Page 189 of Fiery Romance

“I’m going to marry you, Island Hayes.”

The video suddenly freezes.

A voice that’s much deeper and more mature than the one in the clip says, “And that day is today.”

The spotlight shifts to the edge of the stage where Taz is walking up with a bouquet. He strides over to Island, who still has her back to the crowd.

The ‘ooohs’ in the room get louder.

I feel like I’m choking.

“Island,” Taz kneels in front of her and takes out a ring box, “will you marry me?”

Say no.

Say no.

Say no.

Island looks into the crowd, smiles and then extends her hand to Taz with a nod.

* * *

I don’t feelthe wind tugging at my hair.

I don’t feel my undone tie slapping my face.

I only know I’m going faster because the speedometer is pushing to dangerous speeds and the scenery outside is turning into a blur.

Everything inside me is numb.

Dead as the corpses I’ve left in my wake.

Maybe this is life’s way of balancing the scales. There’s blood on my hands and whether I was fighting for a good cause or not, all life has a price.

This is mine. Losing the women I love in the most painful way possible.

Gritting my teeth, I throw the car into a parking spot, climb out and storm into the warehouse. My steps lead me to the gun range which is quiet and still.

Moonlight pours over the lawn and glistens against the outline of the mountains in the distance. The air smells damp. Dew is falling heavy.

The wind is howling.

It’ll mess with my aim, but I don’t care.

I rip my jacket off and toss it aside. Marching determinedly, I set up my targets, grab a rifle from the gun locker, take up position and shoot.

The recoil slams against my shoulder, hard enough to leave a bruise, but I remain steady. Eyes on the target.

Next round.

Boom.

My jaw clenches.

My fingers twitch on the trigger.

Island Hayes, will you marry me?

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