Page 78 of Cosmic Crush

I waited until they came up on the stage before I slid off him, breathing hard.

I’d done it.

CHAPTER21

Loving the Outlaw

Mari

The moment Raider let go of his brother, I sprinted across the stage and threw my arms around him. My heart pounded, my body shaking from the fear I’d felt.

Watching the two of them fight was the scariest thing I’d ever experienced.

He grunted, the force of my hug making him fall back. I held onto him, tears falling down my face.

“It’s alright, sugar,” he whispered. “We did it.”

“You fucking idiot,” I whispered, holding him tighter. “You’re never dueling again.”

“I’ll never have to.”

He relaxed, just holding me to himself.

The only reason I hadn’t interfered was because I believed he could beat Rider. Still, I’d never felt so scared and helpless.

Finally, I sat up and cursed. “Fuck. You’re bleeding. Oh my gods, I forgot you’re shot.”

“I’m alright,” he said again.

He certainly wasn’t. Blood continued to drip from his arm, staining my costume.

“Bullet went clean through,” he hissed.

“Madam!” I yelled. “We need the first aid kit!”

“Already on it,” I heard her call.

There seemed to be a lot of people on stage now aside from the two of us. The three officers were detaining Rider, who was growling and cursing at them. Stella, Zin, and Toras were close by in case we needed them. The other performers and stagehands were bustling around backstage.

“Sir, we have to ask if you want to press charges against the ambassador,” one of the Rhomboan officers said.

Raider sat up, looking over at his brother. He sighed. “I won’t press charges for what he has done to me. But, the woman he murdered–he should have to face consequences for that. I will call my family and they can come. I want all my charges cleared, as for what he did to others…well, I will leave that in your hands.”

The officer nodded and left us.

Madam Moonie came to us with a first aid kit, Max trailing behind her.

Everything from then on seemed to move in a whirlwind. We got Raider bandaged up. Rider was taken away, and I wasn’t certain what would happen now.

Raider’s name was officially cleared.

By the time the dust seemed to settle, it was already midnight. Madam Moonie and Max were rounding up all of the performers and props while Raider and I had left with Stella, Zin, and Toras.

Raider pressed his face to the top of my head, breathing me in.

“Are you sure you two don’t need anything?” Stella asked as Zin’s driver parked inside the ship.

I was exhausted. Emotionally and physically. All I wanted was to take a shower and get in bed with my mate.

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