Page 105 of Taking Denver

“Swear on Theo.”

My lip trembles, tears filling my eyes. “I swear on Theo.”

I hear him breathe, relax, probably smile, and I hate myself. This might be the last promise I’ll ever make to him, and I’ll break it.

“I love you, Axel,” I say.

“I love you. See you soon, okay?”

I nod. “See you soon. Can you pass the phone to Ethan?”

I wipe my sleeve across my cheeks and keep my voice steady.

“Hey.” Ethan’s voice is soothing, and despite everything, I wish he could hold me. “Are you okay?”

“I am.”

I hear him move somewhere quieter. “You’re not coming, are you?”

“No,” I say. “I’m not.”

Ethan goes quiet. We’ve argued enough times about me leaving this life; maybe he knows now that it’s pointless. I hope he does because I don’t have the strength to fight him.

“Tell him I’m right behind him, okay?” I say. “Make him believe it.”

“I will,” he says. “Be careful.”

Chapter 36

Ranger

Iopen my eyes. My heart races and a shiver works its way down my spine, a cool sweat settling over my skin as I blink away my dream. I don’t remember what I was dreaming about, but something has unsettled me so intensely that I’ve been pulled from what felt like a deep sleep.

I sit up, listening. Maybe Axel has come home, but it’s doubtful. It’s unlikely he’ll show up at the wedding tomorrow. The only other person it could be is Denver, but she’s supposed to spend the night with Harley.

I pull on sweats and a t-shirt, checking the rooms she’s usually in, taking my time because I know she’s close; I just don’t know where. I feel her presence like a pulse. Throbbing. Thudding. Keeping me and the house alive.

I find her in the sunroom, sitting in an armchair, her feet resting on a footstool. The window is at her back, and she’s facing me, the moonlight glowing behind her. She’s ethereal. Stunning.

It looks like she’s showered; her hair is wet, and she’s wearing the oversized t-shirt she usually sleeps in. She looks like Denver.

But something is wrong.

“Was one night away from me too much?” I ask.

Her eyes shift to meet mine, and the look she gives me makes me smile.

I know that look.

I thrive off that look.

That look means power.

“Hayes is dead,” she says.

That’s my girl.

I cross my arms and lean against the doorframe. “What happened?”

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