Page 26 of Thirst in the Mountains

“I have everything I need,” I say as I head to the back. “I have her.”

I shove the flare into the gas tank, then push the truck as hard as I can, grunting and straining as it picks up speed. Tires crunch over gravel. Angelo’s screams echo through the silence of the mountains.

The weight leaves my hands as gravity takes over and the truck rolls off the cliff, vanishing into the night.

There’s a few seconds of silence before a crash and a thunderous explosion lights up the sky in orange and red.

I stand there, breathless, chest rising and falling, as the orange sky turns black again.

It’s over.

And I don’t feel a damn thing but peace.

Because I’d do it again.

In a heartbeat.

For her, there’s no line I won’t cross. No law I won’t break. No man I won’t kill.

She’s the only thing that matters.

CHAPTERTEN

Lucy

I’m sitting on the porch, biting my nails when Emmanuel returns. I leap up and run over to his car, desperately hoping to see that he’s okay, and I’m really hoping I get to see that adorable furry face I love so much in the back.

Emmanuel looks okay, but I don’t see Cutter. The backseat looks empty.

My stomach sinks. My heart breaks.

He didn’t find my dog…

The engine stops and the door opens. Emmanuel steps out, massive and deadly. He’s covered in blood, but he doesn’t seem to be hurt with the effortless way he’s moving.

“I got him,” he says as he opens the back door.

I drop to the ground, sobbing with relief and gratitude.

It feels like a dream as Emmanuel walks over with Cutter in his big strong arms.

“Thank you,” I say between sobs as he drops to a knee in front of me, presenting me with my dog. “Thank you so much.”

Cutter lifts his head weakly and looks at me with tired eyes. I pet him and he licks my wrist.

“The tranquilizers are wearing off,” Emmanuel says softly. “He should be back to normal after a good night’s sleep.”

“Let’s bring him inside.”

I follow him in, marveling at Emmanuel’s large back and how easily he’s carrying my enormous dog. He’s so gentle with the way he lowers Cutter onto his round bed in the living room.

I swear I fall even deeper in love with this man when he leans down and gives Cutter a soft kiss on the face. His hands could crush someone—I'veseenthem do it. Thick, calloused, and dangerous. He’s all muscle and violence when he needs to be, but with me and with Cutter? He’s pure gentleness. I know he would never hurt us and that’s the sexiest thing about him.

He leans back and I take a turn, kissing my dog and whispering that everything is going to be okay. Cutter’s eyes close and he falls asleep, the tranquilizer still flowing through his bloodstream, putting him out for the night.

“What happened?” I whisper when we head into the kitchen, leaving Cutter to rest.

I pour him a glass of water and Emmanuel drinks the whole thing down in one gulp. “It’s probably better that you don’t know the details.”

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