Page 85 of Whatever It Takes

Wifeis the signal word.

All hell officially breaks loose.

The men who approached with Easton take off across the alley as Titus’s knees explode one and then the other. His wails fill the air as his men scurry for cover, drawing their weapons.

Their bullets fly toward us.

More land in the vehicle blocking their side of the alley.

Fucking Easton isn’t even holding his gun as he walks across the alley like he’s immortal.

Or he has a death wish.

Keir grabs me, pulling me behind him and drawing his gun all in one smooth motion. He falls to a crouch and takes out one of the men peeking around the trunk of the car on Titus’s side of the alley.

The big guy who works for Shadow Security lifts me, trying to shove me behind the SUV, but I kick him in the shin.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” I hiss, raking my nails down his arm. “He wanted me here for this for some reason.”

“Then, by all means, handle yourself, you giant pain in the ass,” the big guy says.

Easton kicks something out of Titus’s hand and bends down, wrapping his hand in my brother’s hair. He says something close to Titus’s ear and begins dragging him back to our side of the alley while bullets still fly.

“I am going to murder him for this stunt,” I hiss.

The big guy puts me on my feet, chuckling under his breath. “Well, at least the two of you are a solid fit.”

Keir provides cover as Easton approaches, but eventually the shots from above cease.

Keir shoves his gun away and stands, turning to me.

I face-plant into his chest.

“Everybody good?” Calder’s voice comes from behind me.

I nod. “I’m fine.”

“I’m going to need a full profile on someone named Lorenzo Vincent,” Easton growls. “Keir, watch this shithead for a moment.”

Keir sighs and releases me, but Calder appears at my side, so I wrap my arms around him instead. He does the same, but pats my back, nodding at something behind me.

Titus still wails, and that might have something to do with the fact he has some very fucked-up shit going on around his knees. Could also be the lack of a left leg below the knee. Or the fact Keir now has his boot on Titus’s temple, but I’m more distracted by Easton down on one knee just in front of me.

If Calder wasn’t helping keep me upright… I’d probably hit the ground.

Easton stretches and snatches my hand. “Calder finished the pack marriage paperwork. Congratulations, love. I can officially call youmy wife.”

“Did y’all want pictures of this?” the guy whose name I still don’t know asks. “I can try to zoom in to avoid the bleeding-out carcass.”

“You’reourwife,” Keir says as Easton shoves a cold ring onto my finger.

“He’s just not great at sharing,” Calder mutters, kissing my temple.

I snort. “You’re really asking me to marry you as my brother writhes in agony?”

“No,” they all three say in eerie unison.

“We’re telling you. Congratulations, we’re married.” Easton flashes a predatory smile. “But I do have an important question. Would you like me to kill him here and now, or should we bring him home with us? I had a cage built under my bed when I thought I might need to go that route to keep you. It’s inescapable. But that’s totally your call.”

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