Page 60 of Sniper

I squeezed her tight and let my tears fall. “I’m so happy to see you, Tamara and I am so sorry about what happened to you.”

“I thought you were dead when I couldn’t find you.” She pulled back, those golden eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m happy you’re not dead.”

I knew what she was asking, and I didn’t want to burden her any further than I had to. “I had to escape too, and I haven’t stopped running until now.” Understanding passed between us, and we hugged again.

“You cut your hair.”

“I had to,” I replied vaguely. “How did you find me?”

“I got an email with your photo and a plane ticket from some Army investigator. Were you in the military?”

“No, but I know a few guys who served,” I told her and slid a gaze to the amazing man who hadn’t left my side as my haunted past came back to me. “Tamara… I don’t even know where to begin.”

“After you freed me, I found a shelter and then another and another until I figured out what to do with my life. I’m working on my GED and I’m thinking about community college. Now that I have a life again, it’s time to figure out how I want to live it.”

Her words hit me in an unexpected way. They were as true for her as they were for me. The life I’d been denied was now back on the table and I had to decide if I wanted to keep living in fear, or would I live loud and proud and with my whole damn heart? “That’s great Tamara. I’m happy for you.”

“Would it be all right if I checked in with you once in a while? I don’t have anybody and you, well you saved my life.” Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink.

“Of course you can.” I froze. “I don’t have a real phone or any social media right now though because of running away from things, but I want to know how you are and where you are and what you’re doing for as long as you want to tell me.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“Katey, we need to get back inside.” Sniper looked at me, a blank expression that was trying to tell me something.

He had to go. He wanted us to go inside. “Right! Hey Tamara, how about something to drink while we catch up?” I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the men who wanted to buy her could be near.

“Is it okay?” The hesitation in her eyes was heartbreaking and I took her hand in mine.

“Yes. It’s more than okay.” I ushered her inside before turning back to Sniper. I knew he had to be the one who’d hired the investigator. “You’re really trying to be the best man I’ve ever known, aren’t you?”

He shrugged in thataw shuckskind of way that was wickedly sexy. “Your brother is the best man I know, so that’sgood company. I just wanted you to see that you are the hero in your own fucking story Katey.”

Yeah, he had my whole damn heart in his hands. “You be safe and come back to me and we’ll have a long talk about the future.” I loved him and when he came back to me, I would tell him.

“You promise?”

I nodded. “I guarantee it. Now go end this.”

“Consider it over,” he growled and kissed me as if I was everything he ever wished for in a woman. His tongue licked against mine, his lips moved against mine in a slow, intense drag that sent fire roaring through my veins.

It made my heart sing because he was everything I didn’t even know I wanted in a man. I wasn’t sure that men like him existed. Sure I knew not all men were like Ethan, but I had no idea that a man—a biker—like Sniper could be both tough and sweet. “Thank you, Cole. For saving me. For Tamara. For giving up your freedom to protect me.”

“My freedom?”

I nodded and wiggled my left finger. “You married me.” He married me, gave me his name just to save me from Ethan. How could I not love him?

“I did.” His lips met mine again and the kiss was hot but too short. “I am kind of amazing, aren’t I?”

“I’ll let you know when you get back.Husband.”

That smirk in his eyes stayed with me for the rest of the night, while I waited with my heart in my throat for him and the rest of the guys to return.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Sniper

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