Page 84 of Untamed

Her shoulders slump, tears rolling down her cheeks. The anger is gone, replaced by a sadness I feel in my chest. But I’ve said all I needed. Without another word, I climb in my truck, quickly starting the engine and peeling out of the lot.

I fish my cell from my pocket, pulling up Mila’s number, needing to hear her voice. It’s probably not the right time, but I want to tell her how I really feel. I hit the call button, hearing the dialing tone as it connects to my Bluetooth.

After a couple rings she picks up.

“Colter?” she breathes but I hear the shock in her voice.

“Sunshine,” I rasp, the tension leaving my body at the sound of her voice.

“Colter,” she repeats, this time with a hitch in her voice.

Frowning, my body tightens, as a sick feeling swims in my gut. “What’s wrong?”

“Brandon knows,” is all she says.

I release a sardonic breath. “That’s nothing new. Hethinkshe knows, but he doesn’t know anything for sure.”

“No Colter, you’re not hearing me. He knows… and says he has proof. A video.” Her voice cracks on the last word.

My chest constricts painfully, and I have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. What the fuck? My hands shake as I put my truck in park. I inhale, then exhale trying to steady the rage inside me.

“What do you mean, Sunshine? What video?” My blood pounds in my ears, anger like I’ve never known coursing through my veins.

I hear a door closing in the background, followed by some shuffling and then Mila’s voice trembles through the line. “He’s blackmailing me, Colter. Brandon wants me to end things with you and be with him. If I don’t, he’ll go to my father.” With every word out of her mouth, I squeeze my phone harder. So hard, I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter in my hand. “I-I,” she stutters. “I have to protect you. I can’t let you lose everything when you’re so close to getting everything you wanted. It’s–”

“No,” I cut her off, my voice strained. “No fucking way, Sunshine. I won’t let you do this. I don’t care about the fucking title or winning.” And for the first time in forever, I realize how true it is. I thought being a champion was all I wanted, but now, having been with Mila and hearing her say she’s willing to sacrifice herself for me. I know what really matters.

“Colter, please. I can fend him off for now, but I also need to make him believe that I’m giving you up. He won’t stop until he destroys you, and now he has concrete proof to do that. I’m coming to Texas this weekend. We can talk more then. But for now, stay on the tour Colter. Win. We both have to make sacrifices, and this is mine.” Her voice is resolute.

I shake my head, even though she can’t see it. “No. It’s too much. I don’t give a fuck about anything but you. I’ve shown everyone what I can do, if they can’t see how good I am that’s on them. I’m winning and that’s what matters to sponsors. It’ll be a hell lot easier for me to find other work now.”

“I don’t want you to have to start over again. You deserve this.” She pauses, her tone non-negotiable when she speaks. “Trust me enough to know that I can handle Brandon.”

My jaw clenches, body trembling with anger and helplessness. Though I shouldn’t be surprised, I can’t believe this is fucking happening. First Annabeth, now Brandon.

“No,” I repeat. The thought of him touching her makes me want to kill him. “I won’t let you do this.”

“I have to. For you. Now, I’ll see you in Texas.” There’s a pause, and then the sound of her choked voice cuts through me, cracking the organ in my chest I thought was long gone. “I love you… but I’ve got to go. See you in Texas, cowboy.”

The call ends before I can speak. I stare at the phone, dumbfounded. I don’t know how long I stay, frozen in place, replaying every word Mila just said to me, but when I look out at the dark night sky. I’ve made my decision. It’s about time I manned up.

Over my dead fucking body will I let that asshole blackmail my woman.

Chapter Fifty-One

MILA

I stare out of the plane window, tuning out the chatter around me as I replay every word I said to Colter the other night. Each one shattered me piece by piece, but deep down, I knew it was the right choice. If doing what Brandon demands is the only way to keep Colter safe, then I’ll do it without hesitation.

It won’t be forever. Brandon will get what’s coming to him. I’ll make sure of it.

Still, sadness lingers in my heart. Brandon has been in my life for so long, and when Maverick finds out what his best friend’s done, it will destroy him. My brother won’t tolerate anyone hurting me, not even someone he’s known his whole life. It sucks, but in the end Brandon only has himself to blame for this. I just wish he could see the damage he’s causing, the mess he’s making, and put an end to it before it completely spirals out of control.

I take some responsibility for this shit show. I pursued Colter despite my father’s warnings. But you can’t fight fate. I had no choice in the matter when it came to Colter Grady. He is the other side of my soul. Everything that’s happened, every twist and turn, led us to each other. My dad may think it’s wrong, but nothing has never felt more right in my life.

“I’m gonna tell that asshole straight up. He can’t do this to you,” Nova fumes beside me, snapping me from my thoughts.

I follow her gaze to the front of the plane where Brandon sits with my father, Maverick and, most shocking of all, Skylar, laughing like he isn’t trying to manipulate me into a relationship. My skin crawls.

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