Page 125 of Love in the Wild

A flash of Hadley’s smiling face in his mind prompted a thought about prayer, and he leaned into the lifeline.

God, I know I haven’t proven myself, but please don’t let anything happen to Hadley. I need her. I can’t live without her. God, please.

A shuffling sound cut off his prayer, and he slowed his pace to listen. It was definitely a rustling, but it could be an animal.

Then a man’s muffled voice filtered through the noise. What was he saying? Gage couldn’t hear the words yet.

Crouching, he crept closer to the voice, hiding behind the cover of trees as he approached. The closer he got, the better he could hear Rome’s scattered words. He fired off a message to Travis and Mr. Benson letting them know she was at the top of the hill. If they cornered Rome on three sides, he’d be trapped.

Slowly, Gage positioned himself against the first tree on the top of the hill and pulled out his pistol. The metal was heavy and cold in his hands as he chambered a round. If Hadley was standing anywhere near Rome, using the weapon wouldn't be an option.

Peeking around the tree, Gage caught sight of Rome and Hadley. Her hands were tied behind her back, and she lay facedown against the ground. Rome’s hand was pressed to her back, pinning her as he crouched beside her.

Hadley jerked her shoulder back, trying and failing to flip her body. Rome leaned over and pressed harder on her shoulder, spitting curses and threats if she didn’t hold still.

Hadley was still alive and conscious, but that did nothing to calm the hot fury inside him. Gage’s breaths grew deeper and came faster as he gripped his gun in his hand and stepped out from behind the tree. He’d taken three purposeful steps, locked on his target, before Rome looked up.

“Finally.” Rome jerked Hadley to her feet and positioned her in front of him. “I thought you’d never get here.”

Gage lowered his gun but kept advancing. He couldn’t use a gun with Hadley between them, but there were plenty of ways he could rip Rome apart.

Rome jerked Hadley back, holding her tight against his chest. “Don’t take another step.”

“You’re gonna wish you were never born,” Gage promised low and steady as he forged ahead.

Hadley’s breath hitched. “He’s got a gun!”

Rome jerked the weapon from his belt and leveled it at Gage. “I was getting to that.”

“You better not miss,” Gage warned as he neared Rome and Hadley.

Rome jerked Hadley back with one arm, keeping the gun aimed at Gage. “Stop, or I’ll throw her.”

Gage’s steps jerked to a stop as he noticed how close Hadley’s feet were to the edge of the bluff. The rocky outcropping jutted out over a fifty-foot drop to the rocky river below.

“Don’t do it,” Gage ordered. “Let her go, and no one gets hurt.”

Rome laughed. “See, you should have thought twice before messing with my business. I gotta make an honest living just like everybody else.”

Gage scoffed. “Honest.”

Rome shrugged, still keeping a tight hold on Hadley as she jerked beside him. “Honest enough for me. You’re the traitor here.”

“Last chance. Let her go.” He needed one chance–a single second to distract Rome and get closer to Hadley.

“No, you’re the one out of chances.” Rome jerked the arm holding onto Hadley, and she let out a shrill scream as she tumbled over the rocky cliff.

36

GAGE

Gage’s heart stopped as Hadley disappeared over the edge of the bluff. He dove for her, but there was no way he’d be able to reach her.

Rome was ready and tracked Gage with the barrel of the gun. In a quick decision, he ducked, narrowly escaping Rome’s shot. Gage gripped the knife clipped to his pocket and opened the switchblade. He lunged, bringing him right to the feet of his enemy where he plunged the blade into Rome’s thigh.

Rome let out a scream and pistol-whipped Gage in the temple. He barely felt the blow as he jerked the blade free and got to his feet.

Rome raised his gun again, but Mr. Benson appeared behind him, slamming a thick limb into the side of Rome’s head. He fell to the ground, momentarily stunned.

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