Page 59 of Trigger's Temptation

“What the fuck is this?” Benton asks, tossing out a cigarette.

“Where’s the women?” Capone growls.

“Where’s that bitch of a cop?”

I step from behind Trigger with my gun drawn. “I’m right here.”

Benton draws his weapon. When he does, seven other guns are pointed at his head.

The words that come next are calculated, everything I rehearsed in my head playing out in real-time.

“It’s over, Benton. I know you’re my stalker, and I know you are running with the Black Market Railroad. Your terror of innocent women ends tonight.” My voice is unwavering, and my hands are steady as I inch forward. Benton’s smirk falters as I exposed his connections to the Black Market Railroad.

Trigger stays by my side, his presence is an anchor, a reminder that this is the one thing I don’t have to do alone.

"You think I’m stupid?" Benton’s voice is dripping with disdain. "You think you’ve outsmarted me?"

I don’t respond. The only answer I need to give him is the cold, hard truth. "You’ve been playing on both sides for too long. It’s over."

Trigger steps forward, and there is something in his eyes, a deadly calm I’ve come to recognize.This is his world. And I’m in it now.

“Where are the missing women?” I growl with agitation. I’m done playing these fucking games.

“Like I’d fucking tell you, traitor.” Benton spits out.

I approach him before anyone can stop me and clock Benton in the temple with the butt of my gun. He goes down like a sack of potatoes.

“That’s one way of doing it.” Torch shrugs his shoulders and holsters his gun.

Capone kicks Benton with his boot. “Get this piece of shit to the van. We’ll get answers out of him one way or another.”

Trigger approaches me and kisses the side of my head. “Proud of you, Kitten.” He turns me so I’m facing him, his blue eyes are staring into mine with love and unadulterated passion. He leans in and kisses me. “I love you.”

I inhale his scent and bask in the praise. I have never had someone tell me they’re proud of me. “I love you, too, Carter. From the bottom of my toes to the top of my head. I love you.”

After tonight, I know being Trigger’s Ol’ Lady is more than wearing his patch or having his ink. It’s standing by his side in the fight, supporting him in his darkest moments, battling together, and trusting him completely.

I can’t deny the part of me that wants this, wants him, despite all the risks. The kind of love that comes from a life like mine isn’t pure, isn’t safe, but it’s real.

And that’s all that matters.

Chapter 24

AERIANNA

A couple of days after the Club took Benton, I find myself outside FBI headquarters, contemplating my next move. I know what I have to do. I know this is the right choice. The weight of the badge in my hand feels heavier than ever. It’s not just metal and leather, it’s my past, my sacrifices, my identity. Everything I fought for. Everything I bled for.

And now, I’m about to give it all up.

I step into my superior’s office, my boots clicking against the linoleum floor. I’m wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, a t-shirt, and my Ol’ Lady cut. Special Agent Sharp sits behind his desk, eyes narrowing the moment he sees me. He leans back in his chair, lacing his fingers together, a smug expression plastered on his face.

“You’re late, Agent Faber,” he drawls.

“Not anymore.” I toss my badge onto his desk, and it lands with a hollow thud.

His smirk falters, his eyes darting from the badge to my face. “The hell is this?”

“I’m done.” My voice is steady, stronger than I thought it would be. “I’m resigning, effective immediately.”

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