Page 102 of When He Hunts

“I won’t put a finger on him.” True story. “Scout’s honor.”

“You were never any kind of scout.”

Another true story. He hadn’t been. “That’s right, and Cameron knows exactly what your men are. They’re the scouts. The law-abiders. He knows they will keep him alive. He has no such certainty when it comes to me. He’s scared of me, and he should be, and Iwillmake him talk.”

Gray considered Ronan’s words. Weighed them a little too long before he grudgingly nodded. But then he said, “A location isn’t enough. If I go in with sirens screaming, I won’t get the intel we need. The guy will instantly panic and split. He’s gonna have guards all around him. Probably at the perimeter of any building he’s using.”

Yeah, he would. Marcus would be a cautious prick.

“He’s expecting Luna to be delivered to him.” Gray’s gaze dipped to Luna. “He’ll have any guards demanding to see her. If they don’t see her, there will be no access to Marcus. He’ll get a warning that something is up. He’ll be in the wind. And?—”

“He’ll keep hits on me and Ronan,” Luna finished.

Another nod from Gray. “We don’t want Marcus walking?—”

“Then I’ll be given to him, exactly as promised,” Luna cut in to say. Why the hell did she have to sound so brave and determined? “His guards will see me. They’ll make sure I am sent straight to him. I can be wired or loaded down with whatever tech you need in order to get his confessions recorded. We’ll lock him away forever. Then I’ll be free.”

Free of me.“That’s not an operational plan,” Ronan growled. “Because maybe he sees you, and he shoots you on sight. Did you consider that option before you decided to risk yourself?”

She was staring straight at him again. “Then maybe I need a bulletproof vest.”

Maybe she needed a lot more than that. “Doesn’t help if you get a bullet to the brain.”

She flinched.

“Well, ifyoutrade her…” Gray’s ever-so-careful words. “Then you can make sure she doesn’t get a bullet to the brain.”

Sonofa— “That was the master plan you were working on for the last few moments, huh?” He’d practically felt Gray’s mind spinning. “For me to take Luna in? For me to take the place of Cameron as the bastard selling her out?”

“I do think Marcus will be delighted to see you.” Gray lowered back into his chair. “Delighted or he’ll piss himself in fear. Whatever. But if you go in, you can protect her. You can get Marcus’s confession. You can end all of this for her. Give her life back to her.”

He wanted Luna to have a life. He also wanted a life with her. “I’m done.”

Luna sucked in a breath. And, fourth time—she tried to rise. He pulled her right back.

Seriously, what the fuck? “I’m not done with you, princess. I walked away once. Pretty sure if I try it again, I might as well cut out my own heart and toss it at your feet.”

Her hands rose to grab his shoulders and hold on tightly. “What are you saying?”

Oh, Ronan thought that he’d been pretty clear. But he’d try again. “Gray, I want out. I want to be clear of this life.” The words were for Gray, but he could not look away from Luna.

“Why?” Luna whispered.

“Because I think it’s time for some adventures.”

Her lower lip trembled.

His head leaned toward her. Right before his mouth pressed to hers, he confessed, “I love you, princess.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

“I’ll giveyou two minutes with Cameron. Two,” Gray stressed. “But you can’t leave a mark on him.”

No marks would be necessary.

“I’ll get things arranged.” Gray stalked out of the small office. Shut the door behind him. And, finally, Ronan could be alone with Luna. His Luna. His?—

“What in the hell, Ronan?” Her fingers bit harder into his shoulders. “Now you say you love me? Now? When we’re about to go out and have some intense face-off with the man who wants us both dead? You choose now as your moment?”

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