Page 102 of Stay for Me

“Bullet is right,” Chip yelled over the gunfire hitting the other side of the boulder, pieces of it flying onto our helmets. “We gotta get the fuck out of here.”

“Agreed. I—”

Another wave of heavy gunfire fell over Chip and me.

Instinctively, I grabbed his shoulder, pulling him further down as I looked over to Bullet, who was moving to the back to the Humvee, firing back. I lifted my gun over my head, firing blindly as Chip stayed down. I was too busy shooting to feel his blood soaking into my uniform.

When the gunfire stopped, my eyes shot over to Grayson, relief hitting me to see him alive. “Alright, Chip,” I grunted, sitting up. “Let’s mo—” I bent my head, seeing Chip’s body roll off my legs, landing in the sand with a quiet thud.

“Chip?” I called, hooking the strap of my gun over my head, swinging it around to my back before clawing my way to him. “Anthony!”

Nothing. I grabbed his shoulder, rolling him back to me.

My stomach sank, my breath halting.

Anthony “Chip” McGee was dead. Half of his face was gone. Blood oozing from his chest, shoulder, head, and neck. I put my hand over his heart and bent my head.

Fuck.

Fucking fuck.

He had a wife and two young boys at home. Without delay, I pulled off his tags and stuffed them in my pocket.

“MAGS!”

My head snapped up, finding Grayson running towards me, waving his hands.

Then, all I felt was heat.

All-consuming heat.

My ears rang as flames appeared around me, and then, everything went black.

Present Day. Hallow Ranch.

Isteppedoutontothe porch, finding Kings leaning over the railing, hat tipped back as he studied the moon. I said nothing, staring at his back and waiting.

“Mags, you’ve been with me a long time,” he stated, not moving an inch.

“Why are you here, Kings? You should be in bed with your wife,” I stated, my voice neutral despite the emotions coursing through me, tightening my muscles, poisoning my bloodstream. Before he’d pounded on my fuckin’ door, Diana had seen the one thing I never let anyone see.

My burn.

Even when I was in the bunkhouse, I made sure no one saw me shirtless.

Now, that was all about to change.

“I’m here to make sure two people I care about don’t make a mistake,” Kings said, turning to face me, his arms folded over his chest. “I’m here to make sure this family sticks together.”

I stiffened. “A mistake?”

His gray eyes flashed. “What would you call it?” he challenged.

“Nothing,” I damn near growled. “I would call it nothing.”

“I’ll break your fucking jaw, you lie to me again, Mags,” he threatened darkly.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it.

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