Page 83 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

I shrugged. “That’s your prerogative. But when all of this is done, if I still have you, I’m going to be just fine.”

“You deserve better than fine.”

“Then I’m going to be fantastic. Perfect. Set for life. However you want to phrase that.”

He sighed. “I love you too much to watch you lose everything.”

“Funny how you think I had everything to begin with.”

He shook his head before he pulled me against his body. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly as my hands slid up his torso. They fell against his heart and I felt it beating rapidly. I placed my ear against it and sighed with relief, listening to it beat with strength and fervor and passion.

Then Max kissed the top of my head.

“I love you, Dani.”

I smiled. “I love you too, Max. No matter what comes our way. Okay?”

He kissed my head again. “No matter what comes our way, gorgeous.”

27

Max

As I stood there, holding Dani in my arms, I saw lights flash against the wall. I whipped around with her still in my arms, listening as she gasped. She pulled away, but I pulled her back. I clapped my hand over her mouth as she started talking. And as my eyes peered through the blackout curtains over the window, she pulled my hand away from her mouth.

“Door. Now. I’ll stay on the bed,” she said.

I nodded as she pulled away from me. I watched her in my peripheral as she sat on the bed, away from the window and out of sight. She scooted up to the headboard, curling into a ball to try to keep from being seen. Playing right into the plan we had established.

It took a few seconds to get my feet to move.

I was worried about the fear gripping my gut. I’d never been this scared in my entire life. The idea that one bullet could end my entire future made me quake in my boots. And I had to find a way to gain control of my fears.

In, two, three. Out, two, three.

I silently timed my breathing as I reached the door. I peered through the peephole, trying to figure out what the fuck was going on. I looked back over at Dani and saw her staring at me. She looked as if she were about to move, so I held out my hand, silently commanding her to stay put.

The lights on the vehicle that drove up hadn’t turned off yet. I peeked back through the peephole, just to make sure I had my bearings. I heard the softest footsteps on either side of me, with my men prepping themselves in the adjacent rooms. It was the only thing that gave me hope as I studied him on the other side of the door. That short stature. Those broad shoulders. That ratty-ass leather jacket and those black jeans with holes in his pants.

Benji.

Benji was on the other side of the door.

He walked with a limp and his arm was cradled against his stomach. But I saw he was packing heat. On both hips, actually. The bruises on his face and his split lip filled me with pride, but also regret.

Because I should’ve killed that asshole when I had the chance.

A rush of nerves poured over me as my hand fell to the doorknob. I reached my other hand out for the wall and softly drummed my fingers against it. I held my breath as I flipped the lock, sliding the door chain out of place. I turned it slowly and tried my best to control my movements. Because I sure as hell didn’t want to betray how anxious I was about this plan.

Then, as the door eased open, my eyes fell upon a massive black SUV still shining its fucking lights against the window of our motel room.

Benji grinned up at me as I looked down at him. Then the sound of a door opening caught my ear. My eyes traveled over the top of his head and I watched as three other men get out of the vehicle. I studied them as they slammed their doors, obviously wanting to announce their presence. They buttoned up their suit jackets and made their way for the sidewalk, sunglasses covering their faces.

I didn’t recognize them at all.

Then another car pulled up.

Time to start the game.

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