaking hands releasing the gun. She shot him.
“Roman!” Silas roars, but then there she is, her arms around me, attempting to keep me up as blood pours from the wound.
She comes down with me, knees hitting the ground first.
“No, please,” She cries. “Someone help!”
The edges of my vision go blurry until all I see is her, tears tracking down her face, blood smeared on her skin.
“Don’t leave me,” She begs.
My hand lifts to cradle the side of her face. “I don’t want to, sweetheart.”
I can hear my brothers, their voices, the sounds of their steps, but I only focus on my wife.
“I need you,” She cries, her tears landing on my cheek.
“No,” I shake my head, but it feels numb, like my head is swimming. I can feel my heart slowing, the thumping in my ears going quieter. “You never needed me. It’s always been you. You’re the strongest person I know, baby.”
“Niamh,” Silas gets to the ground beside me, “I need you to move.”
