Page 84 of When He Hunts

If he tried to have a life with Luna, a real one, danger would always stalk them. Ronan Walker had made too many kills. Too many enemies.

“Yeah, well, if I’d been bitten after shoving my hand in a freaking tub of snakes, I’d probably hate them, too. Glad I could get you that antivenom in time.”

Because Tyler had been there. When he shouldn’t have been.

A man Ronan could always count on. “Keep her safe.”

“You need backup. Don’t do this alone.”

“I’ll contact Gray.” His lips hitched into a half-smile. “He’ll be waiting for the contact. It’s the whole reason he told you about the hit. He knew I wouldn’t serve her up as bait, but he knew I’d?—”

“Put your own fool self on the chopping block in order to protect her? Yep, noted. Gray is a sneaky SOB that way. I’ve always hated his mind games. One day, he’s gonna find a woman who is even better at mind fuckery than he is. When that blessed day happens, I will be laughing my ass off.”

They both would.

The waves rocked gently against the shore. “Maybe…” Ronan stopped. Maybe what? Maybe he’d trap Marcus, find the evidence to absolutely bury the creep for the rest of his life, and then Ronan could come back and live happily ever after with Luna?

Hitmen didn’t get happily-ever-after endings.

More than that, Luna deserved better. She didn’t deserve a fake life with a fake name. She deserved a stage. A crowd clapping for her. She deserved all of her adventures. A husband who worshipped her and touched her with hands that weren’t blood-stained.

“Okay, so now you’re looking all pissed and grim. Want to tell me what you’re thinking about?”

“Killing Luna’s husband.” An honest reply.

The wind blew lightly against him.

“Uh, aren’t you her husband?”

He was her pretend husband. One day, she’d have a real husband. Someone who kissed her and loved her and gave her kids.

Ronan had been thinking about killing the faceless bastard.

“Bro, you have some issues.”

Some? The wind blew against him once more. In the distance, it seemed like the sky was darkening. If a storm was coming, travel off the island would be harder. They might have to suspend the boats. Good. He could get out now, before the storm hit. Then Luna wouldn’t be able to leave even if shedidmanage to get away from Tyler and Esme. Which she would not do. The storm would trap her. “Tell her…” He stopped.

“I think you should tell her yourself. No one likes to be abandoned.”

Fuck. “It wasn’t real. It was all just pretend.”

“Yeah, that isnotwhat I want to tell the woman. I don’t like breaking hearts.”

Those words hadn’t been for Luna. He’d said them to convince himself. Their relationship had just been pretend, though it had certainly felt like the most real thing in his life. “I’ll never forget her. She should have every adventure she wants. And soon, she’ll be safe. No more worrying about the darkness. I’m taking it out of her life.” He stood. She was snorkeling again. Having the time of her life.

Luna, I think you were the best time of my life.

His hand rubbed over his chest. Fuck. He was going soft. Maybe it was time to get out of the business. After he eliminated one final problem. “Either I’ll get the evidence to lock Marcus away for the rest of his days or I’ll bury him in the ground.” A roll of his shoulders even as his hand dropped back to his side. “One way or another, Luna will get her life back.”

It would be a life without him.

One final look, and he turned away.

“I think this is a mistake.” Tyler’s low voice.

Ronan stilled. “If someone was sending a parade of eager killers after you, would youwantEsme close by? Or would you keep her the fuck away?”

Tyler didn’t speak. But Ronan knew the truth. Tyler would live and die for his Esme.

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