Page 34 of The Wrangler

His presence steadied her, even as she stepped into the warehouse’s open space. A single overhead light flickered, casting eerie shadows across the cracked concrete floor.

Nico Alvarez stepped out from the darkness.

12

JESSE

Jesse adjusted the scope of his rifle, sighting in on the man who was about to die.

The abandoned warehouse was a sprawling mess of rusted metal, shattered glass, and decay—perfect for an ambush, perfect for an execution. His grip tightened around the barrel as he watched Keely step inside, her stride confident, her chin high, every inch of her radiating calm control.

But Jesse knew better. He could see the pulse flickering at her throat, the slight hitch in her breath as she took in the dozen or so men spread throughout the space. She wasn’t afraid, not exactly, but she knew she was walking into the jaws of a predator.

And Jesse was one breath away from ripping those jaws apart.

“Keely’s inside.” Dawson’s voice crackled through Jesse’s earpiece. “We’ve got eyes on the perimeter. No snipers. No lookouts. Alvarez came in cocky.”

Reed’s voice was sharper. “That doesn’t mean shit. Stay sharp.”

Jesse barely heard them. Jesse focused on Keely and how Nico Alvarez leaned against a rusted-out support beam, a cruelgrin twisting his face. His attire—dark slacks, an open-collared shirt, and a gold chain gleaming against tanned skin—showed a man who thought he was untouchable.

Jesse’s finger twitched over the trigger. He wanted to end this now. One shot, one kill. But Keely needed time to the evidence they needed. He forced himself to breathe.

The second she got what they needed, the second Nico lowered his guard, Jesse was going in. And if anyone so much as looked at her the wrong way, he’d make sure they regretted ever being born.

Even though they weren’t in the room, they had good vantage points and their comms system ensured they could hear and record every word.

Keely stopped five feet from Nico, crossing her arms over her chest. “You don’t waste time, I’ll give you that.”

Nico tilted his head. “Neither do you,cariño.That’s why you’re here, yes? You want this done. No more running.”

Keely snorted, playing her part. “I don’t have a choice. You made sure of that.”

Nico chuckled, the sound slick and mocking. “You always have a choice,chica.You could’ve disappeared, changed your name, gone off the grid. But instead, you came to me.” He stepped closer, eyes gleaming with dark amusement. “Why?”

Jesse listened through the earpiece, every muscle in his body locked down tight as he watched the scene unfold through his scope.

Before Keely could react, Nico moved, closing the space between them in a flash. Jesse’s jaw clenched as Nico grabbed her wrist, yanking her in close until his face was inches from hers. Keely stayed still, her body language calm, controlled—but Jesse knew better. She was fighting every instinct to lash out, to shove Nico back, to put space between them. But she didn’t. She couldn’t. Not yet.

Nico’s voice came through the comms, smooth and mocking. “You seem awfully confident for a woman with no leverage.”

Jesse tracked the way Keely lifted her chin, keeping her voice steady. “I’m not stupid. I assume you’ve done your homework and know who my brother is. You and I both understand that if I end up dead or missing, my brother and his team won’t stop hunting you. I don’t think you want to spend your life looking over your shoulder any more than I do. It’s in both of our best interests to conclude our business and walk away.”

Jesse’s trigger finger itched as Nico studied her, dragging out the silence. Nico laughed.

“Fair enough,” Nico said, loosening his grip slightly. “Maybe I underestimated you.”

Jesse growled low in his throat.

Gavin’s voice came through the earpiece, tight and controlled. “She’s handling it. Hold.”

Jesse didn’t want to hold. He wanted to put a bullet through Nico’s skull and drag Keely out of there. But Keely had been determined, and in the end he had agreed this was their best plan.

And Jesse? Jesse had let her walk away from him, straight into danger. He swore to himself that this would never happen again. Jesse watched through the scope as Nico ran a slow hand over his jaw, considering. Then he moved in close, too close, leaning down so his breath brushed against Keely’s cheek.

“Let’s say I believe you,” he murmured, grasping her chin and tilting her head back to search her face. “What’s to stop me from taking you for insurance?”

Jesse’s world went red. His finger curled around the trigger.

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