Page 36 of The Wrangler

Nico let out a low, amused chuckle. “Or what? You’ll shoot? You wouldn’t risk putting a bullet through your pretty little plaything.” He pressed the knife harder, just enough to nick Keely’s skin. A thin line of red bloomed along the curve of her throat.

Jesse’s blood turned to ice.

Keely barely flinched, her voice calm despite the blade at her throat. “If you were going to kill me, you’d have done it already.”

Nico’s expression darkened. “You really should learn when to shut up,cariño.”

Keely’s fingers twitched, her body shifting just slightly in Nico’s grip. Jesse knew that movement. She was setting him up.

Damn, but he loved her.

His grip on the gun tightened, his stance widening, his entire body aligning for the shot. Nico saw it. His lips curled, his hand shifting the blade, preparing to end this with a single stroke.

Jesse didn’t let him. His bullet tore through Nico’s skull, right between his cold, dead eyes.

For a split second, the world stopped. Then Keely was shoving Nico’s body away, stepping over him like he was nothing more than another problem she’d solved.

Jesse reached her in two strides, grabbing her by the waist and yanking her flush against him, his hands running over her arms, her back, her throat—checking, making sure.

“Are you hurt?” His voice was hoarse.

Keely’s fingers fisted in his shirt. “No.”

Jesse barely breathed before he crushed his mouth against hers, his hand gripping her jaw, owning the kiss, staking his claim. He tasted adrenaline, tasted victory, tasted her.Keely moaned into his mouth, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, her body melting against his like she’d never belonged anywhere else.

Dawson’s voice crackled through the earpiece. “Warehouse is clear. Alvarez is down. We’re moving out.”

Jesse pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. “It’s over.”

Keely let out a shaky laugh. “I’d say you just made damn sure of that.”

Jesse glanced down at Nico’s body, at the gaping hole in his head, and let out a slow breath. Keely was safe, and that was all that mattered.

As the team swept the warehouse, securing weapons, bodies, and any intel they could salvage, Jesse didn’t take his hands off Keely. She was still alive, still breathing, and he needed to feel that.

Reed walked up, his eyes scanning Keely before flicking to Jesse. “Nice shot.”

Jesse didn’t let go of her. “You doubted me?”

Reed huffed. “Never.”

Keely rolled her eyes. “What is it with you guys and the dick-measuring contests? Because I could really use a drink.”

Jesse let out a low growl. “You could really use some goddamn obedience training.”

Keely’s lips curled, her eyes flashing with heat. “That so?”

Jesse’s grip on her waist tightened, his breath ghosting over her ear as he leaned in. “Damn right.”

Keely’s pulse jumped. Jesse felt it, felt the way her body responded, how she softened just a fraction, how she wanted what he was promising.

Reed cleared his throat. “I don’t need to hear whatever’s about to come out of your mouth.”

Gavin walked past, clapping Jesse on the shoulder. “Come on, Reed. Let’s get out of here before someone else tries to kill us.”

Jesse brushed his lips against Keely’s one last time before pulling back. “You ride with me.”

Keely stared at him. “I always ride with you.”

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