I nodded, but the truth was, I’d do anything for her.
I’d fight in the ring.
I’d fight a goddamn army.
I’d also die for her.
“Let’s move.” I quickly shot off a message to my group chat with Bastian and the others.
At Darkwolf. Goodyear’s team closing in. Estimate twelve bogeys.
I didn’t need to say anymore.
I knew they’d come.
I’d lost my team, my brothers, but without planning to, I’d found new brothers. Men I could trust.
Now, without planning to, I also had a woman I could love.
But first, I had to keep her alive.
I dragged Lili across the space and into my close quarters combat shoot house.
CHAPTER 23
LILI
My heart raced like a scared rabbit. I followed Cole through the twists and turns of his shoot house. It looked like an unfinished office, with a warren of rooms, empty windows, plywood floors and walls, and the odd piece of mismatched furniture. He led me up some stairs to the second level.
He stopped in a large room. “Down here, Lili.” He pushed me behind an ugly, patterned sofa that looked like it had come from Goodwill. “Don’t move, got it?”
Terrified, I nodded.
His face warmed and he cupped my cheeks. His lips brushed over mine. “I’ve got you.”
My fear didn’t go away, and I realized my fear was for him.
I knew this man now.
I knew him inside and down to the soul he thought was broken and scarred. He’d fight to keep me safe, even if it cost him his own life.
“Stay safe, Cole Black.”
His lips quirked.
“Promise me,” I said firmly.
“I promise. And you stay down.”
I ducked behind the sofa, but I moved so I could keep my eyes on him, peering around the edge.
With measured moves he strode over to one of the windows that looked down into the warehouse.
His face changed, the warmth leaking out of his face. Now he looked hard, cold, and focused.
I heard a faint sound below and my chest locked.
Cole lifted that wicked looking rifle and took aim.
