Page 26 of Wed Or Dead

“So you’re just what—giving up?”

Her eyes narrowed. Who did Gage think he was talking to? Wasn’t a woman entitled to a bit of a freak out when she discovered her whole life was a lie? But she was pushing forward, and she wasn’t gonna fall apart again. Kayla straightened her shoulders. “I’m picking my moment,” she said,“and when the right moment comes, I’ll get us out of here.” The moment wasn’t happening then. Sure, no cameras were on them. No other hunters listening in. But thiswasn’tthe moment to escape. “In an hour, Lyle will be back.”

“And you want to wait for him?” He looked at her like she was crazy.

No, what she really wanted was to slam her fist into Lyle’s face. But waiting was all she could do…then. “When he opens that cage door, that’s when we’ll get our freedom.” They just had to move fast enough and be strong enough.

They wouldn’t have long, but that doorwouldopen. Lyle—the lying, conniving bastard—would be the one to unlock the cage.

Then it would be their turn to attack.

Gage was back to pacing. “And what if they just drug us again? Instead of opening that door wide, what if they shoot us, then drag us out of here one at a time?”

He would point out that option. She shrugged and tried to appear careless. Such an act. “Then we’re screwed.” Because her escape plan—the only plan that she could think of—involved Lyle opening the door for her. He opened it, then she killed him.

End of story.

Lyle had always underestimated her. She’d pushed for the more dangerous missions. He’d held her back, saying she wasn’t ready.

I’ll show you a killer instinct, asshole.

The chain rattled. Her gaze lifted. Gage was closing in on her, and his eyes were glowing with the light of his beast.

She held her ground. Her heart raced in her chest, drumming fast enough to almost hurt, and she wondered just how acute his shifter senses really were.

Could he smell her fear?

If we don’t get out, I die.

Because she knew that when it came down to a choice between Gage’s pack and her, well, there wasn’t a choice at all.

Gage might think that Lyle wouldn’t actually kill her, but Kayla knew better.

Did he really kill my parents?The suspicion was in her gut, knotting deep. For years, she’d been following his orders. He’d given her a home. Given her protection.

And now he wanted to carve her up.

Like he had carved up her mother and father? He’d been there that night, but not as the rescuer she’d thought. As the monster she’d feared.

Gage’s fingers rose to touch her throat. She flinched, then realized that his claws weren’t out. Her breath whispered from between her lips.

“I don’t like that scent from you,” Gage said, his voice a dark rumble of sound.

Uh, come again?

“Fear usually smells good.”

So hecouldsmell it.

“But coming from you, the scent just makes me want to kill.” Then he leaned forward. His arms wrapped around her, and he lifted her up against him. Gage’s lips pressed against her throat. “I swear, I’ll kill him.”

He was kissing her wounds. His mouth was gentle, but the hands holding her were hard with strength and power.

She trembled against him as his lips moved toward her ear, and that tremble—it wasn’t from fear.

I should’ve had more time with him.

Gage hadn’t married her for love, yes, she got that part. But why couldn’t they have just enjoyed a few days together? Had death really needed to come calling hours after she said “I do” with him?

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