I’d never seen the life Hunter gave me as anything but what I needed. A home, a family, stability.
Hunter answers the phone. “What?” He falls quiet, and fear chills me to my very core when he pales. He pinches thebridge of his nose. “You’re sure?” He nods, then hangs up before taking a seat. “We know who the list belongs to.”
Tension crackles in the air, almost a tangible thing. I’ve never seen Hunter like this—like he’s wrestling with his own fear, like he’s been presented with an obstacle he can’t obliterate. He’s always fixed everything. No problem too big or small.
But now? He looks lost.
“Who?” Guy asks.
Hunter stares at the desk. “Ranger Luxe.”
Prickles of anticipation work their way up my spine.
This isn’t just a man in power. Ranger Luxeispower. Endless resources. A thirst for violence. A man who rules the city with blood and bullets.
A cool wash of dread coats me as realization dawns.
This is no longer a case of fighting back. He’s a gangster with an army.
We would never win.
Ty was right. He’ll never let this go. He’ll never let Ella and I live. No matter what we offer, he’ll kill us.
We have to run.
“Who’s Ranger Luxe?” Ella asks, clearly noticing my demeanor.
Monty sighs. “The most beautiful monster you’ve ever seen.”
I cup her face, my thumb just under the cut on her cheek. Something that is so tame compared to what Ranger will do to her, do to the both of us. Her wide blue eyes search mine, and something frantic unleashes in my chest.
The need to protect her.
To save her.
“He’s a man you can’t fight,” Hunter says quietly.
Hunter knows better than anyone the kind ofman Ranger is. When his cousin, Nico, died a few years ago, Hunter tried to get in touch with Nico’s daughter, Denver. He was blocked by Ranger, refused access to the funeral, and told in explicit terms that Denver was a Luxe now, not a DeLuca. Hunter tried to fight it, but it was pointless.
You don’t fight a man like Ranger Luxe.
You run, or you die.
“We have to leave, Gibson,” I say softly.
Her lips part, an argument likely brewing, but she doesn’t say the words. Something in my expression must stop her.
“No,” Guy says, looking between me and Ella.
“He’ll kill her,” I say.
He looks frantic, lost, his breathing fast, and I understand his panic. He goes to the window as Ella slides her hand into mine.
“We’ve come this far,” she says. “Are we really giving up?”
“We don’t have a choice.”
It means we won’t find out who killed Asher. Whoever pulled the trigger that night will continue to walk free.
