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“You let me and Darin handle whoever this is.” He inhales, then blows out a long breath. “When I look at you and motion, you head to Vanessa and try to free her. The gun stays in your hand with the safety on. If William or Damian go near you, that is when you flip the safety and pull the trigger. Understand?” His face softens as he watches me closely.
I know he sees me struggle with the thought of shooting William. But if he’s behind this, then I’ve got no other choice.
Determination fills my body, and my posture straightens. Turning the gun in my hands, I check to ensure the safety is on. “I’m ready.”
He takes my hand, pulls me out the door, and sets the alarm. As we hurry toward his Jeep, I look up at the dark skies above. For a brief moment, I close my eyes, saying a prayer.
When I open my eyes, I turn my head, looking at the man I love.
I won’t let him get hurt again. Even though I know he won’t like it, I intend to get more involved than I admitted to him.
Because I can’t fucking lose him. I won’t allow that to happen.
Chapter thirty-five
Max
October30,2018,10:10p.m.
My knuckles are white on the steering wheel as I drive toward the warehouse, my foot heavy on the accelerator. Unlike the previous time I did this, Irelynn sits in the passenger seat, nervously biting her nails, the gun resting on her lap. Occasionally, she sighs and picks her phone up to look at the screen.
Each time, I turn my head toward her, waiting until she meets my gaze. She shakes her head, sadness pouring from the expression on her face.
It feels like déjà vu as I slow down once we’ve entered the thick forest, the trees filtering out most of the moonlight so the area is covered in darkness. Moving my gaze from the road to her, anxiety makes my chest tighten and my insides quiver. This time, I not only need to worry about my own safety, hoping like hell I don’t get shot or blown up, but even more importantly, hers.
Blowing out a breath, my mind races as I stare at the road, my thoughts drifting to seeing William earlier today.
Is that why he was parked down the street from the coffee shop? Was he watching us? Did he manipulate Vanessa by pretending to care and acting like a nice guy to get her and Irelynn to reconcile, knowing if he kidnapped her best friend, we’d try to rescue her? Is this some big plot to take the three of us out and snatch Irelynn again?
Spotting Darin’s Jeep parked along the side of the road; I pull behind him. My heart thunders in my ears. I’m nearly positive his vehicle is empty, which means he’s probably inside the warehouse.
“Irelynn, I need you to listen to me. You need to stay behind me and follow my instructions. I can’t have you doing anything foolish, okay?”
A hurt look flashes through her big brown eyes before I catch a glimpse of anger, then determination. She simply stares at me, saying nothing.
Shit. She’s not going to listen to me.
Shaking my head, I hop out, heading to the back of my Jeep, grabbing two flashlights from the emergency kit I store back there. Irelynn comes up beside me, her breathing accelerated. She fidgets nervously, biting down on her lip as her chocolate eyes dart around.
Something rustles in the bushes beside us. Irelynn jumps and whirls around. A raccoon saunters out, darting across the road.
“It’s okay, baby. It’s just a raccoon.” My hand wraps around her arm, pulling her against me. “Breathe with me, love. I need you to calm down before we go inside, okay?” She imitates my breathing, her anxiety starting to ease.
Once I feel her pulse slowing beneath my hand on her wrist, I move closer to her, my lips inches from hers. “Relax, baby. I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”
“I know.” Her voice is a whisper. “But I’m worried about you, as well as Vanessa and Darin, getting hurt.” She wraps her arms around my back, the flashlight still in her hands. I feel the gun in the back of her pants as I pull her closer. “It may sound insensitive, but you are my biggest worry, Max.” Her face lowers as she whispers, “I don’t want anything to happen to you. I couldn’t bear it if you were hurt… and I sure as hell can’t live without you.”
“Same, beautiful.” My lips crash against hers, putting every ounce of love I feel for her into this kiss.
She whimpers, then moans, responding to me with just as much force as I’m showing her.
When we pull back, we breathe heavily, our hearts pounding inside our chests, beating in time with one another.
“I love you, Max.” Her eyes darken in color from her fear and emotional state, boring into me as if trying to memorize every single detail of my face.
Pressing my lips against her forehead, I whisper, “I love you, Irelynn.”
Pulling back slightly, resolve is evident in the set of my shoulders, my muscles flexed. “Are you ready?”
