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With frustration, he ground out, “Fine. I need them foryou.These are the U.S. government’s property, well, Supermax’s.”
Her anger dissipated, and all that was left was confusion and anxiety. “What is Supermax?” she asked, her voice still accusatory. Strap sighed. He was already too far in.
“When I was on a heist with your father, I was captured. They sent me to the Supermax in the States. Supermax agreed to release me in return for you. But if I got these …” he held up his backpack and pointed to hers at the same time, “then you would be free.”
Betrayal was scribbled all over her face. He had fucked up everything. She wouldn’t ever trust him again. After an uncomfortably long period of silence, Mickey’s eyes glued themselves to the forest floor as she spoke.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She sounded hurt, and he wished he could soften the blow. But he couldn’t.
“Because you’re a thief,” he replied.
She scoffed loudly before glaring up at him, arms crossed. Even when he was the brunt of her anger, he couldn’t help but see how adorable she was.
“I amnota thief. Quite the opposite, actually. Everything you and my dad stole, I’ve been returning to where they belong.”
His eyebrows furrowed, and he stepped closer. “What do you mean?” he asked, and Mickey dropped her pack before pulling out an old book he knew all too well. “I’ve been using my dad’s journals to retake everything he’s stolen.” She opened the notebook and showed him the balls.
“Why didn’tyoutellme?” Strap felt a familiar heat build in him. They were both trying to secretly accomplish different goals. And it was all because of these damned baseballs. What the hell?
“Because you’re a thief!” she hollered before looking around. That was loud. The two stared at each other, anger in both of them. Then, a slow laugh started, and it built up between them. They both started chuckling, then full-on laughing. With a pause, the two caught their breath and smiled together,
Strap closed their distance and grabbed her face. She looked up at him lovingly, and he kissed her. Hard.
Her body pressed against him, and her arms wrapped around his waist. He dug his hands into her hair and ran his fingers over her tight ponytail to tug on the end. The kiss lasted for what felt like a lifetime, both sets of hands touching and feeling everything, and both bodies melded together. If Strap could never let her go, he would hold her forever, happily.
When they did break, their breaths were labored, and their foreheads pressed together. He held onto her waist, and she brushed her hands along his chest.
“You know, I wanted that fake diamond ring to be real so bad. Seeing you forever as mine. Nothing would make me happier.” His cheeks warmed from putting his whole heart out there for her.
Mickey closed her eyes, enjoying their togetherness. “I wanted it to be real too. I want to be your mate.” Hearing her admit that was like having his feet swept from under him.Does she really want to be mine? My mate?His heart soared higher than his condor ever could. There was nothing in the way of their mating. Excitement coursed through his veins.
She opened her eyes and stared up at him with contentment. They really could do this. They could get away from it all, hand in the balls to the general, and start a life together. He leaned in to kiss her again, and the sound of a bullet zipped by them. It stopped their moment, and the sound of stomping feet forced them apart. More gunshots sounded, and bullets flew past them.
Scrambling, the two made off for the cliff edge. Reaching the overlook, he looked at her, and she was only focused on the edge. Where could they go from there? He needed to think fast.
A rip of pain hit his shoulder, and he clutched it, feeling immense waves of pain. He’d been shot. Doing the only thing he could think of, Strap shifted into a condor. Grabbing Mickey by the shoulders, he took off.
But flying with a human and all their luggage wasn’t easy. He was panicking, his wound hurting more and more with each flap. Bullets pelted his body, and he could feel the pain mixed with the cool sensation of his blood leaving his body.
He refused to let go of his mate. He had to save her even if it meant giving his own life. He would. He just needed to figure out how. Swooping down, he heard Mickey.
“Drop me! You can get away!” she yelled up at him, squirming incessantly. He wished she would stop moving. He could carry her. He had to.
She wrapped something around his leg and then yanked at his talons around her. Suddenly, he felt alotlighter. And she dropped. He swooped down for her, but another bullet hit him in the back.
“I love you!” he heard as he watched in horror. His mate was falling a hundred feet right into the ocean.
Another zing of pain radiated from his neck. Then everything went black. He couldn’t see or feel. But he was conscious. He felt like he was floating, as if his body wasn’t there anymore. He must’ve been dead. How could he die before he saved his mate? He had everything he wanted, and then it all slipped from his grasp.
As his body slammed into the water, he wished he could’ve told her how much he loved her too.
TWENTY-SIX
STRAP
This must be Hell. Where I deserve to be. Everything is dark. Cold.
He missed Mickey. He had her in his arms, and then she wasn't. He'd never forgive himself. He dropped the love of his life.
