Page 89 of All In

“I’d really rather not lose one of my men,” Ranger says coolly. “But if it comes down to choosing his life or the life of my omega.” He shrugs. “I can accept that loss. You’ll be dead either way.”

“Don’t stress, kitten.” Locke’s eyes meet mine over Tanner’s shoulder before moving to Ranger. “I attempted to set a meeting through someone named Mercer, but he refused to put me in contact with you once he learned who I am.”

“I truly don’t care who you are,” Ranger says. “We’re in a stalemate. Your life for his, but either way, I make it out of this. At the end of the day, I can live with that.”

Tanner’s resigned expression pisses me off. Maybe part of my fury is Ranger’s tone and how completely out of control my life has been lately.

“No one is dying!” I stomp the last few feet to Ranger, jamming the gun into his ribs. “I said, we’re all going to put the guns down.” I would never actually hurt Ranger, but Locke is alone and it really seems like he needs some backup.

My eyes widen as Maverick and Gunner are led out of the woods with a group of highly armed women behind them.

“I see your stalemate.” Locke looks at Ranger and chuckles. The sound actually has goose bumps breaking out down my arms. “But I’ll raise—checkmate.”

My foot bounces against the ground as I whine, “We’re all on the same team! Stop threatening to kill each other.”

“I have no intention of killing anyone,” Locke says, smirking. “But you might if you don’t take your finger off the trigger. With how badly your hand is shaking…”

Ranger nods, turning slightly until I can see the side of his face. “I’m not sure if it was purposeful, but you’re perfectly positioned at that angle. You’d most certainly puncture my heart.”

“Oh, shit,” I hiss, moving my pointer finger off the trigger.

I still keep the gun in place, though.

“Aim for that spot in the future if you’re ever under duress,” Ranger says calmly.

How could anyone be so calm and collected right now?

It’s unnatural.

My heart beats so fast, it feels like it could take flight right out of my chest, but Locke and Ranger seem placid.

“I have an offering for you in the trunk of that car.” Locke nods, patting Tanner’s chest. “Sorry about this, I just needed to ensure you wouldn’t shoot before I had the chance to make my case.”

“It still feels like a distinct possibility,” Ranger growls.

“This is Chicago Guy?” Tanner asks, gesturing over his shoulder.

I nod, biting my lower lip. “He won’t hurt you.” I make eye contact with Locke, and my stomach rolls with discomfort. I got him into this terrible situation. I’m so thankful he cared enough to come for me, but I no longer need to be rescued. I take a deep breath and go on. “Tanner and I bonded. No one needs to hurt anyone.”

“How intriguing,” Locke says, jamming the gun against Tanner’s temple so deeply, the skin depresses. “And with your heat right around the corner…” He chuckles darkly. “One would almost assume you were in too vulnerable of a condition to consent, especially considering they just rescued you.”

Ranger nods. “I said something similar.”

“Were you coerced?” a woman with long, dark, wavy hair asks, coming closer. “We all know bonds can be rejected?—”

“Bless,” Locke growls, rolling his eyes. “This part doesn’t involve you.”

Ranger finally pulls his gun from Locke’s skull before twisting around quickly and disarming me. “It seems your male companion spent a fair amount of time in female company while searching for you.”

I stare at my bare hand for a second before my head flies up, my eyes narrowing at Ranger. “Are you seriously trying to start shit right now?”

Ranger’s shaggy brown curls bounce as his chin tilts in the air. “I simply thought it was worth noting.”

“Bless Barrett,” the woman says, extending a hand to me. “The idiot with hearts in his eyes is my cousin.”

I stretch to shake her hand, but two things happen simultaneously.

Ranger moves, spinning in a circle around me and somehow jamming his gun under the woman’s jaw.

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