Page 13 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

I look between Selena and Madison. An impossible decision.

“Just fucking do it, Killian. Take Selena and get the fuck out of here.” Madison’s head nods ever so slightly.What the hell is going on?And why isn’t she crying?That woman tried beating the shit out of me when she thought I was leaving Liam dead on the side of the road. This response issonot like her.

“Trust me,” Madison mouths. Diego shoots me a wink, his lips curving into an arrogant smile.

“Okay. But I am taking the men that are left with me. My brother’s bodywillalso be coming with us.”

“I will deliver him to you myself. Can’t promise he’ll be in one piece,” Diego taunts. Bile rises in my throat.

Fuck, Liam. Fuck you for not listening to me! It should have been me.

I promise you I will get Madison back home.

I swear it.

“You’re just like your father.” Geraldo shakes his head, releasing Selena and shoving her toward me. “Deal.”

Blood tricklesdown my hand from smashing the sliding door. I clawed at the double-layer tempered glass to access the lock. My automatic rifle is raised as I enter the room. It’s a master bedroom—possibly Diego’s. I survey the room before clearing the en suite.

Empty. Everything but the …

Rustling in the closet catches my attention. Glass crunches under my feet as I make my approach. With my gun raised, finger hovering over the trigger, I push open the door.

It takes a second for my eyes to adjust to the darkness before my brain registers what—rather—whois at the end of my barrel.

“Liam?” Madison’s sweet voice fills my ears.

Swinging the rifle around so it sits at my back, I drop to my knees in front of her and pull her into my arms. She is shaking like a leaf. Andsofucking frail. Her ribcage protrudes beneath my fingers. Her olive skin, angry and irritated, is covered in welts and bumps that blanket her entire body.

“Liam, it’sreallyyou,” she weeps. “You’re here. You’re really here.” An endless supply of tears pour over the rims of her eyes. Trembling fingers clasp my face as she pulls my lips to hers. I dothe same, locking my hands around her face and devouring her mouth. The need to be gentle with her hits me. I loosen my grip, cradling her head instead. Madison’s lips continue to mold around mine, refusing to let me move an inch.

Her kiss is my salvation. A drug far more effective than nicotine. Her taste instantly calms the storm raging inside of me.

She moans as I slip my tongue between her lips. “I knew you would come for me.” Her voice is just a whisper. I lean back on my heels and help her up, securing my arm around her waist.

“I would go to the ends of the Earth to find you. Even death itself couldn’t stop me from getting to you. I would fight tooth and nail, dragging my sorry arse out of the depths of Hell, just to have you back in my arms. You aremine, Madison. Anyone who has touched what’s mine will no longer be breathing by the end of tonight.”

We need to move. The boats should be here by now. We just need to make it down to the beach. I grab her hand and lead her out of the closet. Something hard slams into me, knocking me back a step.

Diego.

Dropping Madison’s hand, I grip Diego’s throat. His fist comes up as he swings at my face, getting a solid punch in.Shit.Now I know why they call himTheBone Breaker.I don’t think he broke my jaw—butfuck—if that wasn’t the hardest hit I’ve ever taken.

A mixture of adrenaline and loathing heats my blood. I ram into him, pounding my fist into his ribs over and over again. I grab his throat with both hands, ready to watch the light leave his eyes. Diego’s right hook connects with my lip, splitting it and sending me reeling back.

“Stop!” Madison shouts over us.

“Get back, Madison.” I whirl around and push her behind me while swinging the rifle around. Diego is quick—already having his Glock out and aimed at me.

My woman steps directly in the middle of our cocked guns. I automatically lowered mine the second she stepped foot in front of it.

What the hell is she doing?

“Madison, baby. Move.” Tilting my head a fraction, I stare at her.

Move, baby. What are you doing?

“Dale,Mariposita.” Did that motherfucker give her a nickname? No. This ends now.

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