He gasps. Chokes. Tries to speak, then nothing.
I fall back, breath ragged, hands shaking, but it’s not fear this time.
It’srage.
For the men I love. For everything they’ve done for me. If anyone gets between us now, I’ll tear this fucking forest apart with my bare hands.
I run.
Then,
BAM.
An explosion hits just ahead, the shockwave throwing dirt and bark through the air like shrapnel. I duck, a twisted smile curling despite the chaos.
My guys are here.
I move again, slower now. More careful.
Another blast, farther this time. Behind me.
I freeze.
Two detonations. Opposite sides.
My chest pounds as I stare at the rising smoke. Which direction?
Where’s Knox?
I bite my lip, heart screaming behind my ribs.
What would he do?
He’d send Dante somewhere safe—he’s still healing, barely back on his feet.
Max and Ryker? No chance he’d separate them. They work best as a team, and Knox knows it.
That leaves only one option.
The river.
Open terrain. No cover. No high ground. It’s the worst of both worlds—vulnerable and exposed.
He’d take that one himself. Of course he would. He’d rather bleed alone than let anyone else take the hit.
I turn toward the river, legs already moving. Faster. The ground trembles again from a distant blast, and I nearly trip, but I catch myself. I’m close. I can feel it.
When I reach the edge, I stay in the trees, crouching low, eyes scanning.
Then I hear it, a shot and I creep forward, and then I see it.
No.
Knox is on his knees. Blood pools beneath him. His body sways slightly, head bowed. Roman stands in front of him, gun pressed tohis temple. Bryn’s beside him, smiling.
My lungs forget how to work, and tears fill my eyes.
“You know why I didn’t want her to fuck you that night?” Bryn says, her tone twisted into something dark and gleeful. “Because I knew if she did, you’d fall. You’d be harder to control. But if she never touched you, you would eventually seek me out.”
