Page 173 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He swore. “The old man’s losing it. Oh, my gosh,” he lamented. “I can’t believe he went behind my back and convinced you to do something so stupid. People in the audience were videoing you, Delaney. It won’t take long for the word to get out that you’re here.”

She jutted out her chin. “I know, that was the point. And it wasn’t stupid.”

“What?” he fired back.

She straightened her shoulders, looking him in the eye. “It wasn’t stupid,” she repeated. “Your grandfather’s right. We can’t keep running. We have to face Hugh. On our own terms, on our own turf. That’s the only chance we have.” The truth of her words settled into her heart as she spoke them, letting her knowshe’d made the right decision. “Heaven favors the righteous cause,” she said quietly.

“Are you listening to yourself? Hugh’s a cold-blooded killer.” There was a crazed look on his face.

She balled her fists. “Don’t you think I know that?” Her voice rose. She locked eyes with him. “I’m tired of running. We have to end this thing once and for all.”

He shook his head, sounding weary and defeated. “I want it to be over too, but at the end of this I want you to still be breathing.”

She stepped closer to him. “Look at me.”

He grunted.

“I said look at me,” she ordered.

Reluctantly, he turned his eyes to hers.

“It’ll be okay. Wallace is right. The only way around this thing is to face it head on. I want a life with you, Corbin Spencer.” A lump formed in her throat. “I love you.”

He blinked in surprise, a tiny smile flickering over his lips. “I can’t believe you said it out loud.”

She touched his face. “Like I said, I want a life with you, Corbin Spencer. A good, long, fruitful life away from the fear. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

His eyes went soft. “I love you too. And I want that same thing.”

“Good, we’re in agreement.” She squared her jaw. “From this point forward, no more running.”

A resolved expression came over him, reminding her how much of a warrior he really was. “No more running,” he repeated, a fierce light shining in his eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Pieces started falling like dominos when Corbin and Delaney got back to the cabin. Addie came in behind them, demanding to know why Corbin hadn’t told her Delaney’s real identity. Tears rose in Addie’s eyes when Delaney told her all that was happening. She looked at Corbin, fear streaking her expression as she asked. “What’re we going to do?”

A second later, Corbin’s secure phone buzzed. It was Sutton saying that he’d seen the video of Delaney online. Then he dropped a whammy—a shootout had taken place when his guys tried to capture Hugh. Three of Sutton’s guys had been killed, along with the woman posing as Delaney. Hugh had killed her himself, after he found out she wasn’t Delaney. Hugh had lost half a dozen men, but probably didn’t give it a second thought. Sutton was sure Hugh was on his way to Colorado.

Corbin’s gut churned. Pops was a fool. He’d put them all in danger. Sutton was sending a team of guys in a private plane, due to arrive in less than three hours. While that was great, Corbin knew he couldn’t trust Delaney’s, and now his family’s, fate to a group of strangers. There was only one thing he could do. It would require him to eat humble pie, but that was okay. He’d do whatever was necessary.

He punched in a familiar number.Please answer, he prayed.

“Hello.”

“Zane, hey, it’s Corbin.”

A pause came over the line.

Corbin tightened his hold on the phone. “You still there?”

“Yeah, just surprised to hear from you.”

He swallowed. “I’ve got a situation here. I’m gonna need your help and the help of SEAL Team 7.”

Zane grunted in surprise. “It must be serious if you’re calling.”

“It’s a matter of life and death.”

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