Page 91 of Torched

“You and what army, hothead? You tried it once. You failed.”

“We didn’t fail,” Jeremy pitches in, his voice steady and calm. “We never fail. The only reason you’re still alive is because we still hoped you were under the influence of Junior.”

“Ah, that’s right. You three also still believe in leprechauns and fairies.” She chuckles, then mocks. “You will have the world in your palms in no time, riding your unicorns. I have good faith in you.”

I glance over my shoulder just in time to see Jeremy twisting his body to look at her, an unfamiliar expression taking over his face. His eyes are shooting fire, rage clear in the shape of his parted lips. She’s pushed too far.

“We alreadyownthe world, honey. Now shut the fuck up because I’m sick of hearing you talk.”

He moves to look forward again, while Cristina opens her mouth.

“Jeremy, when did—”

Before she can finish her sentence, he knocks the back of his gun into her face, causing a wail to echo around us. My eyebrows shoot to my hairline and Kane sits up, not wanting to miss any of the sight behind him as he looks into the rearview mirror with a smile ghosting his face.

“I said shut up,” Jeremy says with the same composed energy as we’re used to from him. “I meant it.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Cristina yelps. Blood gushes from her nose, tears glazing in her eyes, but it doesn’t stop Jeremy from repeating the move, this time hitting her cheekbone at the highest point.

“Hard learners, are we? I saidshut up!” he roars.

Cristina shrinks in her seat, not producing any sound this time, her eyes a mix between a glare and straight-up horror while Kane barks out a laugh. I look at Jeremy with wide eyes, and he shrugs.

“I never hit a woman. But she’s not a woman.She is Lilith.” The Devil’s wife.

I can’t even argue with him and instead just throw him a wicked grin as I turn back around while Kane’s chuckles reverberate through the car.

“Hell, if you can get Jeremy to snap, you really are some impish piece of shit.” His foul mood is completely erased and for the rest of the ride, we drive in silence, but Kane and I can’t wipe the smiles off our faces.

Thirty minutes later, we drive up the last stretch of the bumpy road that leads up to the chapel. Three red Jeeps are waiting for us in front of the abandoned building with their men standing in front of the vehicles. They are all wearing camo attire and holding M16s in front of their chests. If Dax really is a treasure hunter, he’s not exactly Indiana Jones. Seems like he’s a mercenary with more ambition.

We all exit the cars, me keeping a firm hold on Cristina before she starts to feel brave and tries to take off, while Kane takes the lead.

“Leave your men outside,” one of Dax’s men booms.

“Not a chance.”

The door to the chapel opens, and Imogen steps out with a gun pressed to her head, my stomach clenching at the sight. Her hands are tied behind her back and her cheek is bruised. I seethe, feeling the strong desire to strangle the man who’s holding her hostage, but the glare on Imogen’s face tells me she’s in full fighter mode. That’s all I need for my heart to jump with pride. It’s the only thing keeping me from taking a shot at his head.

“Let her go!” I shout.

Dax shakes his head, showing his teeth through his beard. “Don’t be rude, Liam. Just come on in. Check inside if you don’t trust me.”

Kane narrows his eyes for a few beats and then signals for Jeremy to check it out. Jeremy trots inside past Imogen and Dax, who make sure his back is pressed against the doorpost with Gen acting like a human shield. He’s followed by half our team as they check the premises. Less than thirty seconds later, Jeremy gives us a nod, confirming the small chapel is empty and we move forward as a unity.

“He stays outside.” Dax lifts his chin to Jeremy, who sends me a questioning gaze.

I nod in agreement, moving my eyes from left to right to signal him to instruct our backup team as he walks out. It’s the perk of working together for several years. We don’t need words with Jeremy. All we need is a glance.

We make it up the small steps, and I keep Cristina’s body close while we pass Dax and Imogen. I let my dark blues connect with her light ones and give Gen a reassuring wink as we walk in. The space is stuffy, dust flickering in the air that’s lit up by the sun shining through holes in the roof.

The door of the chapel closes with a loud thud and Dax moves them both toward the left side while we are standing on the right.

“You got the diamond?”

I pull the cigar box from the back of my jeans, holding it up in the air. Opening the small box to show him the diamond is sitting on the cushions, he nods in satisfaction before I snap it shut again and put it back in my pocket. That diamond is not going anywhere before I have my girl back.

Imogen’s back is pressed against his chest, and his smirk is still in place when a glint of something flashes in his green eyes. “You okay, baby?”

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