Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
“Don’t,” Tanner said, not giving me a chance to speak. He closed his eyes for a moment, before saying, “Don’t tell me you should go. Don’t tell me it’s the right thing to make this fucking exchange.”
The hurt in his voice caused me physical pain in my chest. I always tried to be strong, but in this moment, I felt weak. Because I wanted everything Tanner was offering. I wanted to stay. I wanted the dream, but . . . “Maybe it is not in this life that we are meant to be together.” As I whispered the words, each one felt like a knife being driven into my side. Tanner’s blue eyes were racked with agony. I kept my lip from trembling as I stroked my hand down his face, and along his tattooed neck. “Maybe, no matter how hard we fought, we were never meant to be. No matter how much we love one another, it isn’t enough.” I smiled at him, but the smile was a lie—I felt only heartache. “I cannot have other people’s deaths or miseries on my conscience. And I know you, Tanner Ayers. I know you cannot either.”
“I can’t let you go,” he rasped. The hurt in his voice was almost my undoing.
“Do you know how much I love you, mi amor?”
Tanner touched his forehead to mine. “Yes.” His breathing was labored, like he had the weight of the world on his wide shoulders. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“Yes,” I whispered back.
“I can’t lose you,” he appealed, and I unraveled when I saw his eyes glisten. “If the world doesn’t want us together, then we have to find a place that does. I want no one else, baby. You’re it. You’ve always been it.”
“Tanner . . .”
Tanner took hold of both of my hands. “Let me try,” he begged. “Let me try to make a plan to save the prospects and keep you safe and here with me. Please . . . just . . . just let me try.”
Tanner’s expression was so hopeful, so earnest, that I found myself nodding my head in agreement. Tanner exhaled in relief and picked me up where I stood. He carried me to the bed, and then made love to me so sweetly, so softly, as though I were a delicate flower who might fall apart at any moment.
When he left to meet with the other Hangmen, I lay wrapped in the bedsheets, his smell wrapped around me, keeping me warm. I intended to savor every part of Tanner I could over the next three days. I didn’t know what would happen, but I wasn’t naïve.
So, closing my eyes, I allowed myself to envision a life where Tanner and I had no shackles holding us back. Living free and as we chose to. No war. No violence. Just him and me and our love.
It was the most perfect of dreams.
Chapter Eleven
Tanner
I watched Adelita getting ready across the room. She slipped on black jeans a plain black tank. Her dark brown hair fell to her waist. I watched her as she crossed the room and pulled flat black boots on her feet. My heart fucking squeezed seeing her like this. All she was missing was a cut. Fuck, that wasn’t true. She was missing that and my ring—the one I still intended to put on her finger.
The screen in front of me flashed with a new email. It was Wade. It wasn’t only the cartel that would be at the ghost town today. The Klan would be there too. And, according to Wade, so would Beau.
We’ll be positioned at the north side of the town. Snipers and shooters hidden in the back in case everything goes to shit. Cartel will have thirty men. We’ll be making up the rest.
Wade had already told me their plan. The Hangmen had been planning for three days. The Louisiana and San Antonio chapters were already on the south side of the ghost town. In position since last night. AK was with them. If Diego dared touch any of the brothers, AK was there to put a slug in his head. The guy was the best fucking sniper I knew. Zane, AK’s nephew, was a captive. Zane, who AK treated like a son . . . AK wouldn’t be missing a fucking shot.
On top of that, AK had the biggest task of all—to take out Diego. When the exchange was made, I had to restrain myself just long enough to let Adelita walk back to the cartel camp . . . then AK would send a bullet straight through Diego’s head.
There was no way to avoid the carnage that would follow. We were ready. It was time to fight.
Wade had given me numbers—of men, weapons and coordinates. I printed the information off and ran my hands over my face. Today, I would face Beau and Diego as a Hangman. All the time trying to keep the prospects and my bitch safe.