Page 86 of Untamed

I clear my throat. He’s offering me the life I’ve been clawing my way back to, and he has no idea I’m about to throw it all away for his daughter. “Yeah,” I force the word out.

He chuckles, clapping me on the back. “Cheer up, Grady, I just handed you what you’ve been working your ass off to prove you could do. You could at least crack a smile.”

“Thank you for the opportunity, Lincoln,” I mutter, shifting on my feet.

He sighs, giving me an odd look before nodding. “Right. Well, I’m gonna go find a seat. Good luck out there, Colter. Not that you need it.”

He turns, gesturing for Skylar to follow, as they head toward the bleachers where Mila sits. I keep my focus on her, willing her to look my way. My heart pounds in my chest and I scrub a hand across my jaw.

And then she does.

She glances my way, a half-smile tugging at her lips. Soft. Heartbreaking. Mine.

I take a step toward her, when someone stands, catching my attention. Brandon. Of course. He stomps down the metal steps, glowering as he heads in my direction.

I lock down every muscle in my body, fighting the urge to crack his fucking face wide open. My fists twitch at my sides as he steps up to me.

“Stop eye fucking my woman,” he hisses.

A slow, cruel smile curves my lips as I lean in close. “She will never be yours, Brandon,” I whisper. “But keep living in that delusional head of yours. You might think you’ve won, but mark my words, your time is running out. You don’t get to blackmailmywoman and walk away unscathed.”

His expression hardens, but there’s a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He steps back, masking it. “I have won. She’s with me.” He pats my shoulder like we’re old friends. “Good luck out there. You got what you wanted—and I got what I wanted.”

My jaw tightens, as my body vibrates with anger. He flashes me a triumphant smile, before turning on his heel, and heading to the concession stand. I exhale, shoving my hands in my pockets before I kill the bastard, and glance at Mila. She’s watching me, concern etched across her beautiful face. I shake my head, flashing her a smile. Then without caring, I press my fingers to my lips and hold them up to her. Her eyes widen as she looks at her father and brother, but they’re paying no attention. I grin.

And then Mila finally smiles that smile, the one that lights up her whole face and nearly brings me to my knees.

I sigh, allowing the weight of what’s coming to settle deep in my chest.

Because one thing’s for certain. I’m about to fuck up my whole world.

But for Mila?

It’ll be worth it.

Colter. Colter. Colter. Colter.

My name echoes through the arena, the crowd chanting it like a prayer. I just took first prize and with it, my ticket to Las Vegas. Adrenaline surges inside me, my heart hammering in my chest. But it’s not the win that has me feeling this way.

It’s what I’m about to do next.

This is it.

I’m about to fuck it all to hell.

I leap off the podium without a second thought, and race across the arena with one person locked in my sights. The crowd erupts, probably thinking I’ve lost my damn mind. And maybe I have. Because this is it. No more waiting. No more second guessing. I’m free falling with no clue where I’ll land, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I clear the metal fence in one swift move, and take the bleachers two steps at a time. My heart pounds harder and it’s Mila’s wide-eyed expression, pure shock and something else. Something that makes this risk worth taking. I barely register Lincoln calling my name. And out of the corner of my eye, I catch Brandon’s face draining of color. But none of it matters. Not when there’s her. Dropping to my knees on the bench in front ofMila, I yank off my hat and settle it on her head. Gasps ripple through the crowds along with unmistakable cursing, but all I care about is my woman.

Everyone here knows the hat rule. And I just claimed her—publicly, unapologetically. In front of her father. In front of her brother. In front of the asshole that thought he could take her away from me. In front of everyone.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you sooner,” I start, my voice rough but steady. “But I love you, Mila Becker.”

Her mouth parts, her eyes wild with disbelief.

“What are you doing? Are you crazy?” she whisper hisses, her voice barely audible over the roar around us.

I laugh, cupping her face and brushing my lips against hers. “Crazy about you.”

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