Page 112 of Toxic

“Well, you have your first kill now,” Isla said, patting my shoulder. “You should understand.”

“Not really,” I said after a moment, then laughed when she frowned at me.

“Really?”

I gave her an apologetic look. “I’m pretty sure the only reason I didn’t puke afterward is because I really needed to get Gus somewhere safe before he tried to kill us all.”

“Does that count as her first kill?” Butcher asked out loud. “The bull did all the work.”

“So does your gun. Besides, I shot someone inside the house, too. Daryl saw it,” I pointed out, crossing my arms over my chest. As soon as the words popped out of my mouth, I gave Toxic a look of disbelief. “You guys are making me just as crazy as you are.”

He chuckled and squeezed me. “Welcome to the family, Lightning.”

The rest of the men, and Isla, laughed and started teasing Butcher about the fact that killing with a bull was just as legit as killing with a gun. They didn’t seem to care that I’d shot a man first. The interest was now in bull related murders.

I focused on Toxic and laid my head on his chest. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“I’m gladyou’reokay,” he countered, then frowned down at me. “Remind me to have a talk with you about following orders. Stay inside the house means don’t go outside. It definitelydoesn’t mean sneak into an area where there are four gunmen and release a homicidal bull on them.”

Looking up at him, I searched his gaze, then gave a sheepish smile. “Worked didn’t it?”

He snorted at that. “And we’re going to need to have a talk about that fucking bull, too.”

“He’s fine,” I said, defending my animal. “He just doesn’t like strangers. He’s never harmed me or anyone who I’ve introduced him to.”

“Good thing I didn’t meet him on the first day. I’d have put a bullet through his head.”

“He’s out in the fields with his ladies ninety percent of the time,” I argued. “Gus won’t be a problem in the future. In fact, now he gets to live out the rest of his life here, safe. I can’t send him to the butcher after he saved us all.”

Toxic grunted. “Fine, but if he steps one hoof out of line with you, he’s hamburger.”

I grinned up at Toxic. “You’re seriously so overprotective.”

“Overprotective?” he growled. “A fuck ton of men just snuck onto your ranch and tried to kill you. I’d say I’m the right amount of protective.”

Cupping his cheeks, I kissed him. “Thank you,” I whispered. I shook my head in disbelief. “You didn’t have to doanyof this. You didn’t have to get involved. Not only have you taken care of my ranch, but you’ve taken care of me,andsaved my life. I don’t really know how to repay you for that.”

“You’ve already given me what I want.” When my brows drew together in confusion, he clarified, “You.”

“I don’t understand you,” I admitted. “You could have any woman you want-”

“The only one I want is you. And you made me work hard for you, Woman,” he said with a growl.

I laughed. “I didn’t really think you were doing all this for…me. I thought you were doing it for Keely. Because she asked for your help.”

“That’s what got me out here in the first place,” he said with a nod, “but you’re why I stayed.”

“This is so fucking sweet,” Smoke said, interrupting us. He was mockingly clutching at his heart. Everyone laughed at that.

“Oh fuck off,” Toxic told him, still staring into my eyes. “Otherwise I’ll have the sneaky little hellions spy on you and give me a list of all the sweet things you say to your old lady.”

Smoke, and all the others, shut up pretty quickly.

“But seriously,” Lock spoke up, dragging our attention away from one another. “We’re glad to see that you’ve finally found your old lady.”

“Finally admitted she’s yours,” Ricochet added.

“More like finally convinced her he’s worth being with,” Smoke pointed out.

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